RICHARD COOPER’S SUZUKI SWITCH FOR 2026 BRIGGS EQUIPMENT NORTH WEST 200 ON MAY 4-9

Richard Cooper’s challenge at the 2026 Briggs Equipment North West 200 is set to continue with a new manufacturer and team in the Supertwin/Sportbike races during 2026 race week on May 4-9.

The 43 year old triumphed in the Maxwell Freight Services Supertwin and Tides Restaurant Supersport races last year, bringing his NW200 victory tally on the 8.9 mile Triangle course to seven.
All five of Cooper’s Supertwin successes have been achieved on Ryan Farquhar- built KMR ER6 Kawasakis but with the introduction of new Sportbike machinery to the Twins class in 2026, the Nottingham rider has decided it is time for a new challenge.

Breaking with Farquhar’s KMR team, Cooper has joined Brad Clarke’s Powerslide Suzuki squad as the Japanese manufacturer’s official Sportbike entrant on the new GSX8R machine. Clarke, who also competes at the North West 200, runs Suzuki’s Sportbike effort in the British championship.

“We understand the difficulty in keeping the ER6 competitive each year.” Cooper explained during a visit to the north coast this week.

“It is becoming more and more difficult for Ryan to work against the new bikes that are coming along, bikes with bigger ‘cc’ engines. It is a difficult task that costs money, time and effort so we have come to the decision to go our separate ways, amicably.”

Cooper is keen to make the move to Sportbike machinery on the introduction of the new rules for the Maxwell Transport Services and John M Paterson supported races, even if he isn’t an immediate winner.

“In my opinion it is where the class is going in the future.” he said.

“Being the first person to make the jump to the Sportbike category is an important one. Equally, it is a risky one. But I do believe we will be on a competitive bike and hopefully keep my podium presence.”

Cooper, who won two British Superstock 1000cc titles in 2011 and 2019 with the Buildbase Suzuki team, also claimed his first taste of North West 200 success on a GSXR1000 during his 2019 debut at Portrush. He is hoping the Suzuki omens will work in his favour come May.

“I podiumed on my debut with Buildbase Suzuki in the Superstock class as an official entrant.” Cooper recalled.

“This will be me returning with Suzuki, yes, in a different class, but I think one of equal importance to the manufacturer and a step towards the future as to what is going to happen with this class.”

Sportbike success won’t be the only honours Cooper will be chasing at this year’s North West as he aims to make his presence felt in the Fraser Homes and Tides Restaurant Supersport races with Alastair Russell’s Yamaha squad.

“I will be sticking with the team, there is no reason to change, and it will definitely be on a Yamaha.” Cooper, who claimed his second victory in the middleweight class last year, said.

But which Yamaha it will be, either the tried and tested R6 or the new generation R9 machine, has still to be decided, he explained.

PACEMAKER, BELFAST, 5/3/2026: Five times Briggs Equipment North West 200 Supertwin race winner, Richard Cooper, is making the move to Sportbike machinery for the Maxwell Transport Services and J M Paterson races during 2026 NW200 race week on May 4-9 .

As the official Suzuki GB entrant, Cooper will race a GSXR8R supplied by Brad Cooper of Powerslide Suzuki. Also included is NW200 race director, Mervyn Whyte.

PICTURE BY STEPHEN DAVISON