Adam McLean 'disappointed' as North West 200 hit by coronavirus but stresses 'people's health is all that matters'

The McAdoo Racing rider was ruled out of the event in 2019 through injury following a crash at the Tandragee 100 and with the international road race not taking place in May as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, McLean will have to wait even longer to return to the 8.9-mile Triangle course.

However, the Tobermore man says there are much bigger issues of concern and stressed that people’s health is all the matters amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

McLean told the News Letter: “It’s the second year I’ll have missed the North West but we’re all in the same boat and people’s health is the most important thing at the moment rather than racing.

“Survival instinct almost kicks in and at the moment I’m just trying to keep working as long as I can before the country goes into lockdown. Will we even get any racing at all before the end of the year? Hopefully we can and I know the Cookstown 100 is looking at running in September, but it doesn’t look as though this virus is going to clear up anytime soon.

“As far as national emergencies go it’s the biggest one we gave faced since the Second World War. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic and we all have to face it together.”

Although the road racing season appears to be wiped out by coronavirus, McLean does expect to race this season in the National Superstock 600 Championship after signing a deal to ride a Yamaha R6 for Binch Racing.

“I’ve a deal in the British championship this year so at least it looks like I’ll get some racing done, but when that will be is debatable,” he said.

“The Silverstone test is due on April 2 but you have to think that it looks unlikely at the moment because this is only going to get worse.

“It’s progressing day-by-day so we just have to wait and see how it will all pan out and try and stay safe.”