By Phil Wain
May 16 2006

Michael Wilcox was again forced to accept second place at the International North West 200 road races on Saturday, and the former British Champion will have to wait at least another year to take a much yearned for first victory around the public roads of Portstewart, Coleraine and Portrush. After claiming pole position, the Slim Racing rider was hunted down by the returning Robert Dunlop and the duo crossed the finishing line less than two tenths of a second apart, a thrilling end to a thrilling race.

Tuesday evening’s practice session for the 125s was completely cancelled, leading to a few meetings between the riders and the organisers, but they were wisely, and quite rightly, granted an extended session on Thursday with measures in place to ensure as many of the grid qualified as possible. With perfect, sunny conditions all around the 8.9-mile pure roads circuit, Michael was fast from the very beginning and immediately slotted into second overall. Having made a few adjustments to the Slim Racing Honda, he was able to move to the top of the practice leaderboard with a speed of 101.17mph, just shy of his own lap record, but enough to secure pole position by 2.5 seconds. Naturally, this placed him in confident mood going into the race, although he was still wary of both the speed advantage of the 400cc machines and the threat of his fellow 125cc competitors, of whom at least six others were in contention.

Conditions on race day were again perfect, and the 125s were the third race on the programme. Michael made a clean getaway from his pole position but, just as he thought, a few of the 400cc riders out dragged him on the run to York Corner, and he found himself in fifth place as they headed out into the countryside. After the two-mile run to University, he was up into second place, but there was immediate drama as John Burrows’ 400cc Honda expired and he crashed out in front of Michael, pushing him wide. However, he re-grouped and as the field completed the first lap he had opened up a two second advantage.

He continued on his way at the head of the field and had doubled his lead by the end of the second lap, but danger man Robert Dunlop had moved up into second and was beginning to make a charge. Status quo remained during the third lap, but on the fourth circuit Dunlop began to close, so much so that as they began their fifth and final lap he was within striking distance. The pair went head to head and exchanged places on a number of occasions, but it was Dunlop who dived into first place as they entered the Juniper Chicane, just a few hundred yards from the finishing line. Try as he might, Michael could find no way through and he took the chequered flag just 0.193 seconds behind his archrival. Such was the pace set in the closing stages that both riders broke Michael’s six-year old lap record, although the Irishman also stole this off the Lincolnshire rider.

It was a clearly dejected Michael that spoke at the conclusion of the hard fought five-lap race.
“What can I say? I’m really disappointed to have finished second and I really thought it was going to be my year. I got a good start, although I nearly came to grief when John Burrows crashed in front of me, but I got my head down and I was able to open up a reasonable lead. The bike was working well and although I don’t want to take anything away from Robert, as he rode a brilliant race, it’s slightly easier to chase than it is to lead. If I’d have braked five yards later everywhere on the final lap, who knows, it may have been a different outcome, but that’s the way it goes in racing. I allowed him to get that bit closer and he was a determined man after coming back from his injuries.

“A few years ago I’d have been jumping through hoops with the result, but the expectation and desire were that bit higher this year, so it makes it harder to accept. I don’t know what I have to do to win this race, but one day it’s going to happen. Time’s a great healer and I’m sure I’ll be back next year for another go. Everyone in the team has worked really hard this week, so thanks to them for all their efforts and, like I say, fair play to Robert for the way he rode. We also gave a good account of ourselves in practice, as a class and as a group of riders, which was very important and pleasing as it showed that we care about our racing, and are as vital as all the other classes here at the North West 200.”

It’s back to British Championship duty for Michael next, as round five of the 125cc series takes place at Mondello Park on Sunday, 21st May, and he will be looking to maintain his position at the top of the championship table.