'Self-belief' stirs McWilliams, 62, before NW200

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The BBC Bikes Podcast with Jeremy McWilliams

Jeremy McWilliams says he feels "happier than I've ever been" as he bids to add to his three North West 200 race wins this week at the age of 62.

The Glengormley rider has raced across the world during a lengthy and distinguished career, with his accomplishments including a victory in the 2001 Dutch world championship 250cc round at Assen.

Having made his North West 200 debut in 2012, he insists he is still spurred on by the prospect of more success at the iconic road racing competition and says he would never enter merely to "make the numbers up".

"All the rulebooks say you shouldn't be racing or as competitive, or your reactions slow down or some nonsense like that, which I can tell you they definitely don't," McWilliams told the BBC Bikes Podcast.

"It's a self-belief thing. If you believe and you have the confidence and you're fit enough to do the job, it gives me great pleasure to be able to run at the front, particularly in this class [Supertwins]."

McWilliams' globe-trotting exploits on two wheels has seen him compete at the highest level of the sport in the MotoGP class, where he competed alongside nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi.

Since his North West 200 debut 14 years ago, he has racked up a total of 13 podium finishes, with five second places and five third-place finish alongside his three Supertwins victories.

With more than a decade of experience under his belt around the Triangle circuit, McWilliams says he no longer feels burdened by the "stress" of the week and admits the atmosphere is a key factor in his continuing participation.

"Riding here on the coast, in front of the home fans, when you see so many people turning up at the North West, just how many people come through the paddock on race day, it's jammed," he added.

"It's a good feeling, meeting people and chatting to them. It's not normally how I raced in the World Championship. You were kind of taken off the pit lane and into your garages.

"This is much more open and accessible. It's fun because you meet people you haven't seen in a few years.

"It's a good place to be. I love racing on the north coast. It's a really exhilarating race, whatever class you're riding in. It's hard going, it's tight and it's fun to be competitive and riding with guys that are younger than me."