Dunlop's son races to NW 200 win

An emotional Michael Dunlop claimed victory in the 250 race in Saturday's North West 200, just two days after the death of his father Robert.

"I had to do it for him - I hope my dad's proud of me," said Michael, who secured his first North West success.

Steve Plater claimed a treble (feature race and both Supersport 600s) while Michael Rutter took a Superbike win.

Alastair Seeley (Superstock), Michael Wilcox (125) and Oliver Linsdell (400) also enjoyed victories.

Michael Dunlop edged out Christain Elkin and John McGuinness after making a late decision to race.

His brother William failed to make the grid for the same race because of mechanical problems with his bike.

Plater clinched the NW 200 feature race victory for the third straight year after a superb overtaking move on the last lap saw him finish ahead of Cameron Donald and Rutter.

Guy Martin was comfortable in the lead before being forced out in the third lap.

English rider Rutter went from third to first in a blistering move on the final lap to secure his 12th North West victory ahead of Martin and McGuinness earlier in the day.

"I got in the slipstream, put my head down and went for it," said Rutter.

"Everyone has done a fantastic job and I'm already looking forward to next year."
Steve Plater

"It's just awesome, fanstastic. To win it meant a lot to me and it was a great race."

Lougher clocked a new fastest lap of 118.416 mph in the first Supersport 600 race before Plater went better with 119.197 in the final lap - Seeley was second with Lougher third.

Plater, from England, completed his hat-trick with a second Supersport 600 win from Seeley in second and Lougher again in third.

"Everyone has done a fantastic job and I'm already looking forward to next year," said a delighted Plater.

Wilcox, after four runner-up finishes at the North West, finally secured a win from Chris Palmer in second while James Ford came in third.

Northern Ireland competitor Seeley came through on the final corner to pip Bruce Anstey and Cameron Donald in the Superstock class while Martin ran a new fastest lap of 121:949.

Robert Dunlop's funeral will be held on Sunday.

North West 200 results :

250
1. Michael Dunlop (Honda) 109.516 mph (average lap speed)
2. Christian Elkin (Honda) 109.420
3. John McGuinness (Honda) 109.352
4. Paul Robinson (Honda) 107.437
5. Andrew Neill (Honda) 107.274

Superbike (1)
1. Michael Rutter (Ducati) 122.609
2. Guy Martin (Honda) 122.534
3. John McGuinness (Honda) 122.520
4. Steve Plater (Yamaha) 122.498
5. Gary Johnson (Honda) 121.658

Supersport 600 (1)
1. Steve Plater (Yamaha) 117.723
2. Alastair Seeley (Yamaha) 117.466
3. Ian Lougher (Yamaha) 117.402
4. Ian Hutchinson (Yamaha) 117.364
5. Ryan Farquhar (Kawasaki) 117.340

125
1. Michael Wilcox (Honda) 101.225
2. Chris Palmer (Honda) 101.211
3. James Ford (Honda) 100.473
4. Mark Lunney (Honda) 100.236
5. Marl Curtain (Honda) 100.192

400
1. Oliver Linsdell (Yamaha) 103.803
2. Paul Dobbs (Yamaha) 101.791
3. Les Shand (Kawasaki) 101.733
4. Joe Phillips (Kawasaki) 101.720
5. John Barton (Kawasaki) 101.633

Superstock
1. Alastair Seeley (Yamaha) 121.072
2. Bruce Anstey (Suzuki) 121.023
3. Cameron Donald (Suzuki) 121.003
4. Guy Martin (Honda) 120.953
5. Keith Amor (Honda) 120.941

NW 200 Superbike (2)
1. Steve Plater (Yamaha) 122.475
2. Cameron Donald (Suzuki) 122.429
3. Michael Rutter (Ducati) 122.371
4. Bruce Anstey (Suzuki) 122.355
5. John McGuinness (Honda) 122.338

Supersport 600 (2)
1. Steve Plater (Yamaha) 118.188
2. Alastair Seeley (Yamaha) 118.176
3. Ian Lougher (Yamaha) 118.018
4. Steve Brogan (Honda) 117.718
5. Keith Amor (Honda) 117.709

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
BBC North West 200 website
Official North West 200 site
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