Alastair Seeley - Photo Credit: Suzuki Racing
Alastair Seeley added two more victories to his North West 200 record on an eventful race day at Coleraine. The Ulsterman added to his Superstock win on Thursday by taking the second Supersport race despite tough opposition from William Dunlop. Seeley then held off BSB rival Michael Rutter to win the final race of the meeting, the second in the Superbike class.
Although he missed out on victory in the three other races on Saturday, Seeley did finish on the podium in each of them and was proud to have claimed victory in the event's blue riband race.
“I can’t complain too much about those results. Three wins from six podiums and winning the big one – the North West 200 Superbike race – it was really nice to do it again. I didn’t think it was going to be my day after the red flag in the first Supersport race when I’d just caught William going onto the last lap; missing a gear while leading the first Superbike race; then losing out in Superstock race one when Michael Rutter won it on corrected time from the second group, even though I’d crossed the line first. It just shows that dreams can come true if you work hard enough. I’d like to thank to team for a big effort and hope our sponsor Tyco enjoyed its first North West 200.”
Earlier in the day, Michael Rutter had moved level with Joey Dunlop on 13 wins at the North West 200 with victory in the second Superstock race. Joey's nephew William Dunlop won Saturday's Supersport opener while the first Superbike race went the way of John McGuinness.
The Honda TT Legends rider was delighted to mark his return to Coleraine with a victory but left with mixed feelings after failing to beat Seeley and Rutter in Superbike race two.
“I was fairly confident we could go well in the races today after qualifying on the front row. I went in with a good attitude, just wanting to get stuck in and go as hard as I could to keep Alastair under pressure. In race one that happened and he made a mistake and in race two I was with him all the time but I couldn't quite get there. Rutter got passed me too, but to be honest you've got two guys there doing BSB week in, week out so I'm happy to be on the podium. A win and a third is great for the team. We're here in the iconic Honda colours and the bike has not let us down so I'm well happy with that.”
The day's events were overshadowed by the tragic death of Splitlath Redmond Racing's Mark Buckley after a crash near the Mill Road roundabout. The 35 year old died in hospital from injuries sustained in Superstock race two.
