NW200: Glenn Irwin plans Triangle return in near future

Irwin has been forced to miss the event due to his commitments in the British Superbike Championship with Paul Bird’s Be Wiser Ducati team as he focuses on his rookie season in the series.

Last year, he made an incredible debut at the north coast road race, finishing as the runner-up in the second Supersport event behind Alastair Seeley on the Gearlink Kawasaki.

Irwin was also hot on Seeley’s tail in the opening 600cc race until he was forced out with machine trouble.

The Ulster rider, who is in attendance at the North West 200 this week, said: “I’d love to be out there now to be honest and last year it was a debut that I’ll probably never forget.

“It was a debut that I felt would never happen in that way because I thought I’d have been around 12th in my own head.

“It would’ve been lovely to come here with that experience behind me but I’ve got a great opportunity in British Superbikes and it’d be foolish to throw that away,” he added.

“The dream is to stay where I am and talk to the Birdman [Paul Bird] about coming back here next year.”

Reflecting on his performances so far in BSB, with Irwin achieving his best result of seventh in race two at Oulton Park, he added: “In terms of results, I’ve had four points-scoring finishes but there’s a lot to be gained yet with the Ducati and everyone in the team is working really hard.”