'It's just magical' - Stacey to return to NW200

If ever a name was appropriate to reflect the impact a competitor made on his debut year at the North West 200, it is Storm Stacey.

The British Superbike star did indeed take the event by storm by winning two thrilling races on his first appearance over the Triangle circuit in 2026.

And the good news for his legions of fans is that the charismatic 23-year-old, with the magnetic personality to match his accomplished racing skills, has agreed a deal to return to the international road race event next year.

Stacey, with trademark top hat and undoubted star quality, proved to be as popular off the track as he was on it six months ago.

But it was his two stunning victories in the Superstock class and the feature North West 200 event that attracted the particular adulation of the thousands of spectators who were trackside to hail a new hero.

"It was always going to be hard to keep me away from here to be honest," said Stacey of his agreed return in an interview with BBC Sport NI's Stephen Watson.

"The feeling, the sensations, it's just magical when this event is on. If you haven't been, you haven't witnessed it, you've only seen it on the telly, it doesn't do it justice.

"It's unbelievable. We've done a couple of laps round again and I've been getting those feelings straight away.

"You're five abreast doing 200mph. You just don't get it anywhere else. It's a mega event."

Stacey's double success saw him join an elite band of 27 newcomers who have won at the North West 200 at their first attempt.

New Zealander Bruce Anstey was the last rider to achieve the feat in a 1000cc class back in 2002, while former British 125cc champion Christian Elkin triumphed on his bow in the 250cc category five years later.

"I didn't plan to come here and win, but if you're ever in with a chance of winning you're going to try and win. You're not going to say, 'I'm just a newcomer, I'm going to knock it off a bit and finish second'.

"The plan was just to come here, have a successful North West 200 and come away safe and sound. It gelled, it clicked, it was fun, it was a nice environment, and we came away happy."

The British Superbike race winner saw off the determined challenge of home hero Michael Dunlop to take the Superstock honours and then fended off Dean Harrison and North West 200 Superbike wins record holder Glenn Irwin to claim victory in the feature event.

"I've never raced against Michael anywhere in my career so to race against him here was so special. Thinking of all his heritage. His family have all raced round here," enthused Stacey.

"Then to race against Glenn and Dean. Glenn has won so many races round here [a record 12 Superbike wins], and then to beat Glenn as well, you can't describe it.

"It's like you're gliding through clouds when you're racing round here and when things are going well you're just floating, you're on another level, and adrenaline takes over.

"You finish the race and you don't know how you did it."

Stacey will compete for the GRYD Racing Team, co-owned by Michael Laverty and David Eltherington, in both the British Superbike Championship and NW200 next season.

In 2026, the Staffordshire native finished 13th in the BSB series.

He will be joined in the team by Irwin, with the pair riding Alpha Racing-prepared BMW 1000 RR machines.

"It's going to be very interesting. I get on with Glenn really well, he helped me a lot when I got here and told me a lot of things to look out for.

"But you just know when you go racing round here and get those visors down nobody is going to be giving each other anything to give an advantage.

"I'm very happy to come back. The place is gorgeous. You can't not want to come here, it's special.

"If I can get that feeling for years to come that would be amazing. It's not something I want to not experience."

The prospect of Stacey and Irwin locking horns as team-mates around the Triangle is one that will have road race fans licking their lips in anticipation and the English rider says his continued participation in the event represents a partnership that can benefit both himself and the race meeting.

"This morning I got recognised three times coming out of the airport. You feel like a rockstar, like a celebrity, when you come over here. You don't necessarily get that back home," he said.

"I gained 10,000 followers on Instagram that week when the North West was on and I did what I did. The traction is good for me and the event so it works both ways."