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Gareth Fullerton

North West 200: Glenn Irwin ready to feed off 'twelfth man' on Saturday

Glenn Irwin feels it's his duty to treat fans to another spellbinding display at the North West 200.

The Carrick rider is one of the star attractions at this year's international road race having won the previous four Superbike races on the Triangle circuit.

On Thursday he threw down the gauntlet to his rivals by blitzing the qualifying record in the blue riband class with a blistering 124mph lap, while he also claimed pole position in the Superstocks.

Read more: Weather forecast for Saturday's North West 200 races

And with dry weather expected today on the north coast, Irwin is ready to sizzle once again.

"The North West gives me something. It is an aura or something," he said.

"I feel something special when I get here. I feel it is my job to win here, and I feel the crowd is behind me. It is part of the script and that's my intention in the Superbike class.

"I love having the expectation and fans backing me. But it's not pressure. I don't put pressure on myself.

"When I see the fans waving the programmes around the circuit, it is amazing. It starts at York Corner and goes on from there.

"That gives me something. That gives me what I feel the Northern Ireland players get at Windsor Park."

"They are like the 12th man on the football pitch. I appreciate it and I want them to wave more and shout more.

"Let's hope they get a great bunch of racing. We are all fortunate to be back, and fans are getting to see four British Superbike regulars including three who were in the Showdown last year.

"So the level will be ridiculously high.

"And then you throw in multiple North West and Isle of Man winners, and all the legendary names, it is absolutely incredible.

"I think we will see a bigger North West this year than we've ever seen, because it has been a long three years and fans have been craving the return of the event.

"The fans are brilliant and you feed off that."

Irwin sat out Thursday's Superstock race in the wet, with record race winner Alastair Seeley claiming his second win of the meeting after also winning the opening Supersport class.

Irwin has labelled this year's North West field as "incredible" and believes there are several riders who could emerge on top.

Glenn Irwin using every inch of the road during the second qualifying session (Stephen Davison/Pacemaker)

"Fans are getting to see four British Superbike regulars including three who were in the Showdown last year," he added.

"So the level will be ridiculously high.

"And then you throw in multiple North West and Isle of Man winners, and all the legendary names, it is absolutely incredible.

"I think we will see a bigger North West this year than we've ever seen, because it has been a long three years and fans have been craving the return of the event."

Read more: North West 200: Glenn Irwin to the 'four', but now he wants five and six

Read more: North West 200: Alastair Seeley hopes postal runs and gym work deliver more glory

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