Road Racing Weekly Roundup
North West 200: Road Closures Confirmed as Practice Begins
The Briggs Equipment North West 200 officially kicks off today, Tuesday 5 May. Road closures are scheduled from 09:00 to 15:00 for the opening practice sessions. This year features one of the most competitive lineups in a decade, with Glenn Irwin seeking to extend his Superbike win streak against the likes of Peter Hickman, Davey Todd, and a revitalised Michael Dunlop.
Kyle Ryde Dominates Oulton Park; Storm Stacey Grabs Top 5
The BSB season opener at Oulton Park this weekend provided a perfect warm-up for the road racing contingent. While Kyle Ryde took a flawless hat-trick of wins, it was the "Roads" stars who caught the eye. Storm Stacey secured a brilliant 4th place in Race 1, proving he is in the form of his life ahead of his NW200 debut. Glenn Irwin also showed incredible resilience, fighting from the back of the grid to 5th in the final race after technical issues.
Official 2026 TT Programme Launched with "Big Four" Cover
The essential guide to the 2026 Isle of Man TT is officially on sale. This year's 104-page programme features a "Big Four" cover, highlighting the dominant forces of the modern era: Michael Dunlop, Peter Hickman, Dean Harrison, and Davey Todd. It also includes the full seeded rider lists, with Dunlop confirmed to lead the field away at Number 6 in the Supersport races.
Franco Bourne Finalises TT Debut Plans with Team ILR
Following his successful outing at Oliver's Mount, Franco Bourne has officially completed his "Pilot Lap" initiative on the Isle of Man. The 2026 newcomer will compete in the Superstock and Sportbike classes for Ian Lougher’s Team ILR. Bourne is being touted as one of the most professional newcomers to join the grid in recent years, with a focus on a long-term career on the roads.
Hengelo 2026: Road Racing Returns to the Continent
The International Road Racing Championship (IRRC) season also burst into life this weekend at Hengelo. Czech road racing giants dominated qualifying, but it was the Sportbike class that provided the closest action, with Williams and Jacobs sharing the spoils. The results highlight the growing strength of the European road racing scene as a feeder for the international events in the UK and Ireland.
Sources
Road Racing News, BikeSport News, Isle of Man TT Official, North West 200 Official, BSB
Official, Crash.net.
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