2022 NW200: Irwin edges Todd for Superbike race-one win

Glenn Irwin’s phenomenal run of Superbike success at the North West 200 continued on Saturday afternoon as he took his fifth straight win. The Honda Racing rider was made to work all the way though by Davey Todd (Milenco by Padgetts Honda) with the gap between the two just 0.253s at the chequered flag.

Richard Cooper (Hawk Racing Suzuki) took third and although all three smashed the outright lap record, it was Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) who claimed the record with a lap of 124.799mph. He was forced to retire though on lap five. Pole man Irwin made no mistake when the lights turned green and led into York Corner and although he ran wide, he was quickly on the power to maintain his lead over Hickman and Cooper. Todd quickly got up to second and third placed Hickman then ran straight on at University which seemingly ended any hopes of a good result. Irwin’s lead over fellow Honda rider Todd at the end of the first lap was 0.361s with Cooper in third but already 2.7s adrift. Dean Harrison (DAO Racing Kawasaki) was in fourth ahead of Michael Dunlop on the second Hawk Suzuki with Conor Cummins on the second Padgetts Honda, Josh Brookes (MCE Ducati), Alastair Seeley, out on his Superstock machine, Ian Hutchinson and Michael Rutter completing the top ten. Hickman crossed the line in 17th. The Honda pairing continued to forge clear second time around but Todd was sticking with Irwin and the difference between the two was just 0.159s as they flashed across the line to start lap three, Todd setting a new outright lap record of 122.663mph. Cooper remained in third, now 2.9s behind, and although Harrison remained in fourth, Brookes was up to fifth and Hutchinson (Milwaukee BMW) sixth. Hickman was up to 12th but Dunlop was out.