JAMIE COWARD JOINS MITCH REES IN MILENCO BY PADGETTS SQUAD FOR 2026 BRIGGS EQUIPMENT NORTH WEST 200

Jamie Coward has joined the Milenco by Padgetts team to race the squad’s Paton machine in the Maxwell Freight Services and John M Patterson Supertwin races at the 2026 Briggs Equipment North West 200 on May 4-9.

The Yorkshireman will be joined in the team by Kiwi racer, Mitch Rees, who will fly in from New Zealand to begin a second year with the Batley-based squad after making his debut at the North West 200 12 months ago.

“I was gobsmacked and over the moon when Clive rang and asked me to join the team.” Coward smiled. The Hebden Bridge rider will be hoping for better luck at the north coast races than he experienced last year when he crashed out of Saturday’s race on the KTS Racing Kawasaki at Quarry Hill, sustaining head and leg injuries.

“I’m fully recovered from the effects of the crash now and in the best shape of my life.” the 36 year old who has previously been a podium at the north coast races explained.

“As a young rider coming through the ranks I always looked up to Padgett’s. They are an iconic team and I am beaming to be part of it. The Paton is the same one Davey Todd rode last year. It is a proven package so I am hoping to put on a good show.”

Coward will join the Milenco Padgett’s team at a pre-season test in Cartagena with Kiwi racer, Mitch Rees, flying in to take part in the Spanish test before he returns to the north coast races where he made his debut a year ago.

Like Coward, Rees will be hoping for better NW200 luck this time around after his first trip to the north coast also resulted in a huge crash on the approach to Church corner that mangled his Superstock-spec Honda Fireblade and left the Kiwi with broken fingers and busted ribs.

“I was learning by my mistakes and fortunately it wasn’t too costly.” the 33 year old who will compete in the Superbike and Superstock races, explained.

“I just soldiered on and kept going. Our circuits aren’t like the North West or the TT so now I have to learn to ride like you have to do there. I felt I did a good job but I feel it will be better this time and there are changes planned to make things easier.”Jamie Coward has joined the Milenco by Padgetts team to race the squad’s Paton machine in the Maxwell Freight Services and John M Patterson Supertwin races at the 2026 Briggs Equipment North West 200 on May 4-9.

The Yorkshireman will be joined in the team by Kiwi racer, Mitch Rees, who will fly in from New Zealand to begin a second year with the Batley-based squad after making his debut at the North West 200 12 months ago.

“I was gobsmacked and over the moon when Clive rang and asked me to join the team.” Coward smiled. The Hebden Bridge rider will be hoping for better luck at the north coast races than he experienced last year when he crashed out of Saturday’s race on the KTS Racing Kawasaki at Quarry Hill, sustaining head and leg injuries.

“I’m fully recovered from the effects of the crash now and in the best shape of my life.” the 36 year old who has previously been a podium at the north coast races explained.
“As a young rider coming through the ranks I always looked up to Padgett’s. They are an iconic team and I am beaming to be part of it. The Paton is the same one Davey Todd rode last year. It is a proven package so I am hoping to put on a good show.”

Coward will join the Milenco Padgett’s team at a pre-season test in Cartagena with Kiwi racer, Mitch Rees, flying in to take part in the Spanish test before he returns to the north coast races where he made his debut a year ago.

Like Coward, Rees will be hoping for better NW200 luck this time around after his first trip to the north coast also resulted in a huge crash on the approach to Church corner that mangled his Superstock-spec Honda Fireblade and left the Kiwi with broken fingers and busted ribs.

“I was learning by my mistakes and fortunately it wasn’t too costly.” the 33 year old who will compete in the Superbike and Superstock races, explained.

“I just soldiered on and kept going. Our circuits aren’t like the North West or the TT so now I have to learn to ride like you have to do there. I felt I did a good job but I feel it will be better this time and there are changes planned to make things easier.”

Clive Padgett with Jamie Coward and the Milenco by Padgetts Paton that Jamie will race in the Supertwin races at the North West 200 and Isle of Man TT in 2026.