Twelve riders from England, Scotland, Ireland north and south, Austria, Belgium and the Isle of Man took part in an induction day led by eight times NW200 race winner, Steve Plater, the event's Rider Liaison officer.
The induction day took place on Thursday, February 26, ahead of the race week from May 4-9.
Following a morning spent in the classroom, the line-up were given a guided lap of the 8.9 mile Triangle course in a coach before paying a sight- seeing visit to Bushmills Distillery. Day 2 on the Friday saw another classroom session with a second visit to the course.
"We have an impressive list of new talent in 2026 and it is important that we make sure newcomers are properly prepared for their first outing on the Triangle course,” said Event Director, Mervyn Whyte.
"Steve Plater has been there and done it at the North West so he can provide invaluable guidance based on that experience."
Amongst the line-up is 30-year-old Austrian rider Florian Aster who has been competing in the International Road Racing championship and will race a BMW in the Superstock and Superbike races at Portrush.
" I hope to have a good experience," he said.
"It is cool that you can see all the people and the sea at the start. But it is a very fast track and I have to learn the track."
Sean Brolly doesn't have as far to travel to the Triangle course from his home at Tamnaherin, Co. Derry. "I did the Armoy road races in 2023 and that was me hooked on the roads," the 28-year-old explained.
Brolly's 2025 success, winning the Senior Support race at Tandragee 100 before taking a strong third in the second Supertwins race at Armoy, has boosted his confidence.
"I will race a Ducati in the North West Supersport races and an Aprilia in the Twins events," Brolly explained. "I've been doing lots of homework and I am flat out watching onboard laps on the internet."
Following in the wheeltracks of his famous father Richard 'Milky' Quayle, 22-year-old Isle of Man racer, Illiam Quayle, will make his debut at Portrush in the Supertwin races on an ILR Paton with another road racing legend, Ian Lougher.
"I just want to come to the North West to qualify, learn and understand,” said Quayle, who raced in the British Superstock series last year.
"This will be my first season of road racing and I know that it is going to be hard and different but I am looking forward to the challenge," Quayle said. "I want to keep building to a road racing future."
In terms of road racing experience, Hawick's Chris Cook is at the other end of the spectrum to Illiam Quayle. The 37-year-old, who has been racing for 15 seasons, says he has wanted to do the North West for years.
"I will be there this year and with just one bike in the Supersport class on a ZXR6 Kawasaki for STS Racing" he explained.
Cook was reunited at the Newcomers Day with Donegal's Caomhan Canny who pipped the Scot by just 0.529 second in last year's Senior Manx Grand Prix on the Isle of Man.
5. MOTORCYCLING
A large contingent of new talent attended Thursday’s Briggs Equipment North West 200 newcomer’s day under the guidance of eight times NW200 race winner, Steve Plater. The line-up included Sean Brolly, Florian Aster, Caomhan Canny, Stephen Gorton, Grant Thomson, Illiam Quayle, Chris Cook, Lee Osprey, Mark Hewitt, Lee Hara, Eddy Wormald, Fedrik Matthys and ESR supremo, Laurent Hoffman on the north coast course as they prepare to make their debut during 2026 race week on May 4-9. Photo: STEPHEN DAVISON