Roads: Derek McGee takes treble at Cookstown 100

Derek McGee overcame horrendous weather caused by Storm Hannah to claim a treble at the Cookstown 100.

High winds and driving rain created treacherous conditions throughout the day on the 2.1 mile Orritor circuit for the opening event of the Irish road racing season.

McGee remained calm amidst the storm and took victory in the feature Superbike event on the CITP Kawasaki to add to wins in the Supertwin race on Ryan Farquhar’s KMR Kawasaki and the Moto3 event aboard the Faraldo Racing Honda. The eight lap big race was red flagged twice before the result was finally declared in McGee’s favour.

“I enjoyed that today and it feels like the best I’ve ever felt on the big bike.” the ‘Mullingar Missile’ said after ending Derek Sheils three year superbike race winning streak at the Co. Tyrone event.

Dubliner Sheils had won the opening big bike race on the Burrows/RK Racing Suzuki after both McGee (Yamaha) and Adam McLean (McAdoo Kawasaki) gambled on using their Supersport spec machines in a race that started on soaking wet roads. The extra power of the Suzuki superbike came into effect as the roads dried, allowing Sheils to open a winning gap but he couldn’t get to grips with McGee’s ZX10RR in the feature race.

“Derek got the jump on me at the start and I couldn’t get past.” Sheils admitted.

It was also a good day at the office for McLean who claimed a start to finish victory in the Supersport race and three podiums in the Supertwin and two Superbike races.

With just over two weeks until the start of North West 200 practice, the action moves to the Tandragee 100 in Co Armagh next weekend.