North West 200: Debutant Storm Stacey passes his test with historic wins

His rivals were equally as impressed. Glenn Irwin had been talking about his British Superbike rival ahead of the event and wasn’t surprised that he delivered.

The two had gone head-to-head in the final Superbike race, and Stacey’s victory ended Irwin’s 12-race winning streak in the category.

Irwin was circumspect, saying you “win some and you lose some” and added that Stacey “had done an incredible job”.

He did, however, suggest that Stacey’s inexperience at road racing led him to “ride harder” than the other competitors, and is hopeful he will “clean it up a little bit” due to the dangers of racing on closed public roads.

While Irwin lost his Superbike crown, he has welcomed the emergence of a new rival.

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

“My rivals have changed every year since I’ve been here. At first it was Alastair [Seeley, the record wins holder], it was Davey [Todd] and Michael [Dunlop] at moments, Dean [Harrison] has pushed me every year and Storm is there now.

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

“The rivalry is on track, and off track the respect is always there.”