Storm Stacey stated successful the Northwest 200 Superstock was “unbelievable” after beating Michael Dunlop on the ultimate lap to win.
Street racing newcomers Stacey and Dunlop had been within the main group all through the race, however by the ultimate lap solely Josh Brooks had joined them.
The 2 sides traded locations numerous instances, with Stacey making the decisive transfer on the ultimate lap on the Metropole, however a Dunlop mistake shortly afterwards sealed the victory for Stacey with only a few corners left.
“It is unbelievable,” Stacey informed BBC Sport NI after the Superstock race.
“My objective right here was to return right here and do nicely within the Northwest 200 and be glad and go residence and proceed with BSB.
“I promised Stuart Higgs I’d take it simple, however sadly I get somewhat carried away through the race.
“That race was actually enjoyable. Racing in opposition to Michael (Dunlop) is new for me. I’ve by no means raced in opposition to Michael earlier than.”
“Clearly we examined on the monitor numerous days in the past and the distinction between the monitor and the highway is so completely different. But it surely was good to do the twin. We checked out one another on the straights and after we braked it was a little bit of a ‘who will win’ type of feeling.”
“I feel we received all of the brake battles, so it was a number of enjoyable.”
Dunlop himself extremely praised the rookie’s successful efficiency.
“These guys are hitting the brakes actually exhausting, together with Josh[Brooks]and Storm[Stacey]. They’re each actually deep braking gamers,” Dunlop informed BBC Sport NI.
“I simply struggled somewhat bit with the brakes, and I’ve had that every one week, so I knew someplace alongside the road I used to be going to have a tough time drying out.
“Clearly Storm rode the higher race. He was robust, his brakes had been actually robust and he made it work for himself.”
Dunlop additionally stated he was fighting grip after a mistake he made on the ultimate lap on the Metropole briefly value him second place to Josh Brooks.
“For some purpose on the massive bikes, I used to be struggling all day with the best tires right here. I feel now that I’m transitioning from the massive bikes to the superstocks, I’m simply shedding somewhat little bit of grip,” he stated.
“I knew I used to be coming as much as the Metropole, so I had somewhat little bit of hassle getting the sting grip, urgent the throttle, opening the throttle, and releasing it once more.”
The now nine-time North West 200 winner, after successful the Supersport earlier within the day, added that the North West is a highway race that notably fits quick circuit riders like long-time BSB rider Stacey.
“The issue is, that is what occurs while you come right here,” he stated.
“It’s powerful. For those who’re a BSB rider, you’ll be able to win right here, since you’re simply sluggish on the brakes and also you don’t do BSB, so it’s such as you’re being held again by the BSB guys, as a result of they’re used to braking each weekend on BSB. That’s why the Northwest is all the time good for BSB riders, actually.”
