Proud and sore Davey Todd claims a well deserved 'big bike win' in North West 200 Superstock race

Davey Todd celebrates with his team after winning the Superstock race

Davey Todd on his way to victory in the Superstock race

thumbnail: Davey Todd celebrates with his team after winning the Superstock race
thumbnail: Davey Todd on his way to victory in the Superstock race
James Robinson

An emotional Davey Todd shrugged off his Supersport heartbreak to set a new Superstock lap record on his way to a maiden victory in the class at the North West 200.

The Saltburn man was one of the big favourites for glory in the earlier Supersport race but Todd’s chances were thwarted on the first lap after he was taken down by a wayward Adam McLean while leading at York corner.

Todd worried he may not be fit enough to take his place on the grid for the final race of the night but he battled through the pain barrier to clinch a deserved success for Northern Ireland’s TAS Racing team on the Milwaukee BMW.

He was pushed by Honda Racing’s Dean Harrison during the four-lap finale but always appeared to have enough in hand over the Bradford man, maintaining a gap of around 0.6s.

The outcome of the race was ultimately decided when Harrison made an error on the brakes at Mather’s chicane on the last lap, leaving Todd with a commanding advantage.

He wrapped up his fourth win overall at the North West by seven seconds from Harrison, who was clear of Michael Dunlop as the Ballymoney man claimed his third podium result of the evening on his MD Racing Honda.

Todd said: “This one means a lot. To be honest, a lot went through my mind. I was sat by the side of the track; I was hurting a lot and you start thinking was I going to be able to finish the weekend? Am I going to be racing?

“I’m glad I did. I think I’m going to be sore tomorrow, I’m glad I’ve got a day off now.

“I didn’t think I would be sitting on a bike to be honest. But I said to the boys that I would give it a go and see how it feels. They have put in so much work to make the bike what it is – it’s awesome to ride.

“I’m so happy with where I am at right now and hopefully we can keep this going. It’s nice to get my first big bike win because I’ve always felt I was a big bike rider.”

Runner-up Harrison said he felt comfortable in second place behind Todd before pushing hard on the last lap.

“I was sat there about half a second off and sat there quite comfortably,” he said.

“I had a bit of go on the last lap to try and bridge the gap. Mather’s Cross is quite undulating and I ran through, the foot went down again.

“Happy with the pace, the bike has been working well.

“Davey has been riding really well on that bike all year in the Superstock championship and to come here and be that close bodes quite well for the coming few weeks and the TT.”

James Hillier (WTF Racing Honda) kept John McGuinness (Honda Racing) at bay for fourth place while 2022 Macau Grand Prix winner Erno Kostamo (Penz BMW) edged out Irishman Mike Browne (Aprilia) for sixth.