Regular British Superstock frontrunner is taking advantage of the opportunity to become a team manager instead of a rider for the week at the North West 200!

Richard Cooper is riding the BMW machine that Allingham regularly rides for the Nicholl Oils/SMS team.

The newcomers session is complete and the Superbikes are getting ready to go out for their first practice session of the meeting.

Stand by for blast off in the next few minutes...

Glenn Irwin offers his thoughts on his prospects at this year's North West as he returns after a one-year absence.

Irwin announced in October 2024 that he was retiring from road racing but reversed his decision and decided to compete again in 2026.

Keith Huewen
BBC Sport NI commentator

Richard Cooper is one of the most underestimated riders in the United Kingdom.

We have talked about different riders riding different bikes and different classes of bikes. He is one of the best at it.

On Superstock he was one of the fastest back in the day. He is the man around here!

Nitrous Competitions Racing's Glenn Irwin on BBC iPlayer:

"The bike will be good for here and at the NW200, you want a bit of fast paced stability, so we will focus on that today and go have some fun.

"Michael, Dean and Pete and, obviously no Davey, it is unfortunate for everyone. That was a terrible situation for all involved but no one can argue with the medical people.

"I look forward to riding with the guys, we all get on really well. It is a bit nuts what we do and we have a lot of respect for each other."

8Ten Racing rider and team co-owner Peter Hickman says the team are feeling positive and looking to the future after Davey Todd was deemed unfit to ride at this year's North West.

British Superbike rider Andrew Irwin on BBC iPlayer:

"I love the North West, I love this event.

"You can see the crowd that is already here and the buzz, it is an incredible place to be.

"20 minutes ago, when the newcomers came out and I saw Storm Stacey I said, 'I wouldn't mind doing this' and then the spits of rain started to come and I said, 'not for me!'."

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David Allingham on BBC iPlayer:

"We have a fantastic rider, Richard Cooper on the bike.

"So, so talented and I love how he goes about his business. I am learning so much from him.

"He has taken to it like a duck to water. I think Coops is going to be a real threat on the Superstock.

"Hopefully he can do the business this week."

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI

Image source, BBC Sport

I went for a dander up the grid and came across legendary Formula 1 designer Gary Anderson, who was taking in all the atmosphere.

Anderson, who comes from Northern Ireland, worked with teams like Jordan, Brabham, Tyrrell, Stewart and Jaguar in a stellar career.

Monster BMW Motorrad Peter Hickman on BBC iPlayer about Davey Todd's absence:

"The team is really positive still; we know where we are at and where the bikes are right now.

"I can't comment on what has happened with Davey, but we are just going to concentrate on myself for this week.

"Davey is here, he is in a good place, and we have to look forward. That is all you can do, never look backwards and look forward."

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John McGuinness is hoping to achieve another notable milestone in his decorated motorcycle racing career by chalking up his 100th start at this year's North West 200.

Owing to a miscalculation, the 54-year-old believed he was about to reach the landmark figure at last year's event, but official records show that the Morecambe rider currently sits four short of his century, having competed in 96 races.

The 23-time Isle of Man TT winner will take in the three Superbike races and two Superstock events in 2026 as part of the Honda Racing team.

His CV over the Triangle circuit includes six victories, achieved between 2000 and 2012, and 22 podium finishes, the most recent of which came in the second Superstock race in 2024.

"It was embarrassing when we got it wrong," said McGuinness of the miscalculation around his ton.

"I had a helmet all painted for the occasion and we had to leave it at home on the shelf," he added.

Read more of McGuinness' thoughts on racing at the North West 200 here.

Image source, Pacemaker

Steve Parrish
BBC Sport NI commentator

Don't count newcomer Storm Stacey out, he will learn the track pretty quickly.

I think there will be some dark horses this week.

Bathams AJN Ducati Racing's Michael Rutter speaking on BBC iPlayer:

"We are doing a bit of testing and a bit of a run to see how we can get this bike better and see how my back is really as well, this is my first time back out.

"I am a bit nervous really and have to think of Storm [Stacey] as well, it is his first year. I have a lot on!

"I love it here, it is fantastic and I want to go and have a ride out and hopefully thrive."

Former NW200 winner Lee Johnston gives his thoughts on Davey Todd's absence from this year's event.

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Image source, BBC Sport

Hate to be the bearer of bad tidings but there are now some raindrops falling at the start and finish area.

Hopefully the clouds will pass by quickly and we can have some relatively dry roads for today's qualifying session.

Lee Johnston
Five-time winner on BBC iPlayer

When I was growing up as a child, I was lucky enough to watch Joey and Robert Dunlop race, and I have been lucky enough to race with Michael and William.

Michael is still doing an unbelievable job and will continue to do so.

We are lucky as a country, for the size of this little country, we are lucky the amount of talent that come out in every sport. It is very impressive.

Philip McCallen
11-time race winner on the BBC Sport website

Michael Dunlop must be the only rider in the world that can have a Ducati, a Honda and a BMW all sitting in the garage ready to race.

That is a credit to him and the work that he has done over the years.