Roads: Sheils takes superbike win at weather hampered Cookstown 100

Derek Sheils and Michael Dunlop took victories as the 2018 road racing season got underway at a weather-troubled Cookstown 100 this weekend.

Changing conditions and a spate of crashes brought the event to an early end with organisers choosing to abandon the meeting on safety grounds, meaning the Cookstown 100 feature race could not go ahead.

Dunlop opened the day with victory in the invitation 600 race aboard his Carl Cox-backed CBR600RR. After a six bike dice in the early stages, Dunlop would pull 2.869 seconds over second placed Adam McLean by the end of the race. James Cowton completed the podium on the second McAdoo Kawasaki.

Having proven hard to beat at Cookstown in recent years, Derek Sheils took victory in the Superbike class despite having to start from the second group after machine issues in qualifying.

The Irishman crossed the line almost five seconds ahead of Michael Dunlop, who made his debut with the Tyco BMW squad at the Orritor circuit this weekend. Michael Sweeney finished third.

James Cowton won the Supersport Championship race from team-mate Adam McLean with Sheils in third. Having won the opening 600 race on his CBR600RR, Michael Dunlop finished fourth when the race was red flagged on lap five.

Derek McGee took the spoils in the Moto3 race, beating Adam McLean who broke the lap record on his way to second place.

The Supertwins race would be stopped three times before a result was declared with Adam McLean taking victory ahead of circuit newcomers Daniel Mettam and Davey Todd.

Despite a heavy number of falls due to the changing weather, it’s understood there were no serious injuries sustained.