Swan Honda celebrate Superbike podium at NW200
Swan Honda's Stuart Easton is celebrating after securing his best ever finish at the International North West 200 this afternoon, finishing second in the feature Superbike class race of the day after a race-long duel with fellow BSB rival Alastair Seeley and John McGuinness.
On his return to the event Easton got off to a flying start, setting the fastest time through the speed traps between Station Corner and University in practice (Tuesday) with a top speed of 204mph. On raceday (Saturday) he started the day with a consistent fifth place in the opening Superbike race and was eleventh in the Superstock class, despite only completing one flying lap in practice earlier in the week and having to fight through from the second wave of riders.
Easton started from fourth on the Superbike grid and got off to one of his customary lightening starts to lead the four-lap feature race, before he dropped to third. Easton was determined to fight back and on the next lap the Swan Honda rider was back in the lead. Seeley later took the advantage at the front and despite Easton attacking back he finished the race second to score his best ever finish at the event.
Easton said: "It has been a good event for the Swan Honda team; I hadn't really set myself any expectations before we arrived so to finish second was a good result. It is the best finish I have ever had at the event it is great to give the team their first podium with Swan.
"The Superstock race was always going to be tough with the lack of time in practice as I only really had one flying lap due to the conditions but despite being in the second group I came through to eleventh. In the first Superbike race fifth wasn't what I wanted so to finish second in race two was a much better result for me. Alastair Seeley was really strong along certain parts of the track and rode a great race so I was happy to be second. I now only have one place to improve when I come back again and that is to win."
North West 200, Yoko Superbike race one result:
- John McGuinness (Honda) 17m:58.937s
- Connor Cummins (Kawasaki) +0.217s
- Alastair Seeley (Suzuki) +0.553s
- Keith Amor (Honda) +7.520s
- Stuart Easton (Swan Honda) +16.668s
North West 200, Greenline Superbike race two result:
- Alastair Seeley (Suzuki) 17m:41.186s
- Stuart Easton (Swan Honda) +1.143s
- John McGuinness (Honda) +1.294s
- Guy Martin (Honda) +7.214s
- Ian Hutchinson (Honda) +9.809s
