Rising road racing star Hickman in Burrows deal for 2016 event

Hickman, a sensational winner in the Superbike class at last year’s Ulster Grand Prix and at Macau, is a definite starter on the Kawasaki ER-6 in the Lightweight race at the Isle of Man TT.

However, he may also ride for Burrows at the North West in May dependent on whether or not Carrick’s Glenn Irwin returns to the North Coast meeting after making a dazzling debut in 2015, when he finished on the rostrum in the second Supersport race after retiring from the opener while battling for the lead with 15-times winner Alastair Seeley.

Irwin has joined the Be Wiser Ducati team for his maiden season in the MCE British Superbike Championship this year alongside four-time champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne but his BSB commitments could mean he misses out in 2016.

The 26-year-old has been promised the ride on Burrows Supertwin, but if he is unavailable then new JG Speedfit GBmoto Kawasaki signing Hickman will take over.

Team owner Burrows explained: “Peter will be riding for me at the TT on a Supertwin and he would also like to ride the bike at the North West, but I’ve a gentleman’s agreement with Glenn Irwin that if he does arrive at the North West with Paul Bird, then he can have the ’twin.

“Glenn has obviously rode for me in the past but at this moment in time it’s not certain that Bird will be a the North West because of his British Superbike commitments, so if that’s the case then obviously the bike will be there for Peter.

“He’s one of the hottest prospects in road racing at the moment and I think he’s going to be even better this year.”