NW200: Hutchinson wins Superstock thriller

Tyco BMW's Ian Hutchinson won his first race at the North West 200 since 2010 in a pulsating Superstock showdown.

The Bingley Bullet took full advantage when Alastair Seeley ran wide at Metropole on a frenetic final lap, storming into the lead and holding off Peter Hickman on the JG Speedfit Kawasaki for a hard-earned success on the S1000RR by six tenths of a second.

"That's made my day and hopefully the team's day. It was obviously going to be fast today with the good conditions all week," Hutchinson said.

"I love riding this bike and the Tyco BMW team has done an amazing job and the knowledge they have around this place has helped me win today.
"It's been too long!"

Seeley had to settle for the final place on the podium as his chances of matching Ulster legend Phillip McCallen's record of five wins in a day evaporated.

The Carrick man had looked set for his 18th win at the North West when he made a stunning move to pass Hutchison and Michael Rutter (Bathams SMT BMW) into Magherabuoy chicane.

However, Seeley went in too hot at Metropole and drifted wide, with Hutchinson and Hickman pouncing to take the top two places.

Rutter finished fourth ahead of Michael Dunlop on his MD Racing BMW, with Lee Johnston (East Coast/Burdens BMW), Gary Johnson on the Penz13.com BMW and Jeremy McWilliams (Mar-Train Yamaha) the top eight.

The race - carried over from Thursday's schedule - was red-flagged and re-started over five laps when James Hillier came off at University, escaping unhurt.

However, the Quattro Plant Kawasaki rider has been forced to miss the rest of the day's races as he suffered a knock to the head.