North West 200 marred by first death in ten years following fatal accident during the Superbike qualifying session
The North West 200 was marred by tragedy yesterday following a fatal accident during the Superbike qualifying session on the north coast.
A competitor lost their life following an incident at Station corner, which is the fastest corner on the 8.9-mile course.
His family have given their approval for the event to continue, but requested that his name not be released at this time.
The tragic accident is the first at Northern Ireland’s biggest motorcycle race in ten years, coming after young English rider Malachi Mitchell-Thomas died in a crash in the Supertwin race in 2016.
It was the 20th fatality overall in the 97-year history of the North West 200, which has cast a dark cloud over the remainder of the event.
A statement issued by the organisers on Thursday afternoon read: “A competitor at the 2026 Briggs Equipment North West 200 has died following an incident at Station corner on the NW200 course during this morning’s Superbike qualifying session.
“The session was immediately red flagged and emergency services attended the scene but unfortunately the rider succumbed to his injuries.
“The family have given their approval for the event to continue but have requested that the rider not be named at this time.
“Coleraine and District Motor Club, the organisers of the races, offer our sincere condolences to the family and team.”
Thursday afternoon’s qualifying sessions were curtailed in the aftermath of the incident, while last night’s planned three-race schedule was replaced by further qualifying sessions, which concluded after the News Letter’s print deadline.
Tributes began to flood in for the dead rider, with record 11-time Superbike race winner Glenn Irwin offering his “sincere condolences to the family and team”.
Briggs Equipment Ireland, the title sponsor of the NW200, said the road racing community was “standing together in grief”.
"Our thoughts are with the family, friends and team of the rider who tragically lost his life today during the Superbike qualifying at the North West 200,” a statement read. "The road racing community is a close one, and today it stands together in grief.
"Our deepest sympathies are with all those affected.”
The PHR Performance Racing team, co-owned by leading riders Peter Hickman and Davey Todd, said in a statement: “Sending our deepest condolences to al family & friends, team and all who knew the rider who sadly lost their life this morning. Rest in Peace.”
British Superbike and road racing team DAO Racing, who are running Australian rider Josh Brookes at the North West 200 and Isle of Man TT, said they would “race on in their memory”.
Saturday’s main race schedule features six races, including two Superbike and Supertwin/Sportbike events, and Superstock and Supersport races, with roads due to close from 9am.
Over 100,000 people attend the annual motorcycling showpiece each year, which is the premier event on the Irish road racing calendar.