Richard Cooper made it a Supertwins double at the 2023 North West 200 on Saturday afternoon, once more easing clear of the pack to lead home Jeremy McWillimas (Bayview Hotel Paton) and Adam McLean (JMcC Roofing Kawasaki).

While Cooper has made a habit of taking the flag first in the NW200 Supertwin class - leading across the line twice last year and twice again this year - last year's controversial exclusion means he can finally savour his belated success on the KMR Kawasaki.

He was still made to work hard for victory, however, Cooper coming up against stiff opposition from McWilliams, who led initially, and fellow Race 1 podium winners McLean and Paul Jordan.

With the front two swapping positions several times over the course of the opening lap, the quartet were covered by 1.4s by the time they returned to the start-finish straight for lap two, well clear of Peter Hickman (PHR Performance Yamaha) and Stefano Bonetti (Team ILR Bonetti), while American newcomer Cory West was also going well on the second JMcC Roofing machine in eighth.

Up at the front, McWilliams and McLean went side by side going into Station, before Cooper hit the front upon reaching University. By Mather’s Cross, however, it was McLean leading once more, coming across the line to start lap three with 0.691s between himself, McWilliams and Cooper

Cooper hit the front again at University, immediately getting the hammer down to put air between himself and his rivals.

Starting the last lap, Cooper’s lead had shot up to 2.6s to leave McWilliams and McLean to squabble over second and whilst Jordan was on his own in fourth. With Hickman retiring from fifth place with technical issues, Bonetti now held the position, with Joseph Loughlin (G2-Tech Kawasaki) keeping him company less than a second behind.

With momentum on his side, Cooper gradually eased clear over the course of the final to run out victor for the second time in the day, his eventual winning margin over McWilliams a commanding 4.8s. McLean dropped off the back of his rival after running on at Mill Road Roundabout to finish third and with Jordan taking fourth, Bonetti successfully saw off the challenge of Loughlin for fifth.

West took a fine seventh ahead of Emmet O’Grady (TAG Racing Aprilia), Jamie Williams (JLG/NCE Racing Kawasaki) and Kris Duncan (TCC/NSB Contracts/KD Racing Aprilia).

Additional reporting by Ollie Barstow