Legendary Honda race team Padgett’s have bagged Valvoline as a title sponsor with Bruce Anstey and John McGuinness to ride in the new colours in their roads campaigns this season, starting with the North West 200 in May.

Anstey is chasing his tenth win at the nine-mile triangle while McGuinness is looking to further improve his record-breaking run of 20 Isle of Man TT wins this year.

“I won as a newcomer at the North West back in 2002 and I have always loved coming back. “Racing there is all about getting into the right place at the right time and not getting caught out on the coast road. You have to stay really switched on,” said the 45-year-old Kiwi.

“The Honda won’t be the fastest bike out there in the Superbike class and that makes it harder to win races at the North West where speed is so important on the straights but we will be in there.

“Alastair Seeley will be hard to beat as usual and there are loads of other people who are capable of winning. We just need some sunshine this year and there will be plenty of close racing and a great atmosphere.”