British Superbike star Storm Stacey confirmed for road racing debut at North West 200 on Michael Rutter's Bathams AJN Racing Ducati
British Superbike contender Storm Stacey will make his debut at this year’s Briggs Equipment North West 200 on a Ducati V4R Superbike for Michael Rutter’s Bathams AJN Racing Team.
The 22-year-old joins a star-studded line-up for the north coast road race from May 6-9, when Stacey will also ride a Yamaha R6 in the Supersport races.
An exciting talent, Stacey is already a BSB race winner following his maiden triumph at Snetterton in 2024.
The Staffordshire rider will also compete in the Superstock class at the North West for 14-time winner Rutter’s outfit, with his machine yet to be confirmed.
Rutter is also hoping to return to action at the North West following a big crash at last year’s Isle of Man TT.
Stacey was among the guests at the official live launch of the NW200 in Belfast at the BBC’s Blackstaff studios and the news comes as a huge boost for the event, with star names including Michael Dunlop, Davey Todd, Peter Hickman, Dean Harrison, Richard Cooper and the returning Glenn Irwin already confirmed for May’s showpiece.
Stacey said: “I came over to watch the North West two years ago and again last year and I loved it.
“The Irish fans are really cool, they get right behind you, and the atmosphere was amazing.
“The course is fast and I want to get out there and see what it feels like to go down a ‘B’ road, five abreast, at 200mph on a Superbike!”
Rutter, who announced this week that his team was switching from BMW to Ducati machinery in BSB, said Stacey was a “real talent”.
“He can go fast on anything and is good at everything, not just the racing but dealing with the media side too,” said Rutter. “The fans love him.
“He came over last year and watched me race at the North West and asked if he could race here himself. I said yes but I told him he just has to come and enjoy it first.
“He’s got the right attitude and his style – the way he rides and particularly how he gets the bike to stop suits the North West 200.”
Wigan’s Rob Hodson was also confirmed as a newcomer this year with Robin Croft’s SMT Racing outfit.
“I’ve always wanted to race at the North West and I get asked a lot why I haven’t,” said the TT podium finisher and Manx Grand Prix winner.
“This is my fourth year with SMT and we are sorted early with bikes and engines. We will have Hondas in the Superbike and Superstock classes, a Ducati for Supersport and a Paton in the Twins races plus spare engines for all the bikes.
“So we are in the position now to come over and give the North West a good go and I can concentrate on the racing.”
Other newcomers include Senior Manx GP winner Caomhan Canny, ex-BSB rider Franco Bourne and Illiam Quayle, son of TT winer Richard ‘Milky’ Quayle.