WHO WILL WIN AT THE 2015 VAUXHALL INTERNATIONAL NORTH WEST 200?

Has there ever been a year when there has been so much expectation and excitement ahead of the start of practice for the Vauxhall International North West 200 as there is in 2015?

This year’s battle for supremacy on the famous 8.9 mile Triangle course is evenly pitched between the local favourites and the visitors in the headline grabbing superbike races.

This tantalising contest has been lent an intriguing twist by the fact that so many of the top stars will be mounted on new and unfamiliar machinery.

Last year’s heroes William and Michael Dunlop, who shared the honours in the Superbike races, are two of the leading contenders who will be trying to find their groove on new metal as William inherits the S1000RR BMW that Michael triumphed on at Portrush last season. The 210 bhp Tyco liveried German superbike will have an initial advantage against Michael’s untried and untested Milwaukee R1 Yamaha but most observers feel that if there are shortcomings with the new Japanese machine they will be more than compensated for by the younger Dunlop’s intense determination and stunning skill.

Although Alastair Seeley’s 2014 North West was detuned by his spectacular coming together with Lee Johnston at Metropole during Saturday;s opening Supersport race, the Carrickfergus man was still a double winner in Thursday evening’s Supersport and Superstock races. Now a 12 times North West victor, the Tyco BMW mounted ‘Wee Wizard’ is chasing down the record of another racing hero of diminutive stature. Robert Dunlop remains the most successful NW200 rider of all-time with 15 victories to his credit but Seeley has set his sights on the late Ballymoney legend’s tally. The 35 year old is coming to Portrush on a high having won the British Superstock race at Oulton Park a fortnight ago.

Seeley is not the only rider chasing Dunlop’s record.

Michael Rutter has scored 13 wins at Portrush since his first meeting in 1992 and the Midlands man will be riding a S1000RR BMW for the German Penz13.com squad in the big bike races. The 43 year old will also line-up on a Gear Link Kawasaki in both Supersport races alongside newcomers Glenn Irwin and Ben Wilson. Irwin, who is currently riding high in the British Supersport series, has been vocal in his belief hat he can win on his North West debut and he will have four chances to do so as he is competing in the 600cc races as well as both Supertwins events on the VRS ER6 Kawasaki.

2015 Supersport podium finisher Gary Johnson will line up on two factory supported machines at this year’s North West with the Martrain Yamaha R6 in the 600cc races and the GBMoto ZX10R Kawasaki in the Superbike events.

The Lincolnshire rider will be a contender in both classes if he can find the same speed that carried him to his second Supersport TT win last year.

Johnson’s Martrain teammate, Dean Harrison, has little North West experience but the Bradford rider will enjoy the advantage of racing the second R1 Yamaha in the North West field for the Saintfield based squad.

In spite of the attention that is being focussed on the fortunes of the new hi-tech machinery in this year’s races, the challenge of the trio of top riders entered on the aging but well proven Hondas shouldn’t overlooked.

Bruce Anstey will be seeking to extend his remarkable record of having finished on the podium at every North West for a 13th consecutive season on the Valvoline Padgett’s Fireblade.

Now fully recovered from the wrist injury that destroyed his 2014 season, John McGuinness is fired up for the new season on his factory Fireblade and his teammate Conor Cummins will be seeking to improve on his podium finishes at last year’s race.

Fermanagh’s Lee Johnston was a double winner in the Supertwins class at last year’s North West but he won’t line up on the little bikes this year, preferring to concentrate on mounting a strong challenge in the Superbike races on yet another BMW with the East Coast Racing squad.

One man who has been quietly going about his business and staying under the radar this season is Ian Hutchinson. The Bingley Bullet had a quiet 2014 but the PBM Kawasaki rider is mounted on a ZX10R that is the current holder of the BSB title and the 2010 TT five time winner is fitter than ever, having raced in all three of the opening BSB meetings this year.

It would be a fairytale comeback for Hutchy if he could win at the circuit where he last triumphed in 2010 but surely the biggest cheer from the huge North West crowds would be reserved for a Guy Martin win.

The Tyco BMW racer has never won at Portrush and with the announcement that he is considering retirement at the end of the season, this may well be the Lincolnshire rider’s last chance. A win for the fast talking lorry mechanic/celebrity racer would be hugely popular with his legions of adoring Irish fans.

The first moves will be made in the intriguing 2015 North West 200 contest when the roads close from 9.15am on Tuesday morning until 2.45pm for practice. After qualifying on Thursday morning (roads close 9.15am-2.45pm) competition will begin in earnest with the EventServ Supersport race, the Vauxhall Supertwin race and the Spidi Superstock race after the roads close at 5.15pm.

The roads will close at 9.30am for Saturday’s five race line -up of BetMcLean.com Supersport race, Monster Energy Superbike race, Anchor Complex Supertwin race, CP Hire Superstock race and the feature Vauxhall North West 200 Superbike race.