Josh Brookes has expressed his desire to finally win a race at the North West 200. The Australian rider is returning to the event this year with DAO Racing. Davey Todd, however, has been ruled out of the international road race due to injury.
Brookes Seeks Elusive North West 200 Win
Josh Brookes, a former lap record holder at the North West 200, is determined to add a win at the event to his racing record. He will be riding Hondas for the DAO Racing team in the Superbike and Superstock races. Brookes will also compete in the Supersport category on a Suzuki.
“I still haven’t won a race at the North West and that bothers me a bit,” Brookes stated. He acknowledged Alastair Seeley’s multiple wins at the event, adding, “there’s still that thing inside you that thinks I could have, should have, would have won at least once by now. And I’ve still got that desire that makes me want to come back and try.”
Brookes returned to the North West 200 in 2025 with the Jackson Racing team after sitting out the 2024 event, securing four top-10 finishes.
Todd Ruled Out Due to Injury
Davey Todd has been ruled out of this year’s North West 200 international road race. Todd said he is “gutted” by the decision. The race meeting’s chief medical officer deemed him unfit to compete due to insufficient recovery from injuries sustained in a crash at the Daytona races in Florida in early March.
The 30-year-old suffered a broken femur, tibia, foot, and nose in the incident, requiring surgery in the USA. Despite teammate Peter Hickman’s earlier optimism about Todd’s participation, his hopes have been dashed.
“Following his injuries at Daytona in March, Davey Todd underwent a medical examination by the Chief Medical Officer at the 2026 Briggs Equipment North West 200 today,” the organisers said in a statement.
Race director Mervyn Whyte expressed his disappointment at Todd’s absence. “We are very disappointed that Davey will not be on the grid this year,” Whyte said. “He has enjoyed a lot of success at the North West and a huge following who will be equally disappointed. We would all have loved to have seen him out there racing but safety is paramount.”
Todd had achieved trebles at each of the past two North West 200s.
Livestream Delay
The start of proceedings on the Triangle circuit has been slightly delayed. The livestream coverage will now commence at 10:00 BST.
The North West 200 organisers have emphasised that safety is paramount following the decision to rule Davey Todd out of this year’s event.