Michael Sweeney set for road racing comeback at Cookstown 100

Road racers Aaron Spence and Kevin Keyes join Cookstown 100 clerk of the course John Dillon with members of staff of the Co Tyrone road race meeting's new title sponsors, Cemcor, to launch the event which takes place on April 26-27

James Robinson

Michael Sweeney will make his road racing comeback at the Cemcor Cookstown 100 later this month.

The popular Skerries rider was badly injured in a serious accident in the opening Supertwin race at the North West 200 last May, ruling him out for the rest of the season.

Ireland’s oldest current road race – first held in 1922 – was officially launched on Thursday night as the countdown to the Co Tyrone meeting on April 26-27 begins in earnest.

Sweeney was in action over the Easter period at the Enkalon Trophy meeting at Bishopscourt in Co Down, where he finished fifth and fourth in the Superbikes races on his MJR BMW.

The Republic of Ireland rider will return to the North West 200 from May 8-11 before competing at the Isle of Man TT.

However, the Irish road racing stalwart will first be in action at Cookstown in a few weeks’ time.

“Bishopscourt was my first race back, although we’ve done a lot of testing out in Spain to see basically if I could ride a bike again, to be honest,” said Sweeney.

“We went through an awful lot over the last year but everything seems to be falling back into place.

“I’m still struggling a little bit; when I’m riding the bike I’m fine, but when I get off the bike I’m still sore.

“But racing at Bishopscourt definitely helped me get back in the groove.”

Sweeney will ride the MJR BMW M1000RR machine and EM Building Yamaha R6 this year. He will also have a Supertwin, which is yet to be unveiled.

“I’m looking to try and possibly get a run out somewhere before the Cookstown 100 to get another signature,” Sweeney added.

“Then we’ll do the North West and TT, and we’ll have a full stable of bikes hopefully for the TT. It’s going to be nice to get back.”

Sweeney’s opposition at the Cookstown includes fellow southern Irishman Mike Browne, who is entered on an Aprilia for the Superbike class and is set to ride the BPE by Russell Racing Yamaha in the Supersport races.

Browne is also entered in the Supertwin class on a 660 Aprilia.

England’s Dominic Herbertson will make his roads bow for Dungannon team Burrows Engineering/RK Racing after impressing with a strong ride to third place in the second Enkalon Trophy race at Bishopscourt on Easter Saturday.

Ballymoney’s Darryl Tweed will ride the M&D Honda while the Isle of Man’s Ryan Whitehall will also line up on a 600 Yamaha.

Offaly’s Keelim Ryan will lead the charge for Trison McMullan Racing on a Kawasaki ZX-10.

The Cookstown 100 is one of only three Irish road races taking place in 2024 along with the North West 200 and Armoy.