Superbike veteran Michael Rutter has identified Irishman Alastair Seeley as a tough man to beat at this year’s Vauxhall North West 200 but it won’t stop the 40-something Midlander from trying.

Rutter will race his BSB-spec Bathams BMW in the big-bike races next weekend and also debut the Smith’s Triumph 675 in the Supersport races before going on to ride them at the TT.

“I have raced a BMW at the North West before for the Riders Motorcycles.com team in 2010. It was in Superstock trim and I had the fastest lap that year in both the Superstock and Superbike races,” said Rutter.

“It must be about 100 years ago since I rode a 600 at the North West-I didn’t realise that they still built them,” he joked.

“But the Triumphs seem to be very fast. We had a private test in Spain and the bike felt really good so I’m looking forward to getting out there on them.”

"It will be very hard to beat Alastair on any bike at the North West. He is riding a 600 every weekend and he is the man in form. Seeley is the one to beat but I will try to put a bit of pressure on him.”