A host of North West 200 newcomers were shown around the 8.9-mile Triangle course on Thursday by former winner Steve Plater as they gear up for their debuts in May.

Twelve riders from Northern Ireland, England, Scotland, Republic of Ireland, Austria, Belgium and the Isle of Man took part in an induction day led by eight-time NW200 race winner, Steve Plater, the event’s Rider Liaison officer.

The riders were taken on a guided lap of the 8.9-mile Triangle course before visiting the Bushmills Distillery.

Event Director Mervyn Whyte said: “We have an impressive list of new talent in 2026 and it is important that we make sure newcomers are properly prepared for their first outing on the Triangle course.

placeholder image — Briggs Equipment North West 200’s Mervyn Whyte and Stanleigh Murray with 2026 newcomers including Sean Brolly, Florian Astner, Caomhan Canny, Stephen Gorton, Grant Thomson, Illiam Quayle, Chris Cook, Lee Osprey, Mark Hewitt, Lee Hara, Eddy Wormald, Fedrik Matthys and ESR supremo, Laurent Hoffman. (Photo by Stephen Davison/Pacemaker Press)

"Steve Plater has been there and done it at the North West so he can provide invaluable guidance based on that experience."

Amongst the line-up is Austrian rider, Florian Astner. The 30-year-old has been competing in the International Road Racing championship and will race a BMW in the Superstock and Superbike races at Portrush.

"I hope to have a good experience,” he said.

"It is cool that you can see all the people and the sea at the start. But it is a very fast track and I have to learn the track."

Twenty-eight-year-old Sean Brolly doesn't have as far to travel to the Triangle course from his home at Tamnaherin, Co. Londonderry.

"I did the Armoy road races in 2023 and that was me hooked on the roads,” said Brolly, who won the Senior Support race at the Tandragee 100 in 2025 and finished third in the Supertwin race at Armoy.

"I will race a Ducati in the North West Supersport races and an Aprilia in the Twins events. I've been doing lots of homework and I am flat out watching onboard laps on the internet."

Following in the wheel-tracks of his famous father, Richard 'Milky' Quayle is 22-year-old Isle of Man racer, Illiam Quayle, who will make his debut in the Supertwin races on an ILR Paton in Ian Lougher’s team.

"I just want to come to the North West to qualify, learn and understand,” said Quayle, who rode in the British Superstock series last year.

"The level is super high and I learned a lot about myself. I was happy with my first year on a big bike."

Quayle will compete at the Scarborough Spring Cup and Cookstown 100 before he arrives at the North West.

"This will be my first season of road racing and I know that it is going to be hard and different but I am looking forward to the challenge,” he added. "I want to keep building to a road racing future."

Also making their debuts are Senior Manx GP winner Caomhan Canny and runner-up Chris Cook – separated by only half-a-second in last year’s race – and Coleraine’s Lee Hara.

Cook has wanted to do the North West for years.

"I will be there this year and with just one bike in the Supersport class on a ZX-6R Kawasaki for STS Racing,” he said.

"I am not sure what to expect but having just one bike will make life easier."