North West 200 results: Glenn Irwin equals record with Superbike win

Glenn Irwin edged out Davey Todd in a last-lap thriller to clinch his ninth successive Superbike win at the North West 200 on Thursday night.

The Carrick rider held his nerve after a tense duel with Todd over four laps of the Triangle circuit, eventually forcing an error from his rival at Juniper chicane to win by 2.545 seconds.

It saw Irwin equal the record for most Superbike victories at the North West, with the BSB star going level with Joey Dunlop and Michael Rutter.

Read more: NW200 RECAP: Glenn Irwin equals Superbike record with thrilling win

Read more: Two riders taken to hospital after red flag incidents during North West 200

With two more Superbike races to come on Saturday, the chances are the Hager PBM Ducati man will stand alone in the blue riband class.

Irwin told the BBC: "It's an amazing achievement. Those guys (Dunlop and Rutter) had a long career and did it over their whole career. To win nine in a row is incredible.

"That race is a reminder of how tough it is. Some riders want to ride harder than me, I know that. But we still find a way.

"It is a great team, support, family support. And a mindset I don't believe anyone on the grid has. That was the difference."

Meanwhile, Todd went from zero to hero after he was wiped out by Adam McLean in the opening lap of the Supersport race, which was eventually won by Richard Cooper.

The Saltburn rider feared his North West was over after the heavy crash, but he produced a Lazarus-like recovery to win the final race of the night in the Superstocks.

Todd said: "This means a lot. A lot went through my mind when I was sitting on the roadside after the crash. I am hurting a lot.

"And I start thinking will I be able to finish the weekend and will I be racing. I am happy that I still am, but I will be sore tomorrow. I am glad I have a day out."

Michael Dunlop had a positive night despite nursing some injuries of his own following a crash at the recent Cookstown 100. He claimed three podium finishes.

Results

• Superbikes - 1 Glenn Irwin (Ducati); 2 Davey Todd (BMW); 3 Michael Dunlop (Honda).

• Supersports - 1 Richard Cooper (Yamaha); 2 Peter Hickman (Triumph); 3 Michael Dunlop (Triumph).

• Superstocks - 1 Davey Todd (BMW); 2 Dean Harrison (Honda); 3 Michael Dunlop (Honda).

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