Ulster Superbike champion Carl Phillips will have a target on his back as he opens the defence of his title at the Easter Monday Ulster Superbike meeting at Kirkistown in Co Down.

Phillips won the title for the second time on his comeback in 2025 after taking a few years away from the sport.

The Lisburn man clinched the title for the first time in 2019 and Phillips is gunning for a treble this year after taking on a new challenge following his switch from Kawasaki to BMW machinery.

Phillips rode for Alun Gorman’s SBT Racing Team last year but is spearheading the charge for Bell Bikesport and B&W Racing this season on a BMW M1000RR.

placeholder image — Ulster Superbike champion Carl Phillips with the number one plate on his new Bell Bikesport/B&W BMW

The Sunflower Trophy winner has not yet had much time to get acquainted with the German machine and was denied the opportunity for some much needed track time at Bishopscourt on Saturday, when the 50th Enkalon Trophy meeting was called off in advance of Storm Dave.

However, Phillips will be hoping to put some big points on the board at the Belfast and District Motor Club’s traditional holiday race on the Ards Peninsula, where he faces some stiff opposition from top contenders including Korie McGreevy, Jonny Campbell, Ryan Gibson and Ross Irwin, while Derek Sheils would be a major threat if the Irish rider turns up on his new Cosmic Racing BMW.

“We’re running the number one plate on the Superbike and the main aim is to try and retain that,” Phillips said.

“Bell Bikesport bought the BMW off Ryan [Gibson] and it’ll be good to get some more time on it, but it’ll be tight enough this year because there’s some good riders in the Ulster Superbike Championship and the pace is good.”

Four-time British champion Richard Cooper is entered on the new BPE by Russell Racing Yamaha R9 along with Mike Browne, with Paul Jordan (Jackson Racing) and Michael Sweeney (MJR BMW) also taking the chance for some miles ahead of the road racing season.

Former British Supersport race winner Luke Jones will make his USBK debut on the SBT Racing Ducati alongside team-mate Mark Conlin, who has made the step up from the Supersport class.

The event is also the first round of Kirkistown’s ‘Big 3 Series’, including the King of Kirkistown Superbike race, Prince of Kirkistown Supersport races and the President’s Cup for Supertwin riders.

McAdoo Racing Kawasaki’s McGreevy is the reigning Ulster Supersport champion and his opposition this year for the title includes Christian Elkin, who has changed from a Yamaha R6 to a Ducati Panigale V2 for Bell Bikesport/B&W Racing.

Practice is scheduled to commence at 9am with racing from approximately 11:30am.