Peter Hickman is facing a bit of a dilemma when it comes to the NW200 Supersport races, due to be held next month. His ‘Supersport’ machine, Trooper Beer Triumph 765, although eligible in BSB Supersport EVO, and at the Isle of Man TT in the ‘Next Generation’ Supersport class, isn’t compatible with the rules at the North West 200. He’s going to either have to get another bike, or sit this one out.
Unless, of course, he manages to talk the organisers round to his way of thinking. According to one source, the Supersport podium finisher is in talks with Mervyn White, boss of the NW200, to try and come to some arrangement. Changing the rules, this close to the event though, might be a bit of a dodgy move, and is likely to upset the people that have built a Supersport bike as per the current NW200 rules. It would probably upset me.
Hickman has said that if he can’t ride the 765 in the Supersport race, he’ll be sitting the race out. I don’t think that would be the worst thing in the world for him, since he is still expected to be in the Superbike, Superstock and Supertwin races. He’s going to be a busy lad anyway.
Whether Hickman rides in the Supersport race at the NW200 or not, I’ve got a feeling he’ll be doing plenty of wining on his other bikes. He’s the lap record holder at the Ulster GP and the IOM TT, as well as being one of the front runners in BSB. You can bet your bottom dollar, he’ll be up there.
The North West 200 is the first international road race event of the 2022 season, and it kicks off on the 8.9 mile course in a months’ time (10 – 14 May), for the first time in two years. It’s going to be a belter. I can’t wait.
