“I WANT TO WIN FOUR RACES THIS WEEK.” RICHARD COOPER DECLARES AHEAD OF THE OPENING PRACTICE AT THE 2024 BRIGGS EQUIPMENT NORTH WEST 200

“I want to win four races this week.” Richard Cooper says as he throws down the gauntlet to the competition on the eve of first practice for the Briggs Equipment North West 200The 41 year old has won four NW200 Supertwin races on Ryan Farquhar’s KMR Kawasaki machines since making his debut on the 8.9 mile Triangle course in 2019. Last year the Nottingham rider added two podium finishes in the Supersport races on the BPE/ Russell Racing Yamaha R6 to his Twins double.

“I had a second and third plus two wins last year but I want those four wins this time and I believe I have the best opportunity of doing that.” Cooper said after arriving in the paddock from Oulton Park where the winner of last year’s F900 BMW Cup champion enjoyed two runner-up finishes in the new National Superbike Cup series.

“My Supertwin bike is very competitive and I know the Supersport class is very competitive so I am under no illusion that it is going to be difficult but I want to win.”

Cooper has enjoyed two recent test days at Kirkistown on the Russell Racing R6 Yamaha and KMR Kawasaki.

“I was comfortable on both bikes and everything is in place and ready to go for the start of practice at the North West.” he said.

“Continuity is a key thing for me coming here. Being with the same teams as last year gives me that and I hope to reel off a lot of laps without any issues during practice and qualifying.”

Cooper acknowledges his North West ambitions have been made more attainable by the absence of riders like Lee Johnston and Alastair Seeley who have shone on Supersport machinery at Portrush in recent years. Johnston has been ruled out of this year’s NW200 after breaking his leg in Spanish testing and Seeley, a 29 times North Werst winner, was unable to secure machinery.

“I spoke to Alastair at Oulton at the weekend.’ Cooper said.

“He has the experience and the talent and is the man to beat around here but there must be an underlying reason why he isn’t here.”

Will Cooper miss his old foe?

“I told Alastair that I was kind of glad he wasn’t here but on the other hand what is better than getting on to the podium at the North West by beating Alastair Seeley? Not much! It would be like going to the TT and standing on the podium without Peter Hickman and Michael Dunlop. They are the benchmarks there and Alastair Seeley is the benchmark here at the North West.”