Tyco Suzuki British Superbike contender Alastair Seeley is the red-hot favourite to be crowned the Enkalon Irish Motorcyclist of the Year at next Friday’s Adelaide Motorcycle Awards in Belfast.

Seeley captured the British Supersport title in 2011 in dramatic style following an enthralling season-long struggle with chief rival Ben Wilson.

The North West 200 hero kept his nerve to overhaul his Gearlink Kawasaki opponent as the season reached a climax, bridging an 11-point deficit at the final round at Brands Hatch to scoop the silverware for Northern Ireland’s Relentless TAS Suzuki team.

The Carrick rider has been rewarded with a coveted ride on the Tyco Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike for 2012, which looks resplendent in the official blue and white Suzuki livery after TAS Racing secured a new sponsorship deal this season with Tyco Security Products.



World Superbike star Eugene Laverty is the current holder of the prestigious Joey Dunlop Trophy, but the Toomebridge man - who has joined the factory Aprilia team for 2012 alongside Max Biaggi - has his work cut out to retain the accolade, with the voting public apparently swayed by Seeley’s spirited fightback to wrap up the Supersport title.

The 32-year-old also won the only race held at the North West 200 last May, edging out road race specialist Cameron Donald in wet conditions to stand on the top step of the rostrum in the Supersport class.

Isle of Man TT winner Michael Dunlop also figures prominently in the voting for the main award at the gala showpiece at the Ramada Hotel.

Dunlop, yet to confirm his plans for this season, beat John McGuinness and Guy Martin to win the Superstock race on the Island and also romped to a superb Supersport and Superstock treble at the Ulster Grand Prix at Dundrod, capping an excellent year that also saw the 22-year-old reign at the Southern 100 and amass a haul of national victories on the roads.

The Irish road racing Superbike and Supersport champion is expected to push Seeley close for the top prize, although the Suzuki hot-shot is believed to have the edge in the public vote.

A host of awards will be presented on the night, overseen by a panel of judges chaired by ex-250cc British champion Adrian Coates.

The glittering guest-list for the bash includes current British Superbike champion Tommy Hill, TT legend John McGuinness, NW200 favourite Michael Rutter, Scottish pair Keith Amor and Stuart Easton plus Dunlop and Ryan Farquhar.



.