Cooper 'hungry for more' at 2026 North West 200
Seven-time race winner Richard Cooper tells The BBC Bikes Podcast that he is eager to notch up more success at this year's event over the Triangle circuit.
Seven-time North West 200 race winner Richard Cooper says he is "hungry for more" and "feels he has more to give" as he prepares to contest this year's race meeting over the Triangle circuit. The four-time British champion has won five Supertwins races and two Supersport events at the North West since becoming the fastest newcomer when he made his debut on a Suzuki Superstock with the Hawk Racing team in 2019. This year he will campaign a Yamaha for BPE by Russell Racing in the Supersport class and switch to a new GSX8R Suzuki for Brad Clarke's Powerslide Suzuki team for the Supertwin/Sportbike category.
A late deal will also see the 43-year-old compete on a BMW Superstock machine for the SMS/Nicholl Oils team. "I've always been with great teams since I started coming to the North West in 2019. It has always made my journey and my experience that little bit easier, with the guys I've been working with over the years," Cooper told the BBC Bikes Podcast.
"I enjoy being successful and competitive in whatever class I choose to be in. I have trophies for every class I've competed in - first places, podiums. "I'm always hungry for more and I feel I've got more to give.
" The Nottingham rider quickly got to grips with the course and achieved a podium in his first year at the race. "I came with Hawk Racing in my first year and although my racecraft wasn't quite there, to be part of a group of riders heading down towards University at 200mph is something pretty special. "I wasn't quite prepared for that but as the week went on I got myself in a better position and year one I achieved a podium in the Superstock race and was fastest ever newcomer.