MOTORCYCLING: Hickman registers two podium finishes at North West 200

Peter Hickman registered a second, third and fourth plus a 12th and 15th place in his five races at the North West 200 races last week.
Peter Hickman on his way to third place in the Supersport race. Photo: Baylon McCaugheyPeter Hickman on his way to third place in the Supersport race. Photo: Baylon McCaughey
Peter Hickman on his way to third place in the Supersport race. Photo: Baylon McCaughey

It was only his second time at the Northern Ireland annual races which he missed last year as he was sidelined through injury, so to produce such good results WAS even more special.

Thursday’s Supersport race did not go to plan though as he ran on during the first lap so lost the tow from the leaders and ended up 12th. The Supertwin had a clutch problem so Hicky pulled out at the end of the second lap. But the race was red flagged as he went over the line and he was therefore given a finish of 15th.

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Hicky, who lives near Cadwell Park, recorded his first podium finish at the NW200 by taking third place in the Supersport race on Saturday. Riding the Trooper Beer Iron Maiden Kawasaki, he actually finished in fourth place but Lee Johnston was penalised 10 seconds and Peter was elevated to third.

Peter Hickman on the second step of the podium for the Superstock race. Photo: Baylon McCaugheyPeter Hickman on the second step of the podium for the Superstock race. Photo: Baylon McCaughey
Peter Hickman on the second step of the podium for the Superstock race. Photo: Baylon McCaughey

He said: “The Supersport class is never going to be my strongest because of my size so to end up on the podium is absolutely mega. It’s a big credit to the team, Trooper and to Iron Maiden who have helped out and Chris Walker Kawasaki; it’s been absolutely mega and it’s great to give them a result back.”

Because of delays on Thursday, the first Superstock race was moved to Saturday which meant Hicky would have six races to contest. But international road racing rules dictate riders can only compete in five races on the day so because of contractual reasons he opted to withdraw from the Supertwin race and concentrate on the bigger bikes.

Next up was the Superstock race and Hicky was on the Speedfit GBmoto machine. He began the race from the front row and as the lights went out he was second away, taking the lead at the roundabout first time around. The race was stopped on the third lap and restarted to run over five laps.

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Hicky got away to another good start and was third, remaining with the leaders tucked in behind Ian Hutchinson. He passed Hutchy on lap two and was only 0.2sec behind the leader as they started the third lap. He nipped through to take the lead at the roundabout on the drive out of the corner but was pushed back to third and then to fourth on the run to the line to start lap four.

Peter Hickman on the second step of the podium for the Superstock race. Photo: Baylon McCaugheyPeter Hickman on the second step of the podium for the Superstock race. Photo: Baylon McCaughey
Peter Hickman on the second step of the podium for the Superstock race. Photo: Baylon McCaughey

Still in the leading group, Hicky was in fifth place for most of the fourth lap but on the final lap he made it through to fourth, and when Seeley missed his braking point he took the advantage and moved through to second which he held to take his personal best result of the week.

In the Superbike race, Hicky began his assault from the middle of the second row and was up to third as the race got underway. There were six riders all challenging for the lead throughout the race with Hicky in a very close fifth place on lap three. He moved up to fourth one lap later but once again the red flag brought the race to an early end.

Due to a fatality in the Supertwin race, the rest of the meeting was abandoned.

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The Lincolnshire rider now turns his attention back to the British Superbike championship as he travels to Brands Hatch for the third round of the series. As usual the qualifying and both races will be screened live on British Eurosport Two.

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