Five talking points for the 2026 North West 200

Five talking points for the 2026 North West 200Image source, Pacemaker PressImage caption, Dean Harrison leads Peter Hickman during a Superstock race at the 2025 North West 200ByRichard PetrieBBC Sport NI JournalistPublished2 minutes agoThe 2026 North West 200 promises to dish up a variety of intriguing narratives as the annual speed spectacular revs into action on the north coast of Northern Ireland from 6-9 May.A high quality field of riders, along with some of the most exotic two-wheel machinery in international road racing, is assembling to contest nine races over the renowned 8.9-mile Triangle circuit which links the towns of Portstewart, Coleraine and Portrush.Before the action starts, BBC Sport NI looks at some of the storylines which could shape this year's event.Will Irwin rack up more wins on his return?Image source, PacemakerImage caption, Glenn Irwin made his NW200 debut in the Supersport class in 2015The news that record 11-time Superbike winner Glenn Irwin would return to the meeting this year after missing the 2025 edition following his decision in October 2024 to retire from road racing came as a major boost to the event.Irwin will campaign a new Ducati V4 for the Nitrous Competitions team, with whom he completed last year's British Superbike Championship on board Yamaha machinery.Irwin's record of 11 straight victories in the premier class between 2017 and 2024 will see him start as favourite to add to his tally this time round.Eight of those successes have come on Ducati bikes, with two on a Honda and one achieved while riding a Kawasaki.The 36-year-old has the added carrot, if any further incentive were needed, of potentially becoming the most successful rider ever in any individual class at the event.Fellow Carrickfergus rider Alastair Seeley has won 13 Supersport races and 12 outings in the Superstock class ahead of his own participation in 2026. Can Seeley add to his record number of victories?Image source, PacemakerImage caption...