Seeley Easton rivalry set to rev up

It is entirely conceivable that Gearlink Kawasaki star Seeley and Easton, representing the Mar-Train Racing Yamaha team, will replicate their British confrontations on the 8.9-mile public roads circuit, with both equally determined to put one over on the other.

But there exists a potentially more fiery conflict, with William Dunlop preparing himself for the opening Supersport 600 encounter next Thursday evening with the manner of his last-lap defeat at the hands of Seeley in 2012 still fresh in his mind.

Dunlop (pictured) won the first Supersport race last year and was leading the second when he was overtaken by Seeley at Church Corner, who went on to take the silverware.

The 27-year-old indicated his disapproval of the move in front of the television cameras afterwards, refusing to shake Seeley’s hand and claiming he had been the victim of a risky pass.

Dunlop expects to be right in the frame for victory again on the trick Milwaukee/CD Racing Yamaha R6, but isn’t anticipating a two-horse race.

“I’m on a bike that’s probably better than the one I had last year, but then again Seeley is on a better bike and Easton has a strong bike as well,” he told the News Letter.

“Michael could be a dark horse as well on his Honda so there’s a few riders involved – it won’t be a two-horse race.

“The 600 Yamaha is a good bike but it’s a tough class. It’s so hard to make a break because the bikes are pretty evenly matched.

“You could end up being sixth because it’s so competitive.”

Meanwhile, top bike magazine Road Racing Ireland is backing the Vauxhall International North West 200 by sponsoring the famed ‘magic’ roundabout at Ballysally, one of the key vantage points along the 8.9 mile course.

The locally based publication was set up by owners Wallace and Gillian Rollins in 1986 and formally launched that year at the NW200.