Controversy at North West 200 as Dunlop wins with rescinded penalty

A controversial Michael Dunlop win at the North West 200 has triggered strong words from his rival - and even a podium boycott.

May 10, 2025 - 13:35

Controversy at North West 200 as Dunlop wins with rescinded penalty

Michael Dunlop has taken his first win of the day on Saturday at the North West 200 in controversial circumstances, igniting a war of words between him and rivals (and fellow podium finishers) Davey Todd and Peter Hickman.

The outcome of the six-lap superbike race led to 8Ten Racing BMW rider Hickman refusing to join Dunlop and his team-mate Todd on the podium.

Todd was an early race leader in the first superbike outing of the day, looking to replicate his success in Thursday evening’s first race. He was escaping away while Dunlop and Hickman battled for the top five along with Dean Harrison and Alastair Seeley.

That escalated into contact between Dunlop and Hickman at the Mather’s Cross chicane that took both of them wide, something that they then repeated (along with Harrison) at Metropole, handing Todd a 15-second lead that looked all but unassailable.