Emotional North West 200 podium 'felt like a win' for Michael Sweeney two years after serious crash at north coast meeting

Sweeney claimed the runner-up spot in the second Supertwin race, picking up the pieces after a dramatic incident when race leaders Richard Cooper and Adam McLean collided at Juniper Hill chicane.

Northern Ireland’s Paul Jordan went on to wrap up his first NW200 victory ahead of Sweeney.

“It was a special moment and I never thought I would stand on a podium at an international race and I’ve been coming since 2008,” he said.

“To get it was pretty special for me and second place was brilliant and it was like a win to me.”

Sweeney’s future was in doubt following his crash in the Supertwin race in 2023, when he suffered a broken back, broken ribs, a broken collarbone and hand, and dislocated knee among other injuries.

Reflecting on the incident, Sweeney said his partner Emma Coleman had been instrumental in helping him overcome adversity and return to racing.

“The accident that I had in 2023, I got a bad doing, broke a lot of bones and I was in a bad place and went through an awful lot,” said Sweeney.

“It took me a lot to come through it and come back out the other side, and without the missus I’d probably have been sitting at home feeling sorry for myself.

“She pulled me out of it and got me back to where I am today, so I’m grateful for that and to all the people that stood by me.

“To come back and get a podium in the same race that I had the accident in was special.”

The Irishman will be back on the north coast in May when Sweeney would love to go one better, albeit he jokes he would “need a few breakdowns” to help him stand on the top step.

“You never know, hopefully I could be there to pick up the pieces,” he said.

“I feel confident enough on the smaller bikes and we got a bit more work done to the bike, so hopefully it’s strong enough now to run at the front.

“I don’t know, maybe Richard Cooper might break down or something like that and give us a chance!”