0:00:48 > 0:00:51The North Atlantic coastline of Northern Ireland
0:00:51 > 0:00:53is a beautiful sight.
0:00:53 > 0:00:59Miles and miles of stunning views, seaside towns, historical ruins
0:00:59 > 0:01:03and world-famous landmarks, like here, at the Giant's Causeway.
0:01:11 > 0:01:15But in the month of May every year, it's the roads which provide
0:01:15 > 0:01:18all the entertainment and excitement.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22Normally open to the public,
0:01:22 > 0:01:26nine miles are closed for motorcycle racing.
0:01:30 > 0:01:34And this is a bike event like no other.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37This is the International North West 200.
0:01:43 > 0:01:44Road racing is one of
0:01:44 > 0:01:47Northern Ireland's oldest sporting traditions.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50This is the scene here at Portstewart
0:01:50 > 0:01:52on a glorious May evening.
0:01:52 > 0:01:55They've been racing here for over 80 years.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01On the streets and through the countryside.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07At speeds of over 200mph.
0:02:12 > 0:02:14Welcome to highlights of
0:02:14 > 0:02:17this year's Vauxhall International North West 200,
0:02:17 > 0:02:21one of Northern Ireland's biggest and best sporting events.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25Many of the giants of motorcycle road racing are here
0:02:25 > 0:02:28to provide some exciting, exhilarating entertainment.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31Here are some of the contenders.
0:02:34 > 0:02:37Ian Hutchinson, a talented Englishman
0:02:37 > 0:02:40and multiple international road race champion.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47Michael Dunlop, from Northern Ireland's famous biking family,
0:02:47 > 0:02:50is one of the biggest crowd-pullers.
0:02:53 > 0:02:57Guy Martin is one of the sport's most popular riders
0:02:57 > 0:03:00often better known as a television personality.
0:03:04 > 0:03:06Also from England, Michael Rutter,
0:03:06 > 0:03:10a veteran with over 20 years' North West experience.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17And local man Alastair Seeley.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21The master of this circuit, he's the event record-holder.
0:03:29 > 0:03:33Alastair Seeley has 17 North West 200 victories,
0:03:33 > 0:03:38so who better to give us a quick 60-second guide to this circuit
0:03:38 > 0:03:40which winds its way through
0:03:40 > 0:03:43the towns of Portstewart, Coleraine and Portrush.
0:03:51 > 0:03:53Well, it's all about Slipstream City,
0:03:53 > 0:03:57they call as a nickname for this place. It's just very high-speed.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00Bikes are in top gear for a long, long time.
0:04:06 > 0:04:10Coming from high speed down to slow speed for the chicanes,
0:04:10 > 0:04:13it's very easy to out-brake yourself.
0:04:16 > 0:04:18It gets quite physical on the big bikes through the coast road.
0:04:18 > 0:04:22You know that you've got the church up through to Black Hill
0:04:22 > 0:04:24is all flicking direction very quickly.
0:04:26 > 0:04:27Hard work there,
0:04:27 > 0:04:30but the satisfaction is we get to Juniper Hill
0:04:30 > 0:04:32where they say that's where the races are won or lost.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34It depends who's behind you as well.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37Some riders are better on the brakes than others.
0:04:39 > 0:04:41Already we have cracked the 200 mile an hour this week,
0:04:41 > 0:04:44but if we can get the wind blowing in the right direction
0:04:44 > 0:04:45and a tailwind,
0:04:45 > 0:04:47with my stature, my size and my machinery,
0:04:47 > 0:04:50I'd like to see us try and take the speed record.
0:04:54 > 0:04:59Well, Seeley has made an impressive start to this year's North West.
0:04:59 > 0:05:03Despite a mistake early in the first race, he recovered to secure a win
0:05:03 > 0:05:05in the superstock class
0:05:05 > 0:05:09and stretch his record number of victories to 18.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12And Seeley is in pole position for this, the next race,
0:05:12 > 0:05:14the supersports.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16Well, I'm joined on the grid
0:05:16 > 0:05:18by British superbike rider Michael Laverty.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21Michael, Alastair Seeley very much the man to beat.
0:05:21 > 0:05:22Yeah, definitely.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25In my opinion, the favourite today. For all classes.
0:05:25 > 0:05:27Every race he is entered in, he is the favourite,
0:05:27 > 0:05:30and he's at home on the Kawasaki,
0:05:30 > 0:05:32in supersport, on the BMW, he just...
0:05:32 > 0:05:35In superstock race, he just looked like he had
0:05:35 > 0:05:36an extra little bit in the locker,
0:05:36 > 0:05:38and that's going to be tough for the guys
0:05:38 > 0:05:41to kind of rise to that challenge, to defeat him today.
0:05:41 > 0:05:46- But I can see him extending his winning record today.- OK, enjoy.
0:05:46 > 0:05:47It's time to race.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50- COMMENTATOR ONE: - It's not really perfect conditions,
0:05:50 > 0:05:51but here we go anyway,
0:05:51 > 0:05:54with Alastair Seeley on pole from Lee Johnston and Michael Dunlop.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56Second row. There is Martin Jessopp.
0:05:56 > 0:05:58Two wins to his name now at the North West 200.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00Dean Harrison and James Hillier.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02Peter Hickman. Ian Hutchy, a bit low-key.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04William Dunlop likewise.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06The youngster there, Adam McLean
0:06:06 > 0:06:09beside the mature rider Bruce Anstey and James Cowton.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12We like veteran as we get older. Who is it going to be, then?
0:06:12 > 0:06:14As we watch the lights and get ready for the off.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17Seeley on pole, nearest the camera. Looking up, waiting to go.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19Gearlink Kawasaki off the line,
0:06:19 > 0:06:21but has he done it, or has Michael Dunlop done it?
0:06:21 > 0:06:23Oh, it's going to be close.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26Looks to me like it's number 34, Alastair Seeley, Gearlink Kawasaki.
0:06:26 > 0:06:27We're on board with Dean Harrison
0:06:27 > 0:06:29who got a good start from the second row.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32But what about the mature man there, the veteran, Bruce Anstey,
0:06:32 > 0:06:34dived down the inside.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36That was a start from Bruce Anstey,
0:06:36 > 0:06:37but it's Alastair Seeley in the lead.
0:06:37 > 0:06:41Lee Johnston, Hutchy, Martin Jessopp, Bruce Anstey.
0:06:41 > 0:06:42Dunlop at the back of that little group.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45Then it's James Cowton and Dean Harrison up the inside
0:06:45 > 0:06:47as the leaders get round clear.
0:06:47 > 0:06:49Oh, that was very, very close there.
0:06:49 > 0:06:5236, Jamie Coward we saw diving up the inside.
0:06:52 > 0:06:53So, we climb up.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56As you said, not perfect conditions, but it's drying all the time.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59They're on dry tyres. 34, Seeley looking good.
0:06:59 > 0:07:04As is number four, Ian Hutchinson on that brand-new R6 Yamaha.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07Off the start line we go with Jamie Cowton.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11Screaming through first, second, third gear.
0:07:11 > 0:07:12Of course, they've had a sighting lap,
0:07:12 > 0:07:16but tyres still a little bit cool as they go through Millbank Avenue.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18Then it's Primrose Hill. Round the outside!
0:07:18 > 0:07:22Brave move there from Jamie Cowton. Right round the outside of everyone.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26So, Seeley over the coast road. Look at them. All riding almost...
0:07:26 > 0:07:29Their bodies all moving at the same point on the track.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32Getting close to it. Tom Weeden, Taylor Lindsay Racing Honda,
0:07:32 > 0:07:33and again, look at those eyes.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36They are looking 250 metres up the road,
0:07:36 > 0:07:39because that's where you're going to end up in split seconds.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42It's all about focusing a long, long way in front of you.
0:07:42 > 0:07:43- Oh!- Oh, dear!
0:07:43 > 0:07:46And that was a bit of a lack of focus, I think.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48Just locked the front up going into a chicane.
0:07:48 > 0:07:52Well, that was, luckily, one of the gentle parts of the circuit,
0:07:52 > 0:07:56so I'm sure Tom Weeden will be walking away from that
0:07:56 > 0:07:58and kicking himself as he does so.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00As we ride, again, with Alastair Seeley.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03Who is behind us? Is there going to be a slipstream?
0:08:03 > 0:08:05That Gearlink Kawasaki singing out there.
0:08:05 > 0:08:07The gearing sounds perfect. Back through the gears.
0:08:07 > 0:08:11Oh! There we go - Jessopp. Martin Jessopp.
0:08:11 > 0:08:16He has already won a couple of races here this weekend, on Thursday.
0:08:16 > 0:08:17He's really got it across him now.
0:08:17 > 0:08:19Martin Jessopp knows that he can do it,
0:08:19 > 0:08:22and once you know, then you can do it.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24Again, that's what the folklore says.
0:08:24 > 0:08:26We'll see if it's true for Martin Jessopp,
0:08:26 > 0:08:29we'll see if Alastair Seeley can start notching up the wins.
0:08:29 > 0:08:30Look at it.
0:08:30 > 0:08:341, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15...
0:08:34 > 0:08:38- Unreal. What a freight train we have here.- There are so many.
0:08:38 > 0:08:43The entire first wave, in fact, is in the train and in the slipstream.
0:08:43 > 0:08:47And here it goes, working for Alastair Seeley.
0:08:47 > 0:08:48Yeah, the little lad.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50The Wee Wizard, we call him, and he is quite tiny.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53He's very capable of getting himself hidden behind that screen,
0:08:53 > 0:08:56trying to keep himself on the bike.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59Bumpy part of the course here as they all get on the brakes.
0:08:59 > 0:09:01Bruce, again. Fairly late on the brakes.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04Hutchy even later. Jams it down the inside.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06That's short-circuit stuff from Ian Hutchinson, isn't it,
0:09:06 > 0:09:08on this chicane?
0:09:08 > 0:09:11That's 600 racing. That's why we all love it so much.
0:09:11 > 0:09:13And Alastair Seeley will be liking it
0:09:13 > 0:09:14better than anybody at the moment,
0:09:14 > 0:09:16but can he make the break?
0:09:16 > 0:09:18That's his trademark race craft here, isn't it?
0:09:18 > 0:09:20Get away, break the tow.
0:09:20 > 0:09:21That's William Dunlop there.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23William Dunlop just got past Bruce Anstey
0:09:23 > 0:09:27on the very, very fast R6 Yamaha, last year's model.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30He's passing the new model, as well, right now.
0:09:30 > 0:09:34- And Jessopp back in front. - Swapping places in this draft.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37These boys all know that it's the last lap that makes the difference.
0:09:37 > 0:09:39If you're all up in this together,
0:09:39 > 0:09:43then you have an opportunity when the last lap comes along,
0:09:43 > 0:09:45and that's what they'll all be thinking about.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48This is the three-cylinder Triumph we're just passing here right now,
0:09:48 > 0:09:49the Riders machine of Jessopp.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52On board with Alastair Seeley. Look at this. Three abreast.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55William Dunlop has made up so much ground.
0:09:55 > 0:09:56That bike is fast.
0:09:56 > 0:10:00He's going from the inside line. Slotted into second place.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03Oh, there was almost a touch there! Did you see that?
0:10:03 > 0:10:06Yes, I did, and it was Bruce Anstey that got pushed out wide,
0:10:06 > 0:10:08but he's soon cutting it back in again right now.
0:10:08 > 0:10:13So William Dunlop there, number 16 Caffrey Racing R6 Yamaha.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16He's right behind Alastair Seeley as they come onto the coast road.
0:10:16 > 0:10:20Left under the bridge and up to this swooping left turn at the crest.
0:10:20 > 0:10:24Yeah, and they're still all bunched up. Looking on the inside.
0:10:24 > 0:10:25Is he going to slot into third?
0:10:25 > 0:10:27Not this time around. Thinks better of it.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30William Dunlop hits the front, though.
0:10:30 > 0:10:31Dunlop at the front.
0:10:31 > 0:10:32I'll tell you what,
0:10:32 > 0:10:35they're slipstreaming along the coast road now, aren't they?
0:10:35 > 0:10:37I mean, it used to just be on the long straights,
0:10:37 > 0:10:39but they're getting a tow along here as well.
0:10:39 > 0:10:40The Yamaha is fast.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42William Dunlop has got the inside line. How brave he is.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44Alastair Seeley is going to be round the outside.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47He owns the chicanes along the coast road, Seeley.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49- He is the man... - Oh, my goodness!
0:10:49 > 0:10:52They're all getting squeezed here. Lee Johnston is down.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54- That was, I think...- Adam McLean, it was, who touched him.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57..touched him and they just got caught...
0:10:57 > 0:10:59But unfortunately Lee Johnston has gone down there,
0:10:59 > 0:11:02the number 13 rider on the Jackson Racing Honda.
0:11:02 > 0:11:04Well, Alastair Seeley, I was about to say, owns these chicanes.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07We keep saying we should rename this one Seeley's
0:11:07 > 0:11:12because he did extraordinary things here starting from a few years ago.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15Now everybody tries it - including William Dunlop, in fact.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17Yeah. William is back in front.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19There is the wet patch going into the chicane.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22He went on the inside line. Nice move from William. Superb.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25The 32-year-old from Ballymena is now in front but not for long.
0:11:25 > 0:11:26Seeley's back at it!
0:11:26 > 0:11:29Seeley is straight back at it, straight back out in front.
0:11:29 > 0:11:33And Primrose Hill and then onto York Corner.
0:11:35 > 0:11:39- Seeley, Dunlop, Hutchy.- Hutchy's not done with either, yet, is he?
0:11:39 > 0:11:40And Adam McClean is not done with...
0:11:40 > 0:11:43As Hutchy thinks about William Dunlop,
0:11:43 > 0:11:47- Adam McLean is having a go at Martin Jessopp, I think.- Yeah.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50Dean Harrison a bit wide there. Gets past.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52- That's Michael, isn't it?- It is.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55Is that the back-end of Michael Dunlop? He's coming along strong.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57This was the pass.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59That was William Dunlop sneaking underneath.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01Alastair Seeley coming out, still with a bit of road,
0:12:01 > 0:12:03but he didn't get the drive off the corner.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05If you go in fast, you come out slow.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08Alastair Seeley's switch back, took the advantage back again.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10It's reaction times at the circuit race.
0:12:10 > 0:12:14That's the move and it was kind of Adam McLean leant on top of
0:12:14 > 0:12:16Lee Johnston a little bit.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19Spots more rain here, look.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21On the screen, there is definitely spots of rain on the screen.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24This is the move from the outside. This is the replay.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26And, really, Lee had nowhere to go.
0:12:26 > 0:12:30He was on the inside and had nowhere to go realistically.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33Here, I'm sure he'll be having words. I'm sure Adam McLean...
0:12:33 > 0:12:37- He's a sensible and...- There, you can see.- Oh, yes.- Diminished grip.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39With that rain flag...
0:12:39 > 0:12:42There is spots of rain here at Station Corner, which is about
0:12:42 > 0:12:45the worst place in the world you'd want it.
0:12:45 > 0:12:48Meanwhile, Alastair Seeley is in front and we ride with
0:12:48 > 0:12:51Bruce Anstey who is not enjoying these conditions
0:12:51 > 0:12:54because everyone else is getting past him now. He's cruising.
0:12:54 > 0:12:55Look at that rev counter.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58He thinks the race is going to be stopped, I think.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00You see the rev counter just at 13,000 and we know it has got
0:13:00 > 0:13:05another two- or 3000 on top of that. He's racing at the front.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08- Alastair Seeley and William... - Oh, here we go.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11They're not stopping, are they, these two?
0:13:11 > 0:13:12Dunlop goes shooting through.
0:13:12 > 0:13:16Late braking Alastair Seeley into University. Hutchy on the inside.
0:13:16 > 0:13:20Sneaks into second place there and it's getting greasy, I think, now.
0:13:23 > 0:13:24A few spots of rain still falling.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27Very difficult on a nine-mile course
0:13:27 > 0:13:30because it can be raining in one place, dry in another.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33William Dunlop looking to add to his tally of wins.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35Ian Hutchinson looking to add to his.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37Michael Dunlop looking to add to his.
0:13:37 > 0:13:41Michael Dunlop is quite low down the list of North West 200 winners.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44And, of course, Seeley is right there at the top,
0:13:44 > 0:13:47especially after Thursday, and he's looking to tackle the podium
0:13:47 > 0:13:50and win tally records of...
0:13:50 > 0:13:54Philip McCallen and Hutchy is looking to tackle the slipstream.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57- That worked for him, didn't it? - Yeah, it did.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59You can start to see a little wetness on those rear tyres.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02Hutchy very late on the brakes. Is he going to get it stopped?
0:14:02 > 0:14:04He's jammed it down the inside,
0:14:04 > 0:14:06Adam McLean slots in there into third place.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09There's Michael Dunlop we're looking at right now in fourth.
0:14:09 > 0:14:14So quick, isn't it? First and fourth... The blink of an eye.
0:14:14 > 0:14:18Straight back out of the slipstream and on the throttle. So, here we go.
0:14:18 > 0:14:22- It's Hutchy out in front at the moment.- It is.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24- But not for long. - But not for long.
0:14:24 > 0:14:26There goes William Dunlop going through.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29Talking of race wins, William Dunlop has four, Michael has five.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32Look how quickly Seeley's coming out behind those.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35It's still all to play for for all of these riders.
0:14:35 > 0:14:37We've still got a dozen bikes in a train here.
0:14:37 > 0:14:41And anyone that's in front is going to encounter the weather first.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44It's always a tricky situation because you don't really know
0:14:44 > 0:14:47how much rain there's been. You can't sort of see it.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50It's on your visor. It's kind of mental rain, we call it.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53It looks worse as we ride with Seeley who has, basically,
0:14:53 > 0:14:56put his indicator on and passed Hutchy coming down here
0:14:56 > 0:14:57into the Metropole.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00Look how late he is, Ian Hutchinson!
0:15:00 > 0:15:04Jams it right down the inside there. I'm not having any of that.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06Pushes Seeley a little bit wide.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08Oh, these short-circuit racers, though,
0:15:08 > 0:15:11they've got these reaction times. They could go either way.
0:15:11 > 0:15:12They're waving at them.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15Seeley's back underneath Hutchy as they go through Church Corner.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18That's not normally a place that you would pass,
0:15:18 > 0:15:21but it is William Dunlop out in front underneath the railway bridge.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24- Still damp on the track, you can see it.- Yeah.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27Over the coast road then and hard on the brakes.
0:15:27 > 0:15:31Hutchy again up the inside. This is like short-circuit racing.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34Change of weight, climbing to the front of the bike.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36These bikes have about 140 brake horsepower.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39Seeley comes back round the outside. Hutchy will be on the inside.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42- Who is going to brake the latest? - Adam McLean probably!
0:15:42 > 0:15:43LAUGHTER
0:15:43 > 0:15:47Seeley managed to get over and take his piece of track that he wants.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50But it is, William is going to lead over the line again.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54Are they going to stop this race? There is spots of rain everywhere.
0:15:54 > 0:15:58William Dunlop leads Alastair Seeley, Ian Hutchinson, Adam McLean
0:15:58 > 0:15:59and then Michael Dunlop.
0:16:01 > 0:16:02And it looks drizzly.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04I don't like the look of this and I'm sure they won't.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07As I said, getting spots of rain on your visor...
0:16:07 > 0:16:11Extremely difficult to know how wet it is on the track.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13Once you start seeing tracks from the tyres, you know.
0:16:13 > 0:16:17Yeah, there's wet on the camera. A big blob of water there.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19Little splashes. That's not just been kicked up.
0:16:19 > 0:16:21Oh, you can see the wetness there.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24Oh, and he is having a big slide. Issues!
0:16:24 > 0:16:27- Oh!- I'm surprised that... Arms are coming out.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29Hutchy has put his hand up.
0:16:33 > 0:16:34Ah, will they stop it?
0:16:34 > 0:16:37- Bruce.- We ride with Bruce. Bruce is retiring.- Yeah.
0:16:37 > 0:16:38Whether he's got a problem
0:16:38 > 0:16:41or whether his problem is the weather...
0:16:41 > 0:16:44I think it probably is, actually. Anyway, look over that patch there.
0:16:44 > 0:16:47And now, as Williams comes out he just gets on the power there,
0:16:47 > 0:16:50first gear, spins up. Clearly getting wear...
0:16:50 > 0:16:52Alastair Seeley takes the advantage.
0:16:53 > 0:16:57Seeley's gone. Seeley has made the break. This could be Seeley.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59Look at Michael Dunlop. Look at Adam McLean!
0:16:59 > 0:17:01If he can do that, I can do that!
0:17:01 > 0:17:03Yeah, thinking, "I'm not sure if I should pass these lads.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05"I'm not old enough to do that."
0:17:05 > 0:17:06Oh, just missed a gear there, Adam McLean.
0:17:06 > 0:17:08Didn't quite get that right.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11I think he went back too many gears, quite possibly.
0:17:11 > 0:17:13Seeley through the Ballysally Roundabout.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16It's reasonably dry here, isn't it? Look at the road.
0:17:16 > 0:17:19We haven't got the same wetness. It all seems to be at the top
0:17:19 > 0:17:23of the circuit near the coast. And on the run out towards University.
0:17:23 > 0:17:27- It's looking better, isn't it? - It is. No red flags coming out.
0:17:27 > 0:17:31They are not stopping it. The rain must have abated, one assumes.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33The battle hasn't abated though.
0:17:33 > 0:17:37This still going on, but Seeley possibly in that little rain shower
0:17:37 > 0:17:41because he is so clever with conditions, Alastair Seeley.
0:17:41 > 0:17:43He can ride fast in poor conditions.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46He's just done exactly that and ridden away from this group.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48Yeah, we saw the diminished grip flag coming out there
0:17:48 > 0:17:51as Adam McLean's Kawasaki bounced into the corner.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55So, Alastair Seeley leads this race.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58Not far to go to the finishing line.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01Bouncing along on this bumpy part of the circuit,
0:18:01 > 0:18:04- but flat-out all the way. - There's the two Dunlop Brothers.
0:18:04 > 0:18:09William, 32, Michael, 28 years old and William the elder gets through.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12Gets past. His bike is faster there's no question about that.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15He's probably slightly narrower built as well which makes
0:18:15 > 0:18:19a difference on... Piercing through the air.
0:18:19 > 0:18:23I'd say that William has that very trick, R6 Yamaha engine
0:18:23 > 0:18:25that seems to be pulling him away.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28Michael is the younger brother but the bigger brother, isn't he?
0:18:28 > 0:18:29A bit more of a wind break.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31He's stocky, is the word I guess you'd say.
0:18:31 > 0:18:35Anyway, there's nothing stocky about this man down the front here.
0:18:35 > 0:18:36Alastair Seeley.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39Absolutely superb around this course.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42This is going for his 19th win here.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45This is going exactly according to his plan, isn't it?
0:18:45 > 0:18:48He came here for wins and a bit of record-breaking.
0:18:48 > 0:18:52He needed to be out in front in this race. That's what he's done.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55Programmes being waved as he goes right at Church Road.
0:18:55 > 0:19:00The two Dunlop Brothers still slugging it out behind him.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02Hickman and Cowton are still together.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05Listen to the sound of that lovely three cylinder machine.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07Martin Jessopp gets passed.
0:19:11 > 0:19:15Seeley is kind of cruising. He's got a 3.5 second advantage now.
0:19:15 > 0:19:16No lap records going,
0:19:16 > 0:19:19but it's looking like very much Phillip McCallen's podium record
0:19:19 > 0:19:24is going to go and he's going to add another win, already having 18.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27This will be his 19th win here at the North West 200.
0:19:27 > 0:19:28Phenomenal stuff.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32And what he's looking for, of course, after that
0:19:32 > 0:19:35isn't win number 20 so much as the four in a day
0:19:35 > 0:19:38- or five in a meeting.- Yeah.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41So, can he do it?
0:19:41 > 0:19:45Can he take all the records that are up for grabs this week?
0:19:45 > 0:19:46That's it.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49One more corner and Alastair Seeley takes that win
0:19:49 > 0:19:51and 19 of them he has now.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54Well, he made that look easy once the rain had given him
0:19:54 > 0:19:57the break and the Dunlops follow him across the line.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00- You can see he's very happy, isn't he?- Oh, yeah.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03Nice way to start your day in tricky conditions.
0:20:03 > 0:20:04There's confirmation of it.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07Four second advantage Seeley has over William Dunlop.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14Hutchy backed out of it in the rain.
0:20:14 > 0:20:18Win number 19. Impressive stuff.
0:20:18 > 0:20:23Just kind of used my head, rode smart.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26The coast road was a bit slippy but managed to work it out where it
0:20:26 > 0:20:29was slippy and grippy and just put the head down in the last lap.
0:20:29 > 0:20:31Had we look again coming out of Magherabuoy,
0:20:31 > 0:20:34seen there was a bit of a gap so just kind of didn't make
0:20:34 > 0:20:37any mistakes and brought it home for another win.
0:20:41 > 0:20:43Seeley in unstoppable form.
0:20:46 > 0:20:50Road racing is part of Northern Ireland's sporting DNA.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54Tens of thousands of people flock here every year to watch
0:20:54 > 0:20:55their heroes compete.
0:20:55 > 0:20:59So, why is this form of motorcycling so popular here?
0:20:59 > 0:21:02I caught up with two former racers to find out.
0:21:09 > 0:21:13It's in our heritage. You know, road racing is Northern Ireland.
0:21:15 > 0:21:16We just love racing.
0:21:18 > 0:21:20You can say what you like.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23I could ride around Silverstone all day long and all week long.
0:21:23 > 0:21:25It would never give you the same satisfaction of racing
0:21:25 > 0:21:27somewhere like the North West 200.
0:21:27 > 0:21:31The sheer speeds that come with it, the hedges flashing by
0:21:31 > 0:21:35and just the craziness about it, the madness of it all.
0:21:37 > 0:21:38These roads are closed.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41These roads all go one way and you're racing on them.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44So, the little kerb that you almost trim going to work,
0:21:44 > 0:21:46your knee is over the top of it come race day.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50Really the most famous world-known person I have raced against
0:21:50 > 0:21:52is Joey Dunlop.
0:21:52 > 0:21:54You know, multi-F1 world champion.
0:21:55 > 0:21:56You never forget Joey.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59He'd got a fag in his mouth and greasy hands
0:21:59 > 0:22:00and he was working on his bike.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03He'd have an engine upside-down in the back of the van and I'd
0:22:03 > 0:22:06probably be looking thinking, "Well, he's not going to be any threat."
0:22:06 > 0:22:09Then he'd put it all together and the fag went out and the visor
0:22:09 > 0:22:11came down and we never saw which way he went.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13The Dunlop name, as you know, is known worldwide.
0:22:13 > 0:22:17I've been walking down the street in Japan with Joey Dunlop
0:22:17 > 0:22:18and, I don't know why,
0:22:18 > 0:22:21but hundreds of people just appear going "Dunlop, Dunlop!"
0:22:26 > 0:22:30He was rather, rather special and such a smooth, stylish rider.
0:22:30 > 0:22:31That was the other thing.
0:22:32 > 0:22:36I have raced against Brian Reade, I have raced against Robert Dunlop.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39I've raced against some of the best road racers in the world.
0:22:39 > 0:22:43I'd better not insult the other guy. Carl Fogarty, who we all know.
0:22:43 > 0:22:44King of the jungle.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48The hairs on the back of my neck stand up when I see that pack
0:22:48 > 0:22:51head off down through Millbank and Primrose.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54The front wheels are up in the air, they're all jostling for position
0:22:54 > 0:22:57down to York Corner and then when I see a helicopter shot
0:22:57 > 0:22:59with them four abreast on a road that's just
0:22:59 > 0:23:05a normal width and they're doing 208 mph, it's hard to explain to anyone.
0:23:07 > 0:23:11Look at the fans who come to the North West 200. 100,000 people.
0:23:13 > 0:23:17But the North West 200 is really where I've made my name.
0:23:17 > 0:23:22I came along here in 1992, excited and wanted to win races.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25I've done something that no-one else had ever done.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28I've won five North West 200 international road races in one day.
0:23:30 > 0:23:35Well, can Alastair Seeley emulate that record of five wins?
0:23:35 > 0:23:40He's certainly looking very impressive and he sealed a hat-trick
0:23:40 > 0:23:42with a runaway victory in wet conditions
0:23:42 > 0:23:44in the first Superbike race.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50With two more races still to go.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56Next up, it's the Superstocks and, Michael,
0:23:56 > 0:23:59Alastair Seeley no doubt will start favourite again.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02Indeed. He'll be looking to get off that treble marker.
0:24:02 > 0:24:04He's only ever won three in a day.
0:24:04 > 0:24:06This is his opportunity to make it four.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09He'll be definitely gunning for that, but he'll have stiff opposition.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11I can see his teammate, Ian Hutchinson,
0:24:11 > 0:24:12being a big challenge this time.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14He's had a quiet day by his high standards.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16These superstock machines, I mean,
0:24:16 > 0:24:19they go as quick almost as the superbikes.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22Through the speed trap sometimes at over 200 miles an hour.
0:24:22 > 0:24:27Unbelievably so for a bike that's so close to the showroom spec bike.
0:24:27 > 0:24:29It's unbelievable.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32The lap time Alastair done in race one was only 0.7 of a second
0:24:32 > 0:24:34off the best ever two wheel lap around this circuit,
0:24:34 > 0:24:37so that just goes to show how close they are in performance.
0:24:37 > 0:24:40Yeah, I can see this being a fight at the front.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43Yeah, I can see it being a very interesting race.
0:24:43 > 0:24:45Over to Richard and Steve.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47We've had just about every kind of weather and now it's
0:24:47 > 0:24:49fine and dandy for the Superstock race.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52Yes, still a bit damp out there and there is still rain in the air,
0:24:52 > 0:24:54but this is the second Superstock race.
0:24:54 > 0:24:56There is your front row of the grid.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59That man again, Alastair Seeley, Michael Rutter, Lee Johnston.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02And, who can bet against Seeley getting another win here?
0:25:02 > 0:25:04Hutchy, Harrison and Martin Jessopp might.
0:25:04 > 0:25:08Michael Dunlop, James Hillier and Horst Sauger there in ninth.
0:25:08 > 0:25:10William Dunlop, Peter Hickman and Dan Kneen.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13We haven't seen a lot of him this weekend, but he is here.
0:25:13 > 0:25:17That's your front row - Rutter in the middle, Seeley on the outside.
0:25:17 > 0:25:19Who gets the start here?
0:25:19 > 0:25:21Johnston is it.
0:25:21 > 0:25:22Yeah, I think it probably was, actually.
0:25:22 > 0:25:26We ride with William Dunlop. He's on a Temple Golf Yamaha R1.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28Dean Harris!
0:25:28 > 0:25:31Dean Harris and Lee Johnston right behind him and then
0:25:31 > 0:25:33that man Seeley was in there in third place.
0:25:33 > 0:25:37You can see those dark clouds up there. I hope they keep the rain in.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40We ride with Hillier looking back at Peter Hickman.
0:25:40 > 0:25:42That was a flying start from...
0:25:42 > 0:25:43Hutchy's gone wide!
0:25:43 > 0:25:45Hutchy has gone deep and wide.
0:25:45 > 0:25:47He just couldn't get it stopped.
0:25:49 > 0:25:51It is a bit scrabbly around there.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53The first corner, really, of the race.
0:25:53 > 0:25:57Dean Harrison back out in front with a good lead
0:25:57 > 0:25:59over Lee Johnston who didn't get away well
0:25:59 > 0:26:01and Hutchy will be kicking himself for that one.
0:26:01 > 0:26:02Still in fourth place, though.
0:26:02 > 0:26:04He didn't lose too much time actually, but it was
0:26:04 > 0:26:07a real deep lunge into that bottom corner.
0:26:07 > 0:26:11The second wave gets away and there's 47 in there.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14That's Alistair Kirk, 45 going through.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17That's Marek Cerveny, isn't it? The Czech rider.
0:26:17 > 0:26:21We spoke to him several times. He loves it here at the North West 200.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23There is nothing like this in the Czech Republic
0:26:23 > 0:26:25so you all need to come here.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27James Hillier, we're looking back.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31There is Michael Dunlop, the number three Suzuki.
0:26:33 > 0:26:35Look at that lot swarming down there!
0:26:35 > 0:26:38- The whole gaggle of them down the front here.- He's about to be mugged!
0:26:38 > 0:26:40He is and he is bugged by Michael Rutter.
0:26:40 > 0:26:44Alastair Seeley, Lee Johnston. Extraordinary stuff.
0:26:46 > 0:26:50Horst Sauger on the number 22 bike there just about to get past,
0:26:50 > 0:26:53by the look of it, but there's so much of that going on in the
0:26:53 > 0:26:55slipstream, especially with the bigger bike.
0:26:55 > 0:26:57- They punch bigger holes in the air. - Yeah, they really do.
0:26:57 > 0:26:59But that man, number 34,
0:26:59 > 0:27:03Alastair Seeley gets to the front straightaway in this one.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06Again, rain in the air. You can see those dark clouds.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08We're riding with Dean Harrison.
0:27:09 > 0:27:13He's had a very good North West 200, but so, too, has Michael Rutter.
0:27:13 > 0:27:16In fact, we've seen a fairly widespread of performance and
0:27:16 > 0:27:20Ian Hutchinson has just been a daemon on the brakes all week, hasn't he?
0:27:20 > 0:27:23Yeah, the key to the North West is having a bike that
0:27:23 > 0:27:25has a straight line over the bikes,
0:27:25 > 0:27:27having one that stops really well and one that's fast.
0:27:27 > 0:27:29Other than that, it doesn't matter.
0:27:29 > 0:27:31And you need a rider who does all of that as well.
0:27:31 > 0:27:33Yeah, the rider has a lot to do with it.
0:27:33 > 0:27:36Dean Harrison, nothing wrong with that silicon engineering,
0:27:36 > 0:27:38Kawasaki, as far as speed is concerned.
0:27:38 > 0:27:40They're just touching each other. The knees were touching.
0:27:40 > 0:27:44- Flames out of the back of Hutchy's Superstock bike.- I tell you what...
0:27:44 > 0:27:47Dean Harrison goes straight on!
0:27:47 > 0:27:50- Oh, the shame. - Making sure he's stopped.
0:27:50 > 0:27:53And away you go. Away he goes.
0:27:53 > 0:27:55Disappointing there for Dean Harrison.
0:27:55 > 0:27:57He got wrapped up in the moment, didn't he?
0:27:57 > 0:28:00Yeah, he got a bit excited there with all the outbraking going on.
0:28:00 > 0:28:02Here we go. Standby for some more outbraking.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05It's Hutchy Seeley, touchy-feely time.
0:28:05 > 0:28:07- Here they go.- This is it.
0:28:07 > 0:28:09Unfortunately, I think what it was... He was on the paint.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12He didn't want to pull the brakes on too hard in the middle of the road.
0:28:12 > 0:28:16Fortunately, imagine that... taking out Alastair Seeley.
0:28:16 > 0:28:18The Renault has got nothing on these boys.
0:28:18 > 0:28:23Diamond Nine by the Causeway Coast racers. Outstanding.
0:28:29 > 0:28:30There's Michael in front of him.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33Michael has a look over his shoulder, basically saying,
0:28:33 > 0:28:35you can go past, so Michael Dunlop must be pulling out.
0:28:35 > 0:28:37Michael Dunlop gave his brother that place quite easily.
0:28:37 > 0:28:41He didn't know who it was. He's just got a bit of a problem.
0:28:43 > 0:28:46Seemingly he had a problem. No problem here with Hutchy.
0:28:46 > 0:28:47Straight through on the inside.
0:28:47 > 0:28:49There's an awful lot of this going on this weekend.
0:28:49 > 0:28:54We're finding places to overtake that never used to exist before.
0:28:54 > 0:28:57- You can see the difference in size...- Oh!
0:28:57 > 0:28:58I was about to say, the difference in size.
0:28:58 > 0:29:01There's a big gap behind Alastair Seeley's bum and Hutchy uses
0:29:01 > 0:29:04the whole length and switches back to the inside.
0:29:04 > 0:29:06Seeley round the outside.
0:29:06 > 0:29:09This time, Seeley gets into Juniper's chicane.
0:29:09 > 0:29:12Seeley had a lovely sweep into the chicane there.
0:29:14 > 0:29:16There's no point in arguing about it on this lap.
0:29:16 > 0:29:19But on the last lap, that might be worth fighting over.
0:29:19 > 0:29:23I think so, yeah. Lee Johnston there on the back of them.
0:29:24 > 0:29:27And Rutter is still there. They can't shake him off.
0:29:27 > 0:29:30Someone has put something in his porridge, haven't they,
0:29:30 > 0:29:33Michael Rutter, this weekend? He's rejuvenated.
0:29:33 > 0:29:38He's either got a painting in the attic, hasn't he? Or...
0:29:38 > 0:29:39Oh, front wheel pouring the air.
0:29:39 > 0:29:41He would have lost a bit of time with that.
0:29:41 > 0:29:43It must have been just that...
0:29:43 > 0:29:46Because obviously Hillier is still going round the back.
0:29:46 > 0:29:48Peter Hickman doing a good job this time.
0:29:48 > 0:29:51Smith's BMW through down towards York Corner.
0:29:54 > 0:29:55And this time...
0:29:55 > 0:29:59It's all slightly well-behaved this time, actually, isn't it?
0:29:59 > 0:30:01They're saving themselves.
0:30:01 > 0:30:02BOTH: OH!
0:30:02 > 0:30:07- Too much gas.- Is it raining? That was an unusual slip there.
0:30:07 > 0:30:09It's a tear-off from Lee Johnston.
0:30:11 > 0:30:15With Hillier now. Horst Saiger having a wonderful day here today.
0:30:15 > 0:30:18He loves this circuit, and he's loving it even more,
0:30:18 > 0:30:19because he charges up the inside.
0:30:19 > 0:30:21Michael Dunlop, he definitely has retired.
0:30:23 > 0:30:25- Lee Johnston...- Rutter!
0:30:25 > 0:30:28..and Alastair Seeley about the same, but Rutter still in there.
0:30:28 > 0:30:30It's like a truck, the slipstream, when they're three abreast.
0:30:30 > 0:30:33Rutter was looking for a place to get through there, but he
0:30:33 > 0:30:36couldn't find one, because there's so many motorbikes in front of him!
0:30:36 > 0:30:40Lee Johnston goes through on the big BMW.
0:30:42 > 0:30:44So it's Lee Johnston at second place at the moment,
0:30:44 > 0:30:48splitting Seeley and Hutchy. But that's all changed now.
0:30:48 > 0:30:51Hutchy back in front at Mather's Cross with Seeley behind him,
0:30:51 > 0:30:54Johnston in third place, Rutter so close in fourth.
0:30:54 > 0:30:57- Here comes Seeley. - This is a great race, it really is.
0:30:57 > 0:30:59So equal, these bikes are. They should be,
0:30:59 > 0:31:01because they're just about all BMWs out there.
0:31:01 > 0:31:03In fact they are, the top five are,
0:31:03 > 0:31:07that whole pack you're looking at right there, all BMW 1000s,
0:31:07 > 0:31:09the sports machine that you can go and purchase.
0:31:09 > 0:31:11These are fairly heavily modified, though.
0:31:11 > 0:31:15They have different fork internals,
0:31:15 > 0:31:17they have different race ignition-type things.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20It's not a cheap bike, I can tell you. But ostensibly, standard.
0:31:20 > 0:31:25Lee Johnston! Yes, back into second place.
0:31:25 > 0:31:29And he's tracking Seeley now as they go onto the coast road.
0:31:29 > 0:31:34So it is Seeley, Lee Johnston, Ian Hutchinson and Michael Rutter.
0:31:36 > 0:31:40In line abreast through here.
0:31:40 > 0:31:41This is talent again, isn't it?
0:31:41 > 0:31:44There's a lot of North West 200 winners that we're looking at
0:31:44 > 0:31:48- down here at the moment.- There's a bit of class on track, isn't there?
0:31:48 > 0:31:52Alastair Seeley now has 20 wins to his name. This would make it 21,
0:31:52 > 0:31:54a nice little number to have,
0:31:54 > 0:31:57but he's still got Alastair Seeley and Ian Hutchinson and
0:31:57 > 0:32:00Michael Rutter, for that matter, very, very much in touch.
0:32:00 > 0:32:03They're all in this, aren't they? Look at them, how close they are.
0:32:03 > 0:32:06The slipstream still ahead of them, so anything could happen,
0:32:06 > 0:32:08anybody could win this.
0:32:09 > 0:32:13Across the start/finish line, chicane, through the timing beams
0:32:13 > 0:32:17and it's just going to go tick-tick-tick-tick, that quickly,
0:32:17 > 0:32:21because there's no space between the top four, five, really.
0:32:21 > 0:32:23- Hickman's in it, as well, isn't he? - I think he probably is.
0:32:23 > 0:32:26It only needs a slight mistake from any one of these guys for
0:32:26 > 0:32:30Hickman to be right up there, as well. The wind's still blowing.
0:32:30 > 0:32:34It's still blowing on their noses as they head up towards University now.
0:32:34 > 0:32:37This is the left turn at York where they'll start heading up in
0:32:37 > 0:32:40that direction, up towards University. Up the hill they go.
0:32:40 > 0:32:43This is where you need all the traction control you can get.
0:32:43 > 0:32:47A good old look over the shoulder there from Alastair Seeley.
0:32:47 > 0:32:51"Uh-oh! One I don't mind, but I didn't want four behind me!"
0:32:51 > 0:32:54Round the roundabout. Yep, Hickman definitely in touch.
0:32:54 > 0:32:56Michael Rutter...
0:32:56 > 0:33:01And then out onto the fast part of the course.
0:33:01 > 0:33:04Yeah, this is the speed section through Station Corner.
0:33:04 > 0:33:06So important to get this right.
0:33:06 > 0:33:08I think by now it's dry enough for the guys to keep
0:33:08 > 0:33:10the throttle wide open through there.
0:33:10 > 0:33:13They're grabbing sixth gear just before they get to that point.
0:33:13 > 0:33:16- Here's the tow.- Yeah, and it is Lee Johnston.
0:33:16 > 0:33:18- Hutchy!- Hutchy's on the right.
0:33:18 > 0:33:20- Rutter!- Rutter again!
0:33:20 > 0:33:23Sneaky old boy, he's just coming through on the inside.
0:33:23 > 0:33:26Is he going to get through? There's no room to get through!
0:33:26 > 0:33:28He might have the slipstream, but there's not a piece of tarmac left.
0:33:28 > 0:33:31That last lap, when he was all over the place! Oh, who's that?
0:33:31 > 0:33:33Engine blow-up.
0:33:33 > 0:33:36There's a big cloud of oil smoke.
0:33:36 > 0:33:40I hope there wasn't any oil on the track as a result of that.
0:33:40 > 0:33:45- Oil and water are a bad combination. - It is 38 there. Unfortunate.
0:33:45 > 0:33:46That's Andrew Duggan.
0:33:47 > 0:33:50Right, back to the front, and we're back on board with
0:33:50 > 0:33:52James Hillier, looking at Dean Harrison behind us.
0:33:53 > 0:33:56And away out of the Mill Road Roundabout.
0:33:56 > 0:33:58But Michael Rutter gets a lovely tow,
0:33:58 > 0:34:01and then there's no bits of track left for him to be on.
0:34:01 > 0:34:04The boys don't pull over for him, do they? They just block him out.
0:34:04 > 0:34:07Right, Seeley, has he made the split? I doubt it.
0:34:07 > 0:34:09Lee Johnston there you can see right beside Hutchy.
0:34:09 > 0:34:11Hutchy's got himself in the slipstream.
0:34:11 > 0:34:17And Hutchy's good on the brakes. Ian Hutchinson having a great ride.
0:34:19 > 0:34:21They're all riding really... Oh, rain, Steve.
0:34:21 > 0:34:23- Now, that's not what we want at all, is it?- Not at all.
0:34:23 > 0:34:25- Seeley in the lead. - Where's it raining?
0:34:25 > 0:34:28I didn't see where that umbrella was up. And they won't know.
0:34:28 > 0:34:32Lee Johnston up the inside of Ian Hutchy as they go round Metropole,
0:34:32 > 0:34:34turning left again and then banking over to the right-hand side.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37- It looks dry, doesn't it? - It does at this point.
0:34:37 > 0:34:40It's probably further round the course. We'll wait and see.
0:34:40 > 0:34:44The marshals will put out a red and yellow flag if it is raining
0:34:44 > 0:34:47at any point to indicate diminished grip levels.
0:34:47 > 0:34:50If there's diminished grip here, the white lines are not the place to be.
0:34:50 > 0:34:53- But look, here comes Rutter now! - Again three abreast one more time,
0:34:53 > 0:34:55trying to keep the bikes straight as they can.
0:34:55 > 0:34:58He just doesn't know when to stop, does he?!
0:34:58 > 0:35:02Michael Rutter just does not know when to pack it in.
0:35:02 > 0:35:05Is there rain here? I'm just trying to look.
0:35:05 > 0:35:09There's no tracks from the wheels of the bikes at the moment.
0:35:09 > 0:35:13Looking still dry as they come up Juniper.
0:35:13 > 0:35:17So Seeley leads again, for the time being.
0:35:17 > 0:35:20But can he keep the lead? Will they let him keep the lead?
0:35:20 > 0:35:25It is Seeley, Hutchy, Rutter, Lee Johnston and Hickman,
0:35:25 > 0:35:30and Hutchy had a little bit of a spin up there, as well, didn't he?
0:35:30 > 0:35:33Hickman's right on the tail of them, so he's definitely in it.
0:35:33 > 0:35:35I don't think they've encountered any rain yet.
0:35:35 > 0:35:37If there is rain on the track and it's getting slippy,
0:35:37 > 0:35:41the riders will put their hands up, but I haven't seen any indication,
0:35:41 > 0:35:43so one assumes it's not this part of the course.
0:35:43 > 0:35:46It must have been around by Station.
0:35:46 > 0:35:47That's the only thing I can think of.
0:35:47 > 0:35:49- It's not a place you really want...- No,
0:35:49 > 0:35:54the last place you want to arrive to see a flag out indicating rain.
0:35:54 > 0:35:58Well, Seeley tucked down behind the bubble,
0:35:58 > 0:36:02and he can tuck himself away, which helps an awful lot.
0:36:02 > 0:36:07And Hutchy, Rutter, Johnston, Hickman. Mill Road looks fine.
0:36:07 > 0:36:10Hickman's getting very racy at the back.
0:36:10 > 0:36:11There is some spots on this.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14William Dunlop we're with. I don't know if that's
0:36:14 > 0:36:17a fly or rain that we've got on his camera as he comes up the hill.
0:36:17 > 0:36:19I think that might even be a bit of rain.
0:36:19 > 0:36:23But anyway, Horst Saiger still in there, number 18, Dan Kneen.
0:36:23 > 0:36:27- 16 is William.- Round Mill Road, it looks dry.
0:36:27 > 0:36:30Here comes Hutchy out of the slipstream, here comes Rutter
0:36:30 > 0:36:33out of the slipstream. For the final time,
0:36:33 > 0:36:36Rutter can actually see racetrack in front of him!
0:36:36 > 0:36:39Yeah, there's only two bikes as opposed to three in front of
0:36:39 > 0:36:43him right now! OK, over they come.
0:36:43 > 0:36:46- Hands are up. Hands are up. - It's raining here.- It is raining.
0:36:46 > 0:36:50- University.- Hutchy wants it stopping. It's raining a lot there.
0:36:50 > 0:36:53You can see how gingerly they're going through there.
0:36:53 > 0:36:56The red flags are out, so that's it, it'll go back a lap.
0:36:56 > 0:36:58And there it is:
0:37:03 > 0:37:07What a shame. That spoiled a really cracking race.
0:37:07 > 0:37:09You're seemingly unbeatable round here at the minute.
0:37:09 > 0:37:11I don't know, I just like the place!
0:37:11 > 0:37:13I fell in love with it, and I think it's fell in love with me,
0:37:13 > 0:37:17too, now, so, erm, don't get jealous, Danny.
0:37:26 > 0:37:29There were two other winners in the Supertwin class,
0:37:29 > 0:37:31which is for smaller machines.
0:37:31 > 0:37:33Englishman Martin Jessopp took the
0:37:33 > 0:37:35chequered flag in the first race.
0:37:37 > 0:37:42And Michael Rutter became the event's third most successful
0:37:42 > 0:37:47rider of all time with a win in race two, his 14th victory
0:37:47 > 0:37:48at the circuit.
0:37:50 > 0:37:54There's one more race to go. It's the main Superbike event,
0:37:54 > 0:37:58and Alastair Seeley starts as the favourite again.
0:37:58 > 0:38:00And he now chases another record.
0:38:00 > 0:38:04He will try and equal this man, Phillip McCallen's, record of
0:38:04 > 0:38:08winning five North West 200s in a single event.
0:38:08 > 0:38:11- Phillip, do you think he can equal your record?- I think he can.
0:38:11 > 0:38:15He's riding superb, he's just a master today.
0:38:15 > 0:38:17He's showing people how it's done, and, yes,
0:38:17 > 0:38:21he could win five in an event. But, Stephen, I won five in a day.
0:38:21 > 0:38:23So you'd still have the bragging rights.
0:38:23 > 0:38:25I still will have the bragging rights.
0:38:25 > 0:38:28He's doing superb, but his is four today.
0:38:28 > 0:38:30Hopefully, he'll be aiming for one on Thursday.
0:38:30 > 0:38:34But there's one man who's going to cause him big trouble today,
0:38:34 > 0:38:38I think, and that's Glenn Irwin. I really think Alastair's biggest
0:38:38 > 0:38:40rival in this race will be Glenn Irwin.
0:38:40 > 0:38:42Well, this is the biggest race of the week,
0:38:42 > 0:38:47the North West 200 Superbike race. Sit back and enjoy.
0:38:49 > 0:38:54So, the final race of the day. We've been waiting a long time for this.
0:38:54 > 0:38:58Michael Rutter, Alastair Seeley, Glenn Irwin on the front row.
0:38:58 > 0:39:02All on slick tyres. Michael Dunlop, Martin Jessopp and Peter Hickman.
0:39:05 > 0:39:09William Dunlop has come on strong just this afternoon at last.
0:39:12 > 0:39:14And, of course, the rest of the guys
0:39:14 > 0:39:16all getting ready for the lights to go out.
0:39:16 > 0:39:20Who will get the best start as the North West 200 gets under way?
0:39:20 > 0:39:23- This is the feature race. - This is the big one.
0:39:23 > 0:39:25And it's a cracking start from Glenn Irwin.
0:39:25 > 0:39:28We ride with Derek Shiels as they go down to Mill Bank.
0:39:28 > 0:39:31And look how close they are, jostling for positions, but
0:39:31 > 0:39:34it's number 2, Glenn Irwin on the big Ducati, who gets out in front.
0:39:34 > 0:39:35He's only had 11 laps of practice.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38This is going to be like a big practice session.
0:39:38 > 0:39:40Michael Rutter just showing that he is still,
0:39:40 > 0:39:44at the end of the day, up for this in second place now, but Glenn
0:39:44 > 0:39:47Irwin always pulling away from him as they go round York Corner.
0:39:47 > 0:39:50Yeah, tyres just coming up to temperature. They come off warm.
0:39:50 > 0:39:54- We ride with Martin Jessopp.- And look behind, here comes wave two.
0:39:54 > 0:39:58182 off the line is Xavier Denis.
0:40:02 > 0:40:05But back on board with Martin Jessopp.
0:40:05 > 0:40:09There is of course Ian Hutchinson charging past on the Tyco BMW.
0:40:09 > 0:40:12- Or not.- Or not, yeah. He gets alongside, trying to get in the
0:40:12 > 0:40:16slipstream of Michael Rutter. It's going to work now, almost certainly.
0:40:16 > 0:40:19And it does. Most importantly, it's this race that we're talking about.
0:40:19 > 0:40:20This is the battle for the lead.
0:40:20 > 0:40:23Look at them, both fighting the bikes around. Hutchy,
0:40:23 > 0:40:25when they get in the dirty areas, starts upsetting the bike,
0:40:25 > 0:40:27they start wriggling around.
0:40:27 > 0:40:29Now, Glenn Irwin's bike seems to wriggle around on its own,
0:40:29 > 0:40:32but it's not maybe the best-handling bike out there.
0:40:32 > 0:40:35But he is useful enough to fight it.
0:40:35 > 0:40:38They've all done a bit of wriggling during the course of these
0:40:38 > 0:40:40last couple of laps. We're into lap three now.
0:40:40 > 0:40:43Back on board with Jessopp, looking back at Peter Hickman.
0:40:43 > 0:40:46I think Dunlop is away and up the road.
0:40:46 > 0:40:49But so is Glenn Irwin. He's dropped Hutchy, and Seeley's coming.
0:40:49 > 0:40:51Yeah, here comes Seeley. They'll work together.
0:40:51 > 0:40:53Probably won't want to, but they will do,
0:40:53 > 0:40:55because there's Seeley using Hutchy's slipstream.
0:40:55 > 0:40:57Charging down there. Same deal.
0:40:57 > 0:40:59We're coming up towards the coast road.
0:40:59 > 0:41:01Who is going to be the fastest there?
0:41:01 > 0:41:04Glenn Irwin is learning every single lap what this bike is doing.
0:41:04 > 0:41:07As I said, he only had 11 laps' practice prior to this race.
0:41:07 > 0:41:11Every single lap he's working out where the line is,
0:41:11 > 0:41:13where the grip is.
0:41:13 > 0:41:17It's Irwin, Seeley, Hutchy. Michael Rutter's still there.
0:41:17 > 0:41:22These three are close enough together that any of them,
0:41:22 > 0:41:24all of them, could win it.
0:41:24 > 0:41:26They could cross the line almost side by side,
0:41:26 > 0:41:28the way they're going on at the moment.
0:41:28 > 0:41:31Irwin, a bit of a shock, I think, to everybody here,
0:41:31 > 0:41:32especially Alastair Seeley,
0:41:32 > 0:41:36because nobody expected someone who hadn't seen it often enough...
0:41:36 > 0:41:39- Oh! Hutchinson! - Hutchy again slides it in there,
0:41:39 > 0:41:41really aggressive on that back brake.
0:41:41 > 0:41:44Oh, he missed a gear there. Did you see him miss a gear?
0:41:44 > 0:41:46Right-foot gear change for Hutchy since he broke that left leg
0:41:46 > 0:41:49so badly. He's switched over to a right shift.
0:41:49 > 0:41:50You can see him fighting for the gears.
0:41:50 > 0:41:52Missed a gear coming out of that chicane.
0:41:52 > 0:41:56Will Rutter be able to capitalise on that? It remains to be seen.
0:41:56 > 0:41:59Hutchy over the crest, but Irwin hasn't seen as much of this
0:41:59 > 0:42:01racetrack as any of them.
0:42:01 > 0:42:04Seeley's run 18 times and he's done 18 laps,
0:42:04 > 0:42:06and now he's out in front.
0:42:06 > 0:42:11There is the replay of Hutchy just slithering in there nicely.
0:42:11 > 0:42:14Oh, again wriggling around. Very, very fast.
0:42:14 > 0:42:17And rather nervous. "Fidgety" probably is the word.
0:42:17 > 0:42:19Here comes Hutchy on Seeley now.
0:42:19 > 0:42:21This is going to help them both pull up towards...
0:42:21 > 0:42:23And you can see them closing on Glenn Irwin.
0:42:23 > 0:42:27- They're right in the slipstream there.- Towpath!- One either side.
0:42:27 > 0:42:30- He's holding on to it! - He is holding on to it.
0:42:30 > 0:42:34As I said, I think it's arguably the most powerful bike here today.
0:42:34 > 0:42:37It's probably the slipperiest at being able to punch through the air.
0:42:37 > 0:42:40But look at that, it's like a Red Arrows formation.
0:42:40 > 0:42:43He is up to his elbows in alligators, isn't he, Glenn Irwin,
0:42:43 > 0:42:45at this point in time?
0:42:45 > 0:42:48Hutchy and Seeley side by side, crowding him into University,
0:42:48 > 0:42:51but he's just so cool, isn't he? Look, he's through.
0:42:51 > 0:42:52And Michael Rutter's not done with yet.
0:42:52 > 0:42:55Number 11 is on the back of this four.
0:42:55 > 0:42:57And just behind them is Michael Dunlop.
0:42:57 > 0:43:01So, we have a long, long way to go for this race yet.
0:43:01 > 0:43:03Wouldn't want to put any money on anyone at this moment in time.
0:43:03 > 0:43:06Seeley, of course, looking for another win.
0:43:06 > 0:43:10That would give him his maximum amount of wins here on any occasion.
0:43:10 > 0:43:12And trouble Phillip McCallen.
0:43:12 > 0:43:14Yeah, it'd really upset Phillip McCallen if he did it.
0:43:14 > 0:43:18Anyway, a long way to go yet. Glenn Irwin again on the bumpy part.
0:43:18 > 0:43:20Just watch that bike moving around.
0:43:20 > 0:43:22And if you can see it moving from here,
0:43:22 > 0:43:24trust me, if you were on it, it would be quite horrendous.
0:43:24 > 0:43:28At this point here, look at it start bucking around and just shifting.
0:43:28 > 0:43:30Hutchy just looks so balanced by comparison,
0:43:30 > 0:43:32but you know he's desperately...
0:43:32 > 0:43:34Oh, desperately late on the brakes!
0:43:34 > 0:43:39The back wheel was up in the air. When it came down, it went sideways.
0:43:39 > 0:43:41Look, again trying to get on the power,
0:43:41 > 0:43:45trying to put that 200-odd bhp to have it spinning up.
0:43:45 > 0:43:47Glenn Irwin again having to move over to the track,
0:43:47 > 0:43:51and then now again you can see him really fighting it, the big
0:43:51 > 0:43:54exhaust pipe sticking out of the back and rattling around everywhere.
0:43:54 > 0:43:57Martin Jessopp - all very calm and collected down there, isn't it,
0:43:57 > 0:43:59compared to what's going on at the front?
0:43:59 > 0:44:02These boys ought to be behaving like grown-ups, shouldn't they?
0:44:02 > 0:44:03No!
0:44:03 > 0:44:07They're entertaining us. There goes Dean Harrison
0:44:07 > 0:44:09down the inside on the Kawasaki.
0:44:09 > 0:44:11And look at this, Hutchy, back wheel's up in the air,
0:44:11 > 0:44:13and when it comes down it's sideways.
0:44:13 > 0:44:15Glenn Irwin's thinking he's never going to make it,
0:44:15 > 0:44:19- but again, how close was that? - Here comes Seeley.
0:44:19 > 0:44:21Alastair Seeley on the outside there, not close enough. Or is he?
0:44:21 > 0:44:23Hutchy up the inside is in close.
0:44:23 > 0:44:27Glenn Irwin, do you know, he hasn't got the experience of the
0:44:27 > 0:44:30others, he might not have that bike set up as neatly as they have
0:44:30 > 0:44:33for the high-speed straights. When he comes back next year,
0:44:33 > 0:44:37- he'll know an awful lot more than he does now.- He certainly will.
0:44:37 > 0:44:41They have found another formidable competitor here with this bike.
0:44:41 > 0:44:45Paul Bird will be loving this, I'm quite sure about it.
0:44:45 > 0:44:47I think Glenn Irwin's probably enjoying himself, as well.
0:44:47 > 0:44:49Michael Dunlop on the back heel.
0:44:49 > 0:44:51He likes winning races, but on the other hand,
0:44:51 > 0:44:54with a brand-new motorcycle, he's setting it up for the season,
0:44:54 > 0:44:56probably thinking this is all coming together nicely now.
0:44:56 > 0:44:59I would say he'd be very happy with where he is at the moment,
0:44:59 > 0:45:02running with these front guys with bikes that are all hugely
0:45:02 > 0:45:06sorted and fixed up, have been for many, many years around here.
0:45:06 > 0:45:11- Looking good, the Bennett Suzuki. - But Glenn Irwin looking best of all.
0:45:11 > 0:45:14Hutchy and Seeley side by side out of the start/finish chicane,
0:45:14 > 0:45:17and I think Michael Dunlop's probably waiting for these boys
0:45:17 > 0:45:19to bump into each other and disappear into a front garden!
0:45:19 > 0:45:22Or at least go up a slip road. Glenn Irwin said he used to
0:45:22 > 0:45:25come here and ride his BMX bike on the golf course -
0:45:25 > 0:45:26I know he shouldn't have done that -
0:45:26 > 0:45:28and just dreamed of coming and racing it.
0:45:28 > 0:45:31I can imagine he would have dreamed of winning, as well.
0:45:31 > 0:45:34But still a long way to go.
0:45:34 > 0:45:38York Corner. They've done it so fast. Look at that!
0:45:38 > 0:45:40Just pulled out a lead again.
0:45:40 > 0:45:44He's six or seven bike lengths in front, while Seeley and Hutchy,
0:45:44 > 0:45:47team-mates, are tripping over one another a little bit.
0:45:47 > 0:45:49They're all trying to get in the corners together.
0:45:49 > 0:45:53The Ducati off the corners has that lovely growl.
0:45:53 > 0:45:57They do reel him in underbraking into those slow corners, don't they?
0:45:57 > 0:46:01- And then he's gone.- Yeah, and that's often the fast way of doing it,
0:46:01 > 0:46:02slow in and really fast out.
0:46:02 > 0:46:06And the important thing around the North West here is being fast
0:46:06 > 0:46:09on the exits, because every 5mph you carry from the corner, you're
0:46:09 > 0:46:11carrying that all the way down the straight.
0:46:11 > 0:46:15So there's no point in trying to get into a corner too fast and
0:46:15 > 0:46:18then screwing it all up and not getting a good exit.
0:46:18 > 0:46:23- Are they close enough to make the slipstream do its stuff?- Yep.
0:46:23 > 0:46:26- The helicopter doing its best up there. Look at it.- Can't keep up.
0:46:26 > 0:46:29Absolutely flat out. You'll see the exhaust pipes going, maybe.
0:46:29 > 0:46:31But we're seeing the exhaust pipes here,
0:46:31 > 0:46:35the big double pipes out the back of the Panigale.
0:46:35 > 0:46:37They're not able to get past.
0:46:37 > 0:46:40It is like a formation. Irwin, foot comes down.
0:46:40 > 0:46:42Up through, changing up.
0:46:42 > 0:46:44He's punching the hole in the air and bringing them forward.
0:46:44 > 0:46:47They just don't seem to have anything left to go past.
0:46:47 > 0:46:49It's almost like, in order to get past him,
0:46:49 > 0:46:52they need another gear that they never even thought of fitting to
0:46:52 > 0:46:57the bikes or another cog that they never even dreamt would be needed.
0:46:57 > 0:47:00And the trouble is for those guys, he is so good on the brakes.
0:47:00 > 0:47:02Glenn Irwin, I'm talking about. He's race sharp.
0:47:02 > 0:47:05He's been on the podium twice at British Superbike races this year.
0:47:05 > 0:47:10He's on top, top form, and I think outbraking him is going to
0:47:10 > 0:47:13take another one of those wild dives of Hutchy. But here it comes.
0:47:13 > 0:47:15Maybe it's going to be Seeley first.
0:47:15 > 0:47:18Alastair Seeley's got the run on him this time.
0:47:18 > 0:47:20He's on the inside for the corner.
0:47:20 > 0:47:23And look at it now, wriggling around! Unreal!
0:47:23 > 0:47:27Oh, and Hutchy as well, again! No?!
0:47:27 > 0:47:28THEY LAUGH
0:47:28 > 0:47:31That was very forceful of Ian Hutchinson.
0:47:31 > 0:47:34There's no other way to get through and get past that machine,
0:47:34 > 0:47:36but he definitely stuck it to Glenn Irwin then.
0:47:36 > 0:47:39And Glenn Irwin's coming back at him out of the slipstream now,
0:47:39 > 0:47:43using the power of the Ducati, alongside Ian Hutchinson.
0:47:43 > 0:47:46There's Hutchy, and Irwin goes straight in front of him and
0:47:46 > 0:47:48closes that door in front of him.
0:47:48 > 0:47:53They're just inches away at 185mph. OK, then on the brakes again.
0:47:53 > 0:47:56You can see Irwin jammed up against the fuel tank as
0:47:56 > 0:48:00he puts that braking on. Pulling about 1.5Gs in braking force.
0:48:00 > 0:48:02You can imagine having half of somebody else on your back
0:48:02 > 0:48:03when you put the brakes on.
0:48:03 > 0:48:05Michael Rutter at the back of this group
0:48:05 > 0:48:07is looking particularly strong.
0:48:07 > 0:48:11Michael Rutter's had an ace weekend at the North West 200, hasn't he?
0:48:11 > 0:48:16He absolutely has, yeah. 14 wins around here right now.
0:48:16 > 0:48:19This man we're looking at, Seeley, has 21 wins.
0:48:19 > 0:48:21Irwin on the inside.
0:48:21 > 0:48:24Hutchy again slithering it into the corner.
0:48:24 > 0:48:26Seeley leads them over the coast road. Is this it?
0:48:26 > 0:48:28Is this the moment Seeley's been waiting for?
0:48:28 > 0:48:31Is this the moment where he goes, "Right, I'm free and clear,
0:48:31 > 0:48:34"I'm going to break away now"? Because that's how he likes to race.
0:48:34 > 0:48:36He's going to have to be very good on the coast road to do it,
0:48:36 > 0:48:38because I don't think there's any way
0:48:38 > 0:48:42he can pull away on the straights. And again not even on the corners!
0:48:42 > 0:48:45- Glenn Irwin jams it down the inside. - I had my eyes shut.
0:48:45 > 0:48:47That might be Seeley's chicane,
0:48:47 > 0:48:48but Glenn Irwin's just taken charge of it.
0:48:48 > 0:48:51He's adopted it! RICHARD LAUGHS
0:48:51 > 0:48:54That was stern stuff from Glenn Irwin.
0:48:54 > 0:48:56He is so determined, isn't he?
0:48:56 > 0:48:59We're looking at Derek Shiels here, as you can see,
0:48:59 > 0:49:02and getting a good idea of just how much work is going into this
0:49:02 > 0:49:04if you're actually in the seat doing that.
0:49:04 > 0:49:07- And just look at Glenn Irwin. - I think Glenn Irwin's worked it out.
0:49:07 > 0:49:11If there is any chance of rain and a red flag, every time he leads over
0:49:11 > 0:49:14the start/finish line, if it goes back a lap, it's going to be his.
0:49:14 > 0:49:16I think that's what he's working out. You never know.
0:49:16 > 0:49:18Look at the people stood there clapping and cheering.
0:49:18 > 0:49:21Tear-offs come off, trying to get some clear vision.
0:49:21 > 0:49:23Michael Rutter and Michael Dunlop are having
0:49:23 > 0:49:26a little dice of their own at the back.
0:49:26 > 0:49:29There's some serious talent at the front here.
0:49:29 > 0:49:31This is just an extraordinary performance from Glenn Irwin.
0:49:31 > 0:49:34He is a Superbike rookie around here, effectively,
0:49:34 > 0:49:39so few laps on that machine, and yet look at the way he's running.
0:49:39 > 0:49:42He's making Seeley ride out of his skin, isn't he?
0:49:46 > 0:49:49Big black marks coming up the hill, black marks on the brakes
0:49:49 > 0:49:52going down through the gears again, nipping through that chicane.
0:49:52 > 0:49:55Seeley nearly running into the back of him that time.
0:49:55 > 0:49:58And again, Glenn Irwin will punch it off that corner,
0:49:58 > 0:50:00using the drive and the grit. It's all very well having power,
0:50:00 > 0:50:03but you've got to have good electronics and good throttle feel,
0:50:03 > 0:50:06throttle connection. Seeley's gaining, gaining.
0:50:06 > 0:50:08Is he going to try and pass him before they get to Station Corner?
0:50:08 > 0:50:11They're not going to go through two abreast, I can assure you.
0:50:11 > 0:50:13And they don't. Seeley drops back.
0:50:13 > 0:50:15Look at the crowd, they're loving this, and so am I.
0:50:15 > 0:50:19And already Hutchy all but up the back of Michael Dunlop.
0:50:19 > 0:50:24And so, Michael Dunlop moving forward and Seeley still
0:50:24 > 0:50:26stuck behind Glenn Irwin.
0:50:26 > 0:50:29I'm surprised all those people at Station weren't running away then.
0:50:29 > 0:50:32Yeah. What I can tell you is the performance of these bikes,
0:50:32 > 0:50:34it's going to happen on the coast road,
0:50:34 > 0:50:36as it often does here at the North West 200.
0:50:36 > 0:50:39I don't see Seeley getting away. Each time he's trying it,
0:50:39 > 0:50:40Glenn Irwin comes back at him,
0:50:40 > 0:50:43and unfortunately for him, he comes back at him on the coast road.
0:50:43 > 0:50:45As they do it again and again and again - I mean,
0:50:45 > 0:50:48just look at this - they keep saying, "If I was in the draught
0:50:48 > 0:50:50"it'd be all right, and we're planning..."
0:50:50 > 0:50:51You're not planning anything here!
0:50:51 > 0:50:54They're scrapping, they're just racing and scratching
0:50:54 > 0:50:56and taking what they can when they can,
0:50:56 > 0:50:59and it's just going to go on like that until they run out of laps
0:50:59 > 0:51:01- and whoever's in front will be the winner.- You're right.
0:51:01 > 0:51:03I think the plans have all gone out the window.
0:51:05 > 0:51:08Michael Dunlop looking good. As I say, he's adapted to that bike.
0:51:08 > 0:51:09He's ridden so many different bikes here.
0:51:09 > 0:51:13Last year, he started here with a Yamaha, rode that for a few races
0:51:13 > 0:51:16and then switched back to the BMW, but he's ridden Hondas,
0:51:16 > 0:51:20you name it, around this course. OK, helicopter view.
0:51:20 > 0:51:25This time around, Glenn Irwin gets through the Mather's Chicane first.
0:51:25 > 0:51:30Gets through without being attacked by a sliding Hutchy.
0:51:30 > 0:51:32There's no question that the tyres will be past their optimum
0:51:32 > 0:51:34right now. I know it's not a hugely long race,
0:51:34 > 0:51:36but tyres are best usually on their second lap.
0:51:36 > 0:51:40Here he comes, Seeley jamming it down the inside.
0:51:40 > 0:51:43They're neck and neck on the braking zone. Who dares wins.
0:51:43 > 0:51:44Who's going to brake the latest?
0:51:44 > 0:51:46It's who's got the wheels on the ground.
0:51:46 > 0:51:48And round the outside, surely not!
0:51:50 > 0:51:52- He does it.- Just did not want to be beaten into
0:51:52 > 0:51:54that chicane, did he, Glenn Irwin?
0:51:54 > 0:51:57Generally, whoever's got the inside line's got the corner.
0:51:57 > 0:52:01Seeley had the track position, but Irwin had his eyes shut, I think!
0:52:01 > 0:52:03Yeah, or Glenn Irwin didn't know the rules.
0:52:03 > 0:52:05Down they come towards the Metropole.
0:52:05 > 0:52:07Now these two, it's a splinter group now.
0:52:07 > 0:52:10They've just about got away, I think, from Hutchy.
0:52:10 > 0:52:13What an extraordinary race this has turned out to be.
0:52:13 > 0:52:15It's been a long wait for the final race of the day at the
0:52:15 > 0:52:18North West 200, but wasn't it worth waiting for!
0:52:18 > 0:52:20Hutchy with Michael Dunlop hunting him down.
0:52:20 > 0:52:22Seeley loves the coast road.
0:52:22 > 0:52:25He likes overtaking on these swooping corners.
0:52:25 > 0:52:29Glenn Irwin doesn't like being overtaken, and he's resisting.
0:52:29 > 0:52:33Seeley stuck behind him as they turn left into the Juniper Chicane,
0:52:33 > 0:52:36and Seeley gets on the gas as hard as he can, but Irwin's faster.
0:52:36 > 0:52:39Hutchy and Dunlop and Rutter are closing in, I think,
0:52:39 > 0:52:42while those two are scrapping. That gap might be closing down.
0:52:42 > 0:52:45Yeah, it might well be. But really, it looks like a two-horse race
0:52:45 > 0:52:49at the moment, doesn't it? Both riders from Carrickfergus.
0:52:49 > 0:52:51Kind of neighbours. I don't think they go out drinking together.
0:52:51 > 0:52:53Surely Seeley's not going down the inside here.
0:52:53 > 0:52:56There's a wet patch just there. Watch it.
0:52:56 > 0:52:57He thought better of it.
0:52:57 > 0:53:00If they were better friends, you'd call them the Carrick Crusaders.
0:53:00 > 0:53:02- But they aren't, are they? - Not that I know of.
0:53:02 > 0:53:05They're certainly not on the track here at the moment.
0:53:05 > 0:53:07But they'll have a lot of respect for one
0:53:07 > 0:53:11another at the end of this race, because it has been a proper duel in
0:53:11 > 0:53:17the sunset here tonight at the North West 200 with still more laps to go.
0:53:17 > 0:53:20Who's getting tired? I mean, Alastair Seeley, in fairness,
0:53:20 > 0:53:23has done about five races so far today.
0:53:23 > 0:53:26Yeah, that's a point, because Glenn Irwin's fresh out of the box.
0:53:26 > 0:53:29We're on the final lap, and that thing's all over the place
0:53:29 > 0:53:30going up towards the roundabout.
0:53:30 > 0:53:34Seeley saw that, tries to come on the outside, and...
0:53:34 > 0:53:37- Irwin's just having none of it, is he?- No. Legs are out everywhere.
0:53:37 > 0:53:40He stopped it in the middle of the corner. That's pretty smart.
0:53:40 > 0:53:43He really backs it down in the middle of that roundabout just
0:53:43 > 0:53:45so he can fire it off the corner.
0:53:45 > 0:53:48No-one's coming round the outside of him then, but they might do now.
0:53:48 > 0:53:50Seeley has got the run out of the chicane,
0:53:50 > 0:53:52and it's wriggling all over the place.
0:53:52 > 0:53:54He's trying to keep it down on the ground, but...
0:53:54 > 0:53:58Oh, my goodness me, it's like a broken toilet seat he's sat on.
0:53:58 > 0:54:02That BMW's normally so tidy and shipshape with him on board,
0:54:02 > 0:54:06- isn't it?- Slipstream City. Here we go. Seeley is in the slipstream.
0:54:06 > 0:54:09He's going to go left or right. And he goes over to...
0:54:10 > 0:54:13- Oh!- He's on the grass, Steve! - Oh, my goodness me!
0:54:13 > 0:54:16Seeley, the camber of the road sort of dragged him into it and
0:54:16 > 0:54:17he had to shut the throttle.
0:54:17 > 0:54:21So he should have done. In the dirt at 175mph. Hutchy took advantage.
0:54:21 > 0:54:24He probably got sprayed in water and stones.
0:54:24 > 0:54:27I can't believe what I've just seen there.
0:54:27 > 0:54:29- Alastair Seeley is back on the throttle.- He is!
0:54:29 > 0:54:30He's coming hard at Ian Hutchy.
0:54:30 > 0:54:33Glenn Irwin is braking down into the corner,
0:54:33 > 0:54:36but Seeley's right back behind Hutchy. Theoretically,
0:54:36 > 0:54:39he should have been passed by both Michael Dunlop AND Michael Rutter.
0:54:39 > 0:54:42Here we go again. The camber of the road drops, and look at that,
0:54:42 > 0:54:45the wheels are in the dirt, they're in the gutter at that point.
0:54:45 > 0:54:48- He just had to roll out of it. - I think it's a ditch.
0:54:48 > 0:54:50It's far worse than that. That was so close to the edge.
0:54:50 > 0:54:53That would have confused the traction control, almost certainly!
0:54:53 > 0:54:55Right, well, look, he's come straight back.
0:54:55 > 0:54:57I'd have been off to the toilet myself, but anyway...
0:54:57 > 0:55:02Alastair Seeley has just got back into gear and he's coming again.
0:55:02 > 0:55:04It's not over yet. We've got half a lap to go.
0:55:04 > 0:55:07Irwin won't know what happened behind him, so he won't know
0:55:07 > 0:55:08that Alastair Seeley ought not to be
0:55:08 > 0:55:11doing this at this particular moment in time.
0:55:11 > 0:55:14So he's just going to treat him like he's treated him all race.
0:55:14 > 0:55:15Oh, they're closing on traffic.
0:55:15 > 0:55:18There was a backmarker just going through the bottom of the
0:55:18 > 0:55:21- screen there, and if that... Yes, look.- There he is, number 24.
0:55:21 > 0:55:23That could be awkward. That's Andy Sellars.
0:55:23 > 0:55:26He's going to get a lesson, because these two are charging through.
0:55:26 > 0:55:28Irwin's going to go round the outside.
0:55:28 > 0:55:31He's had to shut the throttle a bit. Definitely compromised his line.
0:55:31 > 0:55:34- Oh!- Seeley's gone down the inside into Church.
0:55:34 > 0:55:36Seeley goes through at Church Corner.
0:55:36 > 0:55:39Is this the deed that needed doing?
0:55:39 > 0:55:42But I think we've still got another run down to the Juniper Hill
0:55:42 > 0:55:44Chicane, so over the top of Black Hill in a minute.
0:55:44 > 0:55:46- That was close there.- That was!
0:55:46 > 0:55:49There's no question that Glenn Irwin had to just compromise his line,
0:55:49 > 0:55:53shut the throttle a bit, and Seeley didn't need a second invitation.
0:55:53 > 0:55:55But Irwin's slipstreaming him up the hill.
0:55:55 > 0:56:00Now coming out of the draught, going over the top. This is tough stuff.
0:56:00 > 0:56:03Are they going to touch? And Seeley's wriggling around.
0:56:03 > 0:56:05Now Irwin's got the inside line.
0:56:05 > 0:56:08That was a magnificent job from Glenn Irwin.
0:56:08 > 0:56:12Alastair Seeley was almost out of control trying to stay in front,
0:56:12 > 0:56:16and he couldn't do it. And Irwin went scything past him so neatly.
0:56:16 > 0:56:18And look at his sideways.
0:56:18 > 0:56:20They're power-sliding up Juniper Hill up to the line.
0:56:20 > 0:56:23Surely Seeley's not going to try and dive up the inside.
0:56:23 > 0:56:25- Is Glenn Irwin going to do it? - He's got to do it now.
0:56:25 > 0:56:27Seeley hasn't got a chance of getting past him. As they go
0:56:27 > 0:56:31towards the line, it is Irwin and Seeley and Hutchy.
0:56:31 > 0:56:36What a breathtaking... What a FANTASTIC race that was.
0:56:36 > 0:56:39That was an astonishing performance from those two.
0:56:39 > 0:56:41Absolutely stunning. Look at that, 0.172,
0:56:41 > 0:56:43Glenn Irwin from Alasdair Seeley,
0:56:43 > 0:56:45Irwin with his first ever win here.
0:56:49 > 0:56:51Really enjoyable race, Alastair.
0:56:51 > 0:56:5320 wins round here. You can't not respect him.
0:56:53 > 0:56:55We've had our differences in the past,
0:56:55 > 0:56:59but for him and Ian to race that close... I didn't look behind.
0:56:59 > 0:57:04I don't know who else was there. 220 brake, these bikes are. It's insane.
0:57:04 > 0:57:06It's awesome. Best sport in the world.
0:57:08 > 0:57:10The way I was confident was carried from my wins,
0:57:10 > 0:57:13and then with Glenn it was going to be an epic battle,
0:57:13 > 0:57:14and then throw into the mix Hutchy.
0:57:14 > 0:57:17It was just made for good entertainment.
0:57:20 > 0:57:24Well, what a sensational finish to this year's international
0:57:24 > 0:57:28- North West 200, Michael. - Unbelievable. A cracking finale.
0:57:28 > 0:57:32It was the best conditions of the day, the best race of the day.
0:57:32 > 0:57:33They saved the best till last.
0:57:33 > 0:57:36Glenn Irwin rode above and beyond his years.
0:57:36 > 0:57:38He looked like a seasoned professional round here,
0:57:38 > 0:57:41and hard to believe it was his first time here on a Superbike.
0:57:41 > 0:57:43Alastair Seeley takes some beating around here,
0:57:43 > 0:57:45and to pull that off on the last lap, an incredible feat.
0:57:45 > 0:57:48Alastair was the man throughout the whole event.
0:57:48 > 0:57:50To win four times and then miss out on the blue riband,
0:57:50 > 0:57:54he'll be a little bit disappointed. He was the man of the meeting,
0:57:54 > 0:57:57- but Glenn Irwin goes home the hero. - Michael, thanks very much indeed.
0:57:57 > 0:58:00I hope you've enjoyed the coverage of this year's North West 200.
0:58:00 > 0:58:03But for now, from everyone here on the north coast,
0:58:03 > 0:58:05until this time next year, it's bye-bye.
0:58:05 > 0:58:08MUSIC: Audio, Video, Disco by Justice