Bourne identifies Cookstown for roads debut as McGee returns

DEREK McGee, known as the Mullingar Missile, will make a welcome return to the Cookstown 100 road races after being absent since 2019.

It was announced at last Wednesday night’s press launch in the Royal Hotel that he will line up for the 2025 Bear Competitions Cookstown 100, scheduled for Friday and Saturday, April 25-26.

A past winner at the Orritor circuit, McGee, who now resides in Holland, will be riding an ex-Pata World Supersport Yamaha R6 as ridden by Stefano Manzi, along with a KMR Supertwin and the choice of two Moto3 machines.

Joining the strong line-up is former British Superbike (BSB) star Franco Bourne, who previously raced for Honda Racing UK after replacing the injured Andrew Irwin in 2022.

The former British Talent Cup champion, who was touted as a future Superbike champion, made his British Superstock debut in 2023 and secured a win in his rookie season. However, a significant crash at Thruxton last year impacted his progress at BSB.

For 2025, the 21-year-old from County Durham has changed direction in his career. He has joined forces with Cowton Racing, a team familiar with the Cookstown 100 road races, and will make his road race debut in the Junior Support race.

Darryl Tweed, who competes in the IRRC series on the continent, has entered the New Generation Supersport and SuperTwin classes with his new Novo Gen by FAO Racing team machines, as well as the Lightweight Supersport class on his trusty 400 Kawasaki.

Michael ‘Micko’ Sweeney, who narrowly missed out on the feature race last year, aims for redemption this time. He will compete on BMW machinery in the big bike classes, his reliable 600 Yamaha for the New Generation Supersport class, and an unspecified SuperTwin.

The event will also feature continental talent in the form of last year’s Junior Manx Grand Prix winner, Andrea Majola. Hailing from La Spezia in Northern Italy, Majola will ride for Parker Race Team in the New Generation Supersport and Open races, both on Yamaha machines. Additionally, the popular German competitor Chris Meyer will return with his 125 MZ and 250 NSF Honda.

Austria’s Julian Trummer is also set to return to the Cookstown 100, this time with a brand new team, ‘Lionheart Race Team,’ established by Bangor man Dwayne McCracken, who has previously been with several top teams but has recently battled pancreatic cancer. His new team aims to support Pancreatic Cancer Research and help raise crucial funding.

Among the newcomers in action in 2025 is former Senior Manx Grand Prix winner Joe Yeardsley. This exciting young Manxman will ride for Coleraine’s Trevor Scott on Aprilia machinery in the Supertwin and big bike classes, as well as his own 600 Yamaha in the 600 races. Another newcomer from the Isle of Man is former TT-winning sidecar passenger Dan Sayle, who boasts six TT wins and two Manx Grand Prix victories.

Two more Manx competitors, Luke Blevins and Dale Brew ( both on 660 Aprilias), will also make their Cookstown 100 debuts, while Garvagh rider, Darryl Anderson returns after being cleared of wrongdoing after having his license suspended at the Manx Grand Prix.

The newly introduced Classic Superbike race has attracted 14 entries, including local ace Paul Cranston, who was a Man of the Meeting at this event in 1982 and 1983 and he will compete on a ZXR750 Kawasaki. Welshman Paul ‘Potchy’ Williams will also ride a Kawasaki, as will Dennis Booth, Andy Hornby, with Tweed, being the lone Yamaha rider.

In a class usually dominated by Kawasaki machines, the Supertwin class features no fewer than 14 Italian 660 Aprilias. Among those present were Joe Yeardsley, Tweed, Neil Kernohan, Martin Morris, Sean Brolly, Lee Hara, and Darragh Crean.

The New Generation Supersport class is once again dominated by the same riders who excel in the big bike classes. Joining them are Ryan Whitehall, Graham McAleece, and Dan Sayle, promising yet another thrilling race. The Italian Ducatis will be represented by Andy Farrell and Anthony McColgan, while Damian Horan, Andy MacAlister, and Neil Rutledge will represent the Suzuki challenge.

Gareth Arnold, a Manxman now residing in Pomeroy, has been steadily rising through the ranks and looks forward to this year’s event. He will race for Parker Racing on a Honda in the Moto3 class, alongside his own 250 Yamaha for the Lightweight Supersport class and a 660 Aprilia for the Supertwins.

The Support races are oversubscribed, which bodes well for the future. In the Senior class, competitors to watch include Sean Brolly, James Doy, Caomhan Canny, Lee Osprey, Aidan Cleary, and newcomer Lee Hara. The aforementioned competitors will also participate in the Junior Support race, along with Lee McGavock, Dale Brew, and Luke Blevins.

Making his road race debut is local man Kevin Lavery, son of Brian, a former Manx Grand Prix competitor. Kevin will participate in both Support races.

The classic bikes from yesteryear are making a comeback with full grids once again. A major question on everyone’s mind is whether Barry Davidson will participate. He injured his hand in a non-biking incident but hopes to be on the grid; however, he won’t make a final decision until the time comes.

Manx Grand Prix winner Mark Johnson leads the line-up for the 350 class, joined by Gareth Arnold, Julian Trummer, Andy Hornby, and Nigel Moore. In the senior race, Moore will compete alongside Scotland’s Wattie Brown, Andy MacAlister, and Andy Farrell. In the 1000cc class, past winner Richard Ford will race with Anthony McColgan and James Chawke, both on 750 Hondas. Ed Gilmore will ride his Triumph triple, while Andy Hornby will be on his Rob North Trident. There’s also an intriguing entry from Manx rider Dave Glover, who will compete on a shaft-driven XS 750 Yamaha. Nigel Moore will also be in the 250 classic race, alongside Philip Shaw, Brian Mateer, Richard Ford, and Chris Meyer.

Race weekend is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, April 25th and 26th. This is a ‘Closed Event,’ and roads will be closed both days starting at 7:30 am.