Roads: Bridewell & Cooper hoping to make North West 200 debuts

British Superbike stars Richard Cooper and Tommy Bridewell are looking to make their road racing debuts at the International North West 200 in 2018.

While neither rider currently has a deal that will take them to the roads, they are both keen to head to the famous triangle course next May.

Cooper, who looks set to move into the Superbike class with the Bennetts Suzuki team, would be ideally placed to head to the North West should Michael Dunlop remain with the Hawk Racing squad next year, while Tommy Bridewell is thought to be looking at teams who will take him to the North West and Isle of Man TT.

“I’d like to come to the North West and race a Superstock bike and a Supertwins machine,” Cooper said. “I think that would be the best thing to do as a newcomer. I’m 34 and have done a lot of racing in different classes. I’ve ridden in one make series as well as British and European championship, I know what I’m capable of and I know who is competitive at the North West. I know who I can run with on the short circuits and I want to come to the North West and do myself justice, not just make up the numbers.”

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Bridewell added: “It’s always been in my mind to go and do the roads. I know quite a lot about the North West because I visited in 2015 and I’m friends with Martin Jessopp and Ian Hutchinson. I want to integrate the North West into my superbike plans for 2018. My main focus is becoming BSB champion but I definitely want to come and race the North West.” 

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