Cooper 'hungry for more' at 2026 North West 200

TL;DR

Richard Cooper, a seven-time North West 200 race winner, is eager to compete again this year, feeling he has more to achieve. He will race a Yamaha in the Supersport class and a GSX8R Suzuki in the Supertwin/Sportbike category.

Key points

Richard Cooper is a seven-time North West 200 winner.
He will race a Yamaha and a GSX8R Suzuki this year.
Cooper has won five Supertwins and two Supersport races.

Richard CooperNorth West 200Hawk RacingBPE by Russell Racing

Seven-time North West 200 race winner Richard Cooper says he is "hungry for more" and "feels he has more to give" as he prepares to contest this year's race meeting over the Triangle circuit.

The four-time British champion has won five Supertwins races and two Supersport events at the North West since becoming the fastest newcomer when he made his debut on a Suzuki Superstock with the Hawk Racing team in 2019.

This year he will campaign a Yamaha for BPE by Russell Racing in the Supersport class and switch to a new GSX8R Suzuki for Brad Clarke's Powerslide Suzuki team for the Supertwin/Sportbike category.

A late deal will also see the 43-year-old compete on a BMW Superstock machine for the SMS/Nicholl Oils team.

"I've always been with great teams since I started coming to the North West in 2019. It has always made my journey and my experience that little bit easier, with the guys I've been working with over the years," Cooper told the BBC Bikes Podcast.

"I enjoy being successful and competitive in whatever class I choose to be in. I have trophies for every class I've competed in - first places, podiums.

"I'm always hungry for more and I feel I've got more to give."

The Nottingham rider quickly got to grips with the course and achieved a podium in his first year at the race.

"I came with Hawk Racing in my first year and although my racecraft wasn't quite there, to be part of a group of riders heading down towards University at 200mph is something pretty special.

"I wasn't quite prepared for that but as the week went on I got myself in a better position and year one I achieved a podium in the Superstock race and was fastest ever newcomer.

"Pretty proud of that and I've built on that, built up experience and become a regular contender."

In addition to his seven wins, Cooper has stood on the podium a total of 17 times.

"Every year the competition gets stronger, the bikes get better and the teams find more improvement, and you have to move along with those times. I have competitive machinery and the rest is up to me."

Q&A

What is Richard Cooper's history at the North West 200?

Richard Cooper is a seven-time winner at the North West 200 and has been a four-time British champion.

Which bikes will Richard Cooper race in the 2026 North West 200?

He will race a Yamaha in the Supersport class and a GSX8R Suzuki in the Supertwin/Sportbike category.

How did Richard Cooper perform in previous North West 200 races?

He has won five Supertwins races and two Supersport events since his debut in 2019.