NW200: Five-star Glenn Irwin prevails for narrow Superbike triumph over Davey Todd

The duo traded blows all the way through the six-lap thriller in warm sunshine on the north coast, but it was British Superbike contender Irwin who prevailed to give the new Honda CBR1000RR-R Superbike its maiden victory on the roads.

Carrickfergus man Irwin squeezed his way past Todd at Metropole on the last lap and defended his line into Juniper chicane, holding off the Milenco by Padgett’s Honda rider by only 0.253s at the line.

Richard Cooper shone again on the Hawk Suzuki in third, 11 seconds back, with Josh Brookes taking fourth on the MCE Ducati as he returned to the North West 200 for the first time since 2014.

Alastair Seeley, a double winner in the Supersport and Superstock races in Thursday’s weather-hit races, was fifth on his IFS Yamaha Superstock machine, while Manx rider Conor Cummins (Milenco by Padgett’s Honda) finalised the top six.

James Hillier finished seventh on the OMG Yamaha with 14-time winner Michael Rutter in eighth on the Bathams BMW.

Peter Hickman shattered the lap record on his FHO Racing BMW with a speed of 124.799mph, but Hickman – whose prospects were ended when he overshot at University on the first lap – retired on lap five after hauling himself back into contention for the top six.

Irwin took the lead from pole as Hickman in second place fluffed his lines.

Todd made an excellent start and was into second place and chasing down Irwin as the top two opened a slight advantage on the first lap.

Irwin held a slender gap of 0.3s at the end of the lap over Todd, who was 2.3s clear of Cooper, with Michael Dunlop right behind his fellow Hawk Suzuki rider.

Irwin and Todd were swapping places as they stretched their advantage over Cooper, who was now clear in third.

Dunlop retired in the pits,