John McGuinness’ latest North West 200 podium came in 2012, before he finished third in the second Superstock race of the 2024 edition.

McGuinness ran in fourth place for much of the event, but was promoted to third late on after his Honda Racing UK teammate Dean Harrison retired. Then, a late battle with James Hillier went the way of McGuinness after they went different ways around a backmarker on the last lap, securing McGuinness a first North West 200 podium in 12 years, and 30 years on from his NW200 debut.

“I honestly never thought that I would stand back on a podium,” McGuinness said afterwards, “so I am absolutely over the moon. This takes a lot of work, and I’ve been going about my business, putting in the hours and the miles to prepare. 

“I get a bit of stick and some people doubt me but it’s such a motivator for me. To still be here thirty years after making my debut and fighting with these young ones is something else. 

“I just kept pushing and pushing in the race to get on the back of James, and yes I benefited from a bit of good luck but that’s racing. James just went the wrong side of a back marker and that sort of handed it to me.”

Although the aforementioned Harrison retired from the Superstock race, he put in one of the rides of the week to remain in victory contention for much of the final Superbike race, and eventually finish third on the Superstock-spec Honda Fireblade he was forced to run.

“It was a fast race from the start in that final Superbike race to be honest,” Harrison explained. “I tried to hang on to the back of Davey and Glenn on the Stocker for as long as I could, and, honestly, I just rode as hard as I could to stick with them in case they made any mistakes. 

“I rode as hard as I could everywhere and braked as hard as I could to try and make the difference against a Superbike.

“I’m over the moon to put a brand new Superstock bike on the podium in a Superbike race. It’s a new bike and we are learning all the time so I look forward to getting off to Donington next week where we will learn a bit more in BSB and then on to the Isle of Man. We’ve shown that the bike is strong and we will keep moving forward and getting faster and faster.”