Bishopscourt roars to bikes

Bishopscourt roars to bikes

16 April 2025

TEMPLE Motorcycle Club hosted the first round of the Ulster Superbike Championship at Bishopscourt recently. 

On a day that looked like summer but felt like spring, those who had made the trip trackside were in for some first class racing. 

A selection of the finest short circuit and road racers in the UK, Ireland and the Isle of Man made the journey to Bishopscourt and it was a great opener for the championship.

Old friends met in the paddock, sparking an air of reunion, competition, buzz and banter.

The sea of gazebos and trailers stretched as far as the eye could see, with eager competitors warming tyres and airing leathers in preparation for the day of racing. 

Happy to chat, the riders exuded a combination of anticipation, concentration and calm, with many feeling comfortable to be back in familiar surroundings and others thinking about the grid, the race and the win.

The entry was substantial and the atmosphere electric for what was a welcome date in the calendar, and it did not disappoint.

On paper, the JMcC Roofing race team presents well, and round one proved that both Carl Phillips and Andy Reid are serious contenders this season. 

However, it was McAdoo racing team rider Korie McGreevy who made it clear that he means business, taking first place in race one of the SBT Ireland Superbike Pro and second in race two. 

Mad Bros’ Gary McCoy won the second Superbike race, while McGreevy, Cooper, Phillips and Reid ensured the memorable race was closely contested. 

Nottingham rider Richard Cooper won both Spence Engineering Supersport races on a Russell Racing 600 Yamaha, giving him four wins overall on Saturday. 

Ballynahinch rider McGreevy came second in both, putting him ahead on Championship points, but he will need to remain aware of third place Graeme Irwin and his Global Oils Ducati V2 Panigale this season.

Cooper demonstrated his competency and experience as a rider in the Ashvale Engineering/Megoran Quarries Supertwin/Production races.

The five-time NW200 winner dominated the Supertwin, winning both rounds ahead of Cookstown’s Gary McCoy and Letterkenny’s Caolan Irwin. 

Kevin Lavery and Dean McMaster made it clear they are contenders to be watched this SuperTwin season. 

The Production Twin races were won by Alex Duncan, but Nicky Burns, Dwayne McCoy and Michael Dunleavy all gave him a run for his money.

Newtownards man Duncan also claimed the Superbike Cup races, staving off competition from Jack Whearty and Lisburn’s Damien Carson. 

The SG Jones Supersport Cup Group A races went to Galgorm rider Rab McAuley, with Antrim’s Steven Love in second and Peter Willis in third, while Alex O’Grady beat Andy Farrell and Alan Mairs to the Group B races, with Ross Martin taking third in race two. 

The David McGrory Ltd Supersport 300 saw three Dublin riders, Rhys Gates, James Treacy and Owen Everard, contest for the win, with Gates coming out on top. 

Meanwhile, the McGrory Ltd Lightweight class was dominated by Ruben Sherman-Boyd, on his Kawasaki 400, with Sheeran, Creith and McKeown all in the top runners. 

Jack Burrows, of Burrows Racing, has grown from strength to strength, taking the double win in Moto3, but Alexander Rowan and Nigel Moore made it clear that challengers for first place are never far away. 

The growl of the Classic bikes, a familiar sound and always a pleasure to watch, saw Clogher man Edwin Gilmore secure success on his Triumph in the first 1000cc race.

Race two was taken by Ian Thompson, while Portadown rider Malcolm Love won both 250cc races. 

Cavan’s Kyle Parkes won the 350 overall and Louth rider Gavin Duffy took first place in the 500s. 

The Pre-Injection 600 saw Conor McDonnell and Johnny Irwin take the first and second races respectively, but it was Paul Demaine that had the most to smile about, with two second finishes putting him ahead on points. Dublin’s Robert Toner was first in the Pre-Injection 1000cc. 

The Moto One class is known to produce stars of the future and both races were won by Dublin’s Hubert Tomaszewski, with Newry rider Oisin Walsh and Carnlough’s William Graham battling for second and third. 

With eight rounds left in the, championship these young riders are well worth watching. 

Organisers Temple Motorcycle and Athletic Club could not have been happier with the turnout of teams, riders and spectators for their round of the championship.

The sun was not the only thing that shone on Saturday, as the calibre of riders that took to the track reminds us why we must continue to support the sport. 

A huge thank you to all the race sponsors and advertisers, local club members, clerk and assistant clerk of the course, volunteer marshalls, scrutineers, officials, stewards, medics and everyone in attendance. Races would not run without these unsung heroes.

Temple Motorcycle and Athletic Club wishes the very best of luck, and a safe season, to all the riders and teams.