NW200: Hickman sees off Seeley in Superstock thriller

Peter Hickman was triumphant in a stunning opening Superstock race at this year’s North West 200 after a bold last lap move on Tyco BMW’s Alastair Seeley.

The Smiths BMW rider took the lead in the early stages, but it was Seeley that led the majority of the race. It had looked as though the Ulsterman would pull his usual trick and stretch the lead towards the end, but Hickman held on to his tails and made up ground on the coast road on the final lap to get close enough to pull a move at the Juniper chicane.

Not one to give up, Seeley pushed Hickman hard, but it ended up being too much for the 22-time North West winner as he nearly highsided from his S1000RR as they came into the start finish.

Michael Dunlop, who had led the race in the early stages, crossed the line third to take his first podium of the event.

Veteran Michael Rutter took another strong fourth place to complete an all BMW top four with the first non-S1000RR home being James Hillier in fifth for JG Speedfit Kawasaki.

Dean Harrison completed the top six ahead of close friend Lee Johnston on the Honda Racing Fireblade ahead of Dave Johnson and Sam West, while Derek McGee rounded out the top ten.

Returning from the injury he sustained in last year’s Senior TT, Ian Hutchinson finished 13^th despite starting from the second wave after a tough qualifying.  

1. Peter Hickman – Smiths BMW – 4’24.066
2. Alastair Seeley – Tyco BMW +0.578 
3. Michael Dunlop – Carl Cox MD Racing BMW +1.150 
4. Michael Rutter – Bathams BMW +2.171
5. James Hillier – JG Speedfit Kawasaki +16.248 
6. Dean Harrison – Silicone Engineering Kawasaki +16.630 
7. Lee Johnston – Honda Racing +27.586
8. Gary Johnson – RAF Regular and Reserves Kawasaki +38.326 
9. Sam West – BMW +1 Lap 
10. Derek McGee – Kawasaki + 1 Lap