Stacey and Hodson to make North West 200 debuts

Storm Stacey and Rob Hodson will make their debuts at the North West 200 road race in May.

Leading British Superbike rider Stacey will ride a Bathams V4 Ducati and says he "loved" watching the international road race as a spectator last year.

The 22-year-old will also ride a R6 Yamaha in the Supersport class and a Superstock bike has yet to be announced.

"The Irish fans are really cool, they get right behind you, and the atmosphere was amazing," Stacey said.

"The course is fast and I want to get out there and see what it feels like to go down a 'B' road, five abreast, at 200mph on a superbike."

Experienced Wigan rider Hodson will also make his North West debut in May.

The 38-year-old is a podium sitter at the Isle of Man TT and has won races at te Manx Grand Prix and Southern 100.

"I've always wanted to race at the North West and I get asked a lot why I haven't.' Hodson explained.

"This is my fourth year with SMT and we are sorted early with bikes and engines. We will have Hondas in the Superbike and Superstock classes, a Ducati for Supersport and a Paton in the Twins races plus spare engines for all the bikes. So we are in the position now to come over and give the North West a good go and I can concentrate on the racing."

The North West 200 takes place from 4-9 May on 8.9 miles of closed public roads on the north coast of Northern Ireland.

Caomhan Canny, the 2025 Manx Grand Prix winner, Lliam Quayle, the son of Isle of Man TT winner Milky, France Bourne, Sean Brolly, Lee Hara, Lee Osprey, Kieran Brockie, Grant Thomson, Eddy Wormald and Chris Cook will also make their first appearances at the North West 200.

Fredrik Matthys, Florian Astner, Rutger Peersman and Anssi Koski will also race at the event as it forms a round of the new European Series Road Racing.