Bird secures signing of successful Sealey

PENRITH poultry magnate Paul Bird has snapped up the most successful North West 200 rider in history in a bid to continue his two-wheel domination this year.

Bird will run 24-times winner Alastair Seeley at this year’s event as he aims to boost his team’s success following the departure of Glenn Irwin.

Seeley, renowned as the most successful rider in NW 200 history, had been the man to beat in most classes until his fellow Carrickfergus rider joined the fray three years ago.

Irwin, who was riding the PBM Ducati in the British Superbike Championship, has taken the last three NW Superbike wins aboard the famous red bike, but this year as switched teams and will race with JG Speedfit Kawasaki instead.

And determined to keep his team’s winning streak going, Bird has swooped in and stole Seeley for the event in May.

Seeley, who is keen to get back to the top dog spot at the famous road race, admits he jumped at the opportunity to ride the brand new Ducati V4R.

“I am chasing my 25th victory at the North West 200 and I really want another Superbike race win,” he said. “I know the PBM team will give me a great bike in the new Be Wiser Ducati V4R to help me do that.

“Everyone saw what the Ducati was capable of in the opening round of the World Superbike Championship at Phillip Island last weekend and I am very excited to be riding the bike at the North West 200.”

Seeley and Irwin’s rivalry has been well documented over recent years and while a lot of a so-called rift could be down to media topspin, it’s true that both riders see each other as their main rivals.

“PBM has enjoyed lots of success at the North West 200 but this is a new chapter in a new book for the team with the new V4R machine.

“Top speed and good stability are key at the North West 200 and I think I will have the tools to do the job. The new V4R sounds like a Motogp bike and it will be exciting for everyone to hear it going around the North West 200”

Bird, who this week also pledged to raise £50,000 this year for the Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland charity, is confident Seeley can do the business.

“Three Superbike wins at the North West in the past couple of years has been magnificent and we want to build on that with the new Be Wiser Ducati V4R,” he said.

“So, who better than Alastair Seeley, the most successful rider of all time at the event, to ride the bike and we are confident we can challenge for more race wins.”