British Superbike rider Eugene McManus will bid to avenge his last-gasp defeat at the Sunflower Trophy races at Bishopscourt in Co Down
Eugene McManus will be out to avenge his last corner defeat in the Sunflower Trophy Ulster Superbike meeting at Bishopscourt in Co Down next weekend.
The MasterMac Honda British Superbike rider appeared on course to win the showpiece race on his debut for the Hawk Racing team in 2025 when he was pipped by Carl Phillips in a dramatic finish.
McManus made the step up to the British Superbike class with Stuart and Steve Hicken’s team this season after finishing sixth in the Supersport championship.
The Randalstown man is among the big names confirmed for the Hillsborough Club’s Irish motorcycling finale, which takes place on Saturday and Sunday, October 24-25.
In his maiden BSB season, McManus has claimed 19 points going into this weekend’s final round at Brands Hatch in Kent, with his results including 10th place finishes at Snetterton and Thruxton.
The 27-year-old has a year’s experience on the MasterMac Honda under his belt and will be seeking to turn the tables on fellow Ulsterman Phillips, who retained his Ulster Superbike crown last month after a hat-trick in the penultimate round at Bishopscourt.
Phillips is also racing at Brands Hatch this weekend in the National Superstock 1000 races on the Bell Bikesport/B&W Racing BMW as a wildcard.
The Lisburn rider impressed at Thruxton in August, when he led the race before dropping back and finishing seventh behind Australian Billy McConnell, who is also entered for the Sunflower meeting.
The line-up next weekend includes the evergreen Richard Cooper, who will ride the BPE by Russell Racing Yamaha R9 Supersport machine. Cooper is also entered in the Supertwin races on a KMR Kawasaki for Ryan Farquhar.
British Supersport rider James McManus (MMB Racing) is confirmed along with Oliver Barr, who will ride the Binch Pro Racing Ducati V2.
Korie McGreevy will is gearing up for his race debut with new team SBT Racing at the event on a Ducati V2.
McGreevy is a double Ulster Supersport champion and will make his racing comeback after being absent since the summer, when he aggravated an old shoulder injury.