2026 Briggs Equipment North West 200 Newcomers day

A large contingent of new talent attended the Newcomer’s day of the 2026 Briggs Equipment North West 200 on May 4-9 during Thursday.

Twelve riders from England, Scotland, Ireland-north and south, Austria, Belgium and the Isle of Man took part in an induction day led by eight times NW200 race winner, Steve Plater, the event’s Rider Liaison officer.

Following a morning spent in the classroom the line-up were given a guided lap of the 8.9 mile Triangle course in a coach before paying a sight- seeing visit to Bushmills Distillery.

Another classroom session with a second  visit to the course on Friday.

“We have an impressive list of new talent in 2026 and it is important that we make sure newcomers are properly prepared for their first outing on the Triangle course.” Event Director, Mervyn Whyte, said.

“Steve Plater has been there and done it at the North West so he can provide invaluable guidance based on that experience.”

Amongst the line-up is Austrian rider, Florian Aster. The 30 year old has been competing in the International Road Racing championship and he will race a BMW in the Superstock and Superbike races at Portrush.

” I hope to have a good experience.” he said.

“It is cool that you can see all the people and the sea at the start. But it is a very fast track and I have to learn the track.”

Twenty eight year old Sean Brolly doesn’t have as far to travel to the Triangle course from his home at Tamnaherin, Co. Derry.

“I did the Armoy road races in 2023 and that was me hooked on the roads.” the 28 year old explained.

Brolly’s 2025 success, winning the Senior Support race at Tandragee 100 before taking a strong third in the second Supertwins race at Armoy, has boosted his confidence.

“I will race a Ducati in the North West Supersport races and an Aprilia in the Twins events.” Brolly explained.

“I’ve been doing lots of homework and I am flat out watching onboard laps on the internet.”

Following in the wheeltracks of his famous father, Richard ‘Milky’ Quayle, 22 year old Isle of Man racer, Iliam Quayle, will make his debut at Portrush in the Supertwin races on an ILR Paton with another road racing legend, Ian Lougher.

“I just want to come to the North West to qualify, learn and understand.” Quayle, who race in the British Superstock series last year, explained.

“The level is super high and I learned a lot about myself. I was happy with my first year on a big bike.”

Quayle will compete at the Scarborough Spring Cup and Cookstown 100 before he arrives at the North West.

“This will be my first season of road racing and I know that it is going to be hard and different  but I am looking forward to the challenge.” Quayle said.

“I want to keep building to a road racing future.”

In terms of road racing experience, Hawick’s Chris Cook is at the other end of the spectrum to Iliam Quayle.

The 37 year old, who has been racing for 15 seasons, says he has wanted to do the North West for years but struggled to get the package pulled together.

“I will be there this year and with just one bike in the Supersport class on a ZXR6 Kawasaki for STS Racing” he explained.

“I am not sure what to expect but having just one bike will make life easier.”

Cook was reunited at the Newcomers Day with Donegal’s Caomhan Canny who pipped the Scot by just 0.529 second in last year’s Senior Manx Grand Prix on the Isle of Man.

The Scot led all four laps of the race until the last mile when Canny got his nose in front, leaving Cook in tears as he took the win.

“I hoped I’d never see him again.” Cook laughed as he embraced Canny during the Newcomer’s Day.

 

 

PACEMAKER, BELFAST, 26/2/2026: Briggs Equipment North West 200Õs Mervyn Whyte and Stanleigh Murray join the large contingent of new talent that attended Thursdays newcomers day.
Looking forward to race week on May 4-9 are Sean Brolly, Florian Aster, Caomhan Canny, Stephen Gorton, Grant Thomson, Illiam Quayle, Chris Cook, Lee Osprey, Mark Hewitt, Lee Hara, Eddy Wormald, Fedrik Matthys and ESR supremo, Laurent Hoffman.

PICTURE BY STEPHEN DAVISON