BSB contender Glenn Irwin set for North West 200 return in 2026 on Nitrous Competitions Racing Ducati

The Carrickfergus man became the most successful Superbike rider in history at the famous Northern Ireland road race in 2024, sealing a treble on the PBM Ducati to surpass Joey Dunlop and Michael Rutter and extending his tally of premier class victories to 11 in a row around the 8.9-mile ‘Triangle’ course.

Irwin announced his decision to retire from road racing in October 2024, with the father of three citing family reasons at the time.

However, the 35-year-old says the opportunity to return to the north coast meeting with reigning BSB champions Nitrous Competitions Racing on a Ducati V4R was “too good to turn down”.

“Everything has fallen into place to allow this to happen and the package is too good to turn it down,” said Irwin, who remains the outright lap record holder at the event.

“The North West is a big part of why I have the new deal with the Nitrous Competitions team for the BSB series on the new Ducati. The team wants to get its first North West win so we will come from the first British Superbike round at Oulton Park to the north coast and I have no doubts about the plan.”

Irwin’s hopes of challenging for the BSB title last year were thwarted by a crash at Snetterton, which left him with fractures to his hip socket and pelvis.

However, he has made a strong recovery and is looking ahead to the new season.

“I hope people respect my decision and understand that my career was nearly over last year,” he added.

“Now I am back with a very competitive package for BSB because of the North West 200 and we are all in again and going to do a job.”

In his absence last year, Davey Todd and Michael Dunlop were the Superbike winners at the North West, but Irwin has made his intentions clear as he prepares to defend his proud record.

“I want to pick up where I left off last time,” he said.

“I love it up on the north coast, it feels like my back garden for a reason and I will be chasing three North West Superbike wins again.

“I will feel my way back into it again and hit the ground running. The next ten weeks will be spent in Spain with the family, training and taking in some track days so that I can bring the best prepared Glenn Irwin to BSB and the North West.”

Race chief Mervyn Whyte said the development was the “biggest news in road racing for 2026”.

“This is undoubtedly the biggest and most exciting news in road racing for 2026 and we are delighted to welcome Glenn back to the North West 200,” said Whyte.

“Glenn is a huge favourite with the fans who will be thrilled at the prospect of seeing him battling wheel to wheel once again with his arch-rivals around the famous Triangle course.

“He lit the north coast up when he last raced at the North West in 2024 and I have no doubt Glenn will do the same again come May.”

Race week at the North West 200 takes place from May 4-9.