Marshall Neill isn’t unduly concerned by the cold weather forecast for the MCRRCI/Killinchy Club-promoted Enkalon Trophy meeting at Bishopscourt in Co Down on Easter Saturday.

The Portadown rider hasn’t ridden a bike in anger this year, but the wily Neill will line up for the two-leg Enkalon feature race as one of the main favourites on Wilson Craig’s Honda Fireblade.

Neill, who will also contest the Supersport class on Craig’s Honda CBR6000RR, expects a chilly day at Bishopscourt, but the experienced British championship campaigner says it is up to competitors to adjust to the conditions and ride accordingly.

“Obviously you can’t push as hard if the track temperature is really cold, but it’s just a matter of adapting to whatever the conditions may be,” Neill told the News Letter.

“It’s just the same if it was wet - you’ve got to judge how fast you can go and find the limit of the tyres.

“I haven’t ridden a bike all year but I’m looking forward to getting out and hopefully we’ll get a decent crowd and all will go well for the organisers.”

Neill’s opposition includes Fermanagh man Lee Johnston on the Team Rapido Sport Ducati Panigale 1199R plus Stephen Thompson, who will ride John Burrows’ Cookstown/BE Racing Suzuki GSX-R1000.

Irish Superbike champion Denver Robb plus Jonny Buckley will fancy their chances of staking a claim for the rostrum places at Bishopscourt, where practice is scheduled for a 9am start.

The first race is due off at approximately 11am, with the first leg of the Adelaide Insurance-backed 37th Enkalon Trophy race getting under way following the lunch break.

The MCRRCI’s Mark Sanlon said he anticipates a bumper crowd for the annual Easter showpiece.

“We’re looking forward to a great day’s racing and I was at Bishopscourt today and everything was fine,” he said.

“The riders have enough information from tyre manufacturers to make their choices according to the conditions and we hope to have the rider briefings completed by 8.30am to set the ball rolling.”

Admission is only £5, including an official programme.



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