North West 200: Debutant Storm Stacey passes her test with historic win

His rivals were equally impressed. Glenn Irwin was talking about his British Superbike rival before the event and wasn’t surprised he delivered.

The two faced off in the final Superbike race, and Stacey’s victory ended Irwin’s 12-race winning streak in the division.

Irwin was cautious, saying you “win some and lose some” and added that Stacey “did an incredible job”.

He did, however, suggest that Stacey’s inexperience in road racing led her to “ride harder” than other competitors and hoped that she would “clean it up a bit” due to the dangers of racing on closed public roads.

While Irwin lost his superbike crown, he welcomed the rise of a new rival.

“He deserves all the success he has now and in the future,” Irwin added.

“My rivals have changed every year since I’ve been here. First it was Alistair (Sealey, the record wins holder), it was Davy (Todd) and Michael (Dunlop) at the moment, Dean (Harrison) has pushed me every year and the storm is there now.

“Rivals always change. My motivation in racing is always to win. I’m grateful to have rivals.

“Competition is on the track, and honor is always there off the track.”