Irwin holds off Harrison for Superbike success

Glenn Irwin held off the challenge of Dean Harrison to seal his 12th race win at the North West 200 in the first Superbike race of the day.

The Northern Ireland rider had won 11 races in a row in the feature class between 2017 and 2024 before deciding to opt out of the event last year.

Riding a Nitrous Competitions Ducati, he marked his return by taking victory by 0.18 seconds from Honda Racing rider Harrison, with Michael Dunlop a further 14.4 seconds adrift in third position.

Irwin led for the vast majority of the race, with Harrison giving chase throughout as he went after his maiden win over the Triangle circuit.

The Yorkshireman briefly hit the front at the end of lap four after a stunning takeover move at Juniper Hill but in the end, after a thrilling battle, had to settle for a 16th podium finish of his career at the meeting.

Irwin set the fastest lap of the race at a speed of 124.997mph.

Peter Hickman, Josh Brookes and Ian Hutchinson made up the top six, with newcomer Storm Stacey in seventh after the six laps.

Stacey obliterated the previous best lap by a newcomer at the event when he circulated at 123.725.

The race had to be re-started after a minor incident at Church Corner in the initial running.