Peter Hickman has declared that the 2025 North West 200 in North Ireland was “probably my last” following a controversial incident in the second Superbike race in which Michael Dunlop was awarded the win, despite cutting a chicane.
Hickman’s teammate and co-owner in the 8Ten Racing Team, Davey Todd, led the race until the final lap, when Dunlop caught and passed him. However, this came after both he and Hickman cut the Mather’s Cross chicane. As per the rules, Hickman stopped in the off-line box and put his foot down and rejoined, whereas Dunlop rode back onto the circuit without doing so and was initially given a 10-second penalty.This was rescinded post-race, giving Dunlop the win over a furious Todd, with Hickman taking third.
“A bit of a sad end, really, and there’s a lot of stuff going on, a lot of things happened that shouldn’t have happened, so that’ll probably be my last ever North West, unfortunately,” Hickman told the Belfast News Letter following Superbike Race 3 at the North West 200, which he retired from with a technical problem on the first lap, “We’re not going to be here and be treated the way we’re being treated, and rules being bent for certain people but not others. It’s not right, it’s not fair, so that’s it, I’m afraid.”
The incident cast a shadow over the event in which Todd, Dunlop and Richard Cooper were the stars. Dunlop came away with three wins in the Supersport, Superstock and Superbike classes, Todd likewise took three wins in the Superbike and Superstock classes, Richard Cooper took two from three wins in the Supertwins class, and Paul Jordon took a maiden win in the second Supertwins event. CN
Click here for all the latest Road Racing news.
