Richard Cooper takes advantage of rivals being wiped out to claim Supersport win at North West 200

Richard Cooper celebrates winning this evenings first Supersport race with wife Danni and daughter Roxie-Rae

James Robinson

Richard Cooper powered to his first Supersport success at the North West 200 after main rival Davey Todd was wiped out on the first lap while leading at York corner in Portstewart.

Todd was hit by Ulsterman Adam McLean, who tucked the front of his Kawasaki machine, taking both riders down.

That left pole man Cooper clear on the BPE by Russell Racing Yamaha R6 and he led all the way throughout the four-lap race to wrap up his fifth win overall at the event, claiming a coveted success on the big stage for Northern Ireland man Alister Russell’s team.

Peter Hickman took the runner-up spot on his Trooper Triumph by PHR after a last lap pass on Michael Dunlop (MD Racing Triumph) at Metropole in Portrush as they finished over six seconds behind Nottingham’s Cooper.

Race winner Cooper made a poor start and as a result saw the incident involving Todd and McLean happen ahead of him.

“My poor start put me in a position to watch it all unfold,” said the 41-year-old.

“I could see Adam McLean go in real hot. Davey got the Ducati stopped really good and he was going to nail the apex, but before he got there Adam just wiped him out.

“We have to take it when it comes our way. I rode a good race but I didn't realise I was so far in front.

“I felt fairly consistent but I think we have more in the tank if we need it.”

Runner-up Hickman said he had to give himself a pep talk during the race after he was overtaken by Dunlop.

“It always takes me a while to get going on the Supersport bike,” he said.

“There was a bit of a melee at the start – I hope both the boys are alright but I think so because it’s a slow corner.

“Coops got away and once Michael came through, I just wasn’t riding properly. Halfway through I had a bit of a word with myself, sorted myself out and managed to close the gap.

“In the last lap I just managed to get it right and here we are.”

Dunlop was anticipating the move from Hickman but was unable to hit back on his Triumph along the Coast Road section over the last few miles.

“We’ve just been struggling all of today,” said Dunlop, who suffered a hand injury when he crashed in the opening Supersport race at last month’s Cookstown 100.

“It’s come back to haunt me a little bit. I knew he was there, I could hear it in the background – I knew he was going to have a lunge at me.

“It’s been a struggle. We’ve just been hit with a load of challenges over the last few weeks.”

Mike Browne finished fourth on the second of the BPE Yamaha bikes after losing ground following the incident on the first lap.

Paul Jordan impressed in fifth on the Jackson Racing Honda while Conor Cummins rounded out the top six (Milenco by Padgett’s Honda).