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Contenders revving up for North West 200: Alastair Seeley the man to beat

Alastair Seeley looks like the man to beat at the North West 200 
Alastair Seeley looks like the man to beat at the North West 200  Alastair Seeley looks like the man to beat at the North West 200 

This year's North West 200 Superbike race looks like it is shaping up to be one of the most exciting and probably most competitive Superbike races ever.

Almost all the big name riders have endured pre-season difficulties, machinery change, comebacks from injury, so to pick a favourite is not quite as easy as maybe it has been in years gone by.

Here's some of the main contenders for the blue riband event.

Glenn Irwin: The Carrickfergus rider has been the Superbike King at the North West 200 this past two years with three out of four Superbike wins, all on the PBM BeWiser Ducati.

Rides No 1 and has three wins at the North West 200

Alastair Seeley: Another Carrickfergus rider who holds the most wins around the North West 200 and is sure to add to his tally in 2019 on the EHA Supersport Yamaha's, but he wants his Superbike crown back. Looks like the man they all have to beat. Rides No 34 and has 24 wins at the NW 200.

Michael Dunlop: From Ballymoney in Co Antrim, Dunlop needs little introduction to the North West 200. Has had limited pre-season testing this year and has not raced since July in 2018.

Rides No 3 and has five NW wins.

Dean Harrison: A pure road racer from Bradford who has lapped the Isle of Man TT circuit at over 135mph.

Has stuck with the Silicone Engineering Kawasaki for 2019 and has had plenty of pre-season laps under his belt during the opening British Superbike rounds. Rides under No 2 and has no NW wins

Ian Hutchinson: From Bringley in Yorkshire, Hutchinson is one rider who can and has won just about everywhere. Riding for the Honda Racing Team in 2019, Hutchinson suffered horrendous leg injuries at the TT races two years ago but he should now be in tip top form.

Rides No 4 and has three NW wins.

John McGuinness: From Gressington in England, McGuinness is one of the Worlds finest road racers. Has not raced at the North West since his big crash in 2016. Rides No 5 and has six NW wins.

Conor Cummins: From Ramsey in the Isle of Man, the Padgetts Honda rider is one man who can possible cause a surprise. With the same machinery as he had in 2018, Cummins starts the North West with a slight advantage.

Rides under No 10, has no wins at the NW 200.

Lee Johnston: From Maguiresbridge in Fermanagh, the pint-sized racer is capable of winning when you least expect it. Could be another one to watch for an unexpected win. Rides No 13, has three NW wins.

Richard Cooper: The man I expect to ruffle a few feathers this year at the North West 200. The current British Superstock Champion makes his NW200 debut on the Buildbase Suzuki. Rides No 47 and has no NW wins.

Peter Hickman: From Waddington, the Smiths BMW rider took his first win at the North West 200 in 2018. If anyone can Hickman can. Rides No 60 and has one NW win.

Michael Rutter: From Bridgenorth in England, Rutter is probably the most experienced rider in the Superbike class at the event this year. Riding for the Bathams Honda Team Rutter will be looking for nothing short of a podium this year. Rides No 90 and has 14 NW wins.

James Hillier: From Rangwood in England and team-mate to Glenn Irwin in 2019 in the Quattro Plant Kawasaki Team, Hillier has plenty of experience. Rides No 37 and has no NW wins.