NW200: Martin Jessopp triumphs in Supertwins opener

Martin Jessopp claimed his third North West 200 victory after a hard-earned win in the first Supertwins race on Thursday evening.
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The Yeovil rider beat former Grand Prix winner Jeremy McWilliams by 1.8 seconds, with the 54-year-old taking the runner-up spot ahead of 20-year-old prospect Joey Thompson, who was riding a Paton.

Jessopp had earlier crashed out at Mill Road roundabout on the first lap of the Supersport race but he certainly made up for his mistake in the best way possible.

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“The evening had started off well when I was leading the Supersport race and then I ended up sitting on top of the Mill Road roundabout!”, he joked.

Supertwins race winner Martin Jessopp with runner-up Jeremy McWilliams (left) and Joey Thompson.Supertwins race winner Martin Jessopp with runner-up Jeremy McWilliams (left) and Joey Thompson.
Supertwins race winner Martin Jessopp with runner-up Jeremy McWilliams (left) and Joey Thompson.

“It was a hard race and I only led from Metropole on the last lap because I was losing so much out of the corners.”

McWilliams was in front on the opening lap but had to settle for second on his Ryan Farquhar-prepared KMR Kawasaki.

“I fell asleep a little bit and I couldn’t work out where they were faster,” he said.

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“The Paton had some pace and then the other boys got in among us and I had to weigh them up. It came good at the end.”

Adam McLean, who qualified second fastest, was fourth on the Hanna Kawasaki ahead of James Cowton (McAdoo Kawasaki).