Former British Superbike rider Carl Phillips determined to retain Ulster Superbike crown on new BMW backed by Bell Bikesport and B&W Racing

The Lisburn man, who won the prestigious Sunflower Trophy race for the first time last October at Bishopscourt, is getting to grips with the M1000RR machine after riding a Kawasaki for SBT Racing in 2025.

Phillips clinched the USBK title for the second time in 2025 after making his return to the sport following an absence of two years.

The former Gearlink Kawasaki British Superbike rider also intends to ride a Yamaha R6 in the Ulster Supersport Championship after the North West 200.

Phillips will compete in the Superbike and Superstock classes at the north coast road race on the BMW but will also have a Ducati Panigale V2 for the Supersport races, which he tested recently at Almeria and Andalucia in Spain.

Phillips was originally due to ride for the Lionheart Moto Racing Team this year, but has teamed up with Bell Bikesport and B&W Racing after those plans fell through.

Sheffield’s Joe Sheldon will compete in the British Supersport Championship for Dwayne McCracken’s Lionheart team on a Kawasaki.

The Ulster Superbike Championship gets under way this weekend with the Easter Enkalon Trophy meeting at Bishopscourt in Co Down and Phillips says he has a “lot to learn” with the German machine.

“A big thanks to Stuart Bell at Bell Bikesport for stepping in after things didn’t work out,” Phillips said.

“I didn’t get to ride the BMW in Spain but I was on the Ducati V2 for four days at Almeria and Andalucia and it was absolutely mega.

“It was really good but I won’t be riding the Ducati now until a few days before the North West, when I’ll get a couple of days on it.

“It’s quick in terms of getting out of the corners but it’s quite a nervous bike on the front end and Michael [Dunlop] said the same thing. It still rides amazing, but it doesn’t feel like an R6 or Suzuki, basically because there’s no real chassis on it.

“I’ll be riding the BMW Superstock at the North West and the V2, and I’ll be riding in the Superbike races on the ’stocker, so it’ll be busy.

“After the North West, I’ll ride the team’s Yamaha R6 in the Ulster Superbike Championship.

“I’ve only had one go on the BMW but it’s some bike and there’s just a lot to learn in such a short time with next weekend starting the season,” he added.

“It’s a massive change and everything feels new and completely different, but I just want to retain that championship.”

Phillips will also have the opportunity to compete in the National Superstock 1000 Championship this year at selected rounds.

He said: “I’ll definitely be doing Thruxton and an Oulton Park and Donington round, but we just need to get up to speed on it once we get the season started.”

Phillips was due to participate in a test on the BMW with the team at Bishopscourt on Sunday.