Hamilton happy with start to roads season

Jamie Hamilton blasts the supersport 600 over the Cookstown jumps. INLT 17-681-CON

“All three bikes were going really well, that was the most pleasing thing for me,” said Jamie. “When you look at the quality of the entry in all the classes I competed in, it would have been very easy to have left here without getting near to the podium so I have to be happy with a couple of them. “I felt a whole lot stronger this year than I have ever felt at the Cookstown. I was impressed with the 600. It really handles well and is not a million miles away on speed.

“Although I have won on a 650 around the Cookstown we were under the lap record and within a second of the winner at the finish. I suppose looking back I should have made more moves but that’s racing for you. The big bike is also going good and I had a couple of steady if not spectacular races on it.

“Now it is onwards to Tandragee where more podium finishes will be a must.”

Michael Dunlop, Michael Sweeney and Jamie Hamilton on the supertwins rostrum. INLT 17-682-CON

MCWILLIAMS MAKES

DEBUT IN TANDRAGEE

Glengormley’s Jeremy McWilliams makes his Tandragee 100 debut this weekend when he competes in the classic race on the exotic Roger Winfields 500cc Paton alongside team-mate Ryan Farquhar.

Having raced all over the world in many different levels of racing in many different classes, it is probably not surprising that the ex Grand Prix rider has made this decision. Always up for a new challenge, he has raced at the NW200, Armoy road race and now the Tandragee, which is described as a mini Isle of Man TT.

Jeremy McWilliams will make his Tandragee debut alongside Ryan Farquhar. INLT 17-683-CON

Jeremy was upbeat on his latest adventure: “Yes I’m looking forward to it, I’m with Roger Winfield’s squad again. Great team with great bikes. Should be good.”

Ballyclare’s Jamie Hamilton believes he can run at the front and collect more podiums at the Tandragee.

“I’m confident going to Tandragee. I’m riding better this season and I believe I can run at the front on all the bikes,” he said.

With a prize fund of over £10,000 for the nine race programme and over 350 entries it will be a busy day for the North Armagh club.

Friday: roads close at 3pm practice starts 3.30pm.

Saturday: roads close 10am, first race at 11am.

COATES CHAMPIONSHIP START IN PORTUGAL

Ballyrobert rider Nikki Coates had his first race in the CEV European Moto2 championship at the Portimao circuit in Portugal.

He finished the meeting with a 21st in race one and 12th in race two.

Nikki said: “I made a bad start in race one and had to battle through from 27th to get up to 21st by the flag. In race two after a few small changes to the bike I progressed through to 12th.

“I was pleased with race two as the competition is tough in this series. I need to keep improving both myself and the bike to keep it going.”