Road Racing: Richard Cooper has 2022 wins reinstated

Richard Cooper has been reinstated for his two race wins from the North West 200.

Richard Cooper’s two race wins from the 2022 North West 200 have been reinstated after 18 months. The two. Race wins, lap records and any prize will be awarded to the British rider and the team.

Cooper was racing for the J McC Roofing Racing Kawasaki team with his bike built by Ryan Farquhar. The 40-year-old crossed the line in first but due to an infringement with the fairing bracket, the win was taken away.

Two hours after the race, Pierre-Yves Bian and Joe Loughlin were awarded the wins and declared winners.

Cooper returned to the North West 200 in 2023 with the KMR Kawasaki built by Farquhar winning once again. Cooper won both Supertwin races in 2023, claiming new lap records in the process. With the wins reinstated, this will make him a four-time North West 200 race winner.

On top of his road racing success, Cooper also became the first-ever BMW F 900 R Cup Champion. In 2023 the rider from Nottingham won all nine races, to win the Championship by a comfortable 31 points.

To round off his year, Cooper won both the Saturday Supersport and Supertwin race at the Sunflower.

Cooper won the Saturday Supersport and Supertwin race at the Sunflower to round off his year. He was riding the KMR with Ryan Farquhar, adding that he is intending to return with Cooper for the 2024 season.

The MCUI Statement reads:

“The appeal had been lodged by Richard Cooper’s Team, JMC Roofing at the NW200 on the 14th May 2022, after the race results was protested against, the Milltown Service Station Supertwin Race Winner (Cooper) was then excluded from the results for a technical infringement.

“Richard Cooper was allowed to compete in JM Paterson Supertwin race 2 on the day under appeal. Unfortunately, the MCUI (UC) failed to hold an appeal in a timely manner. The appeal was subsequently heard on 1st November 2023.

“A panel of five appointed Jury members heard the appeal and submissions from Richard Cooper’s Team before reaching a decision.

“The decision of the appeal panel is as follows: Milltown Service Station Supertwin Race 1 on Sat 14th May 2022 – Appeal upheld. JM Patterson Supertwin Race 2 on Sat 14th May 2022 – Appeal upheld

“Richard Cooper’s race wins are reinstated with any prize money due, lap or race records. The Provisional race results for the two supertwin races can now be updated.”

Image credit: Stephen Davison