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This year’s NW200 has come round in a flash and I can’t wait for the action to get underway. This morning at 10am I got my various North West roles in position. I promise I don’t have much time to spare! I have three bosses here really – I work hard with events safety and the newcomers for Mervyn Whyte MBE, whilst my demanding media bosses are Greenlight TV and ´óÏó´«Ã½ online.

Safety has been the key message of the day, with it particularly important this year given the unpredictable weather conditions.Ìý I work closely with technical director Mervyn Whyte as an ex rider passing on my experience with the aim of maximising safety for today’s riders. This year Steve Platter and myself have taken the newcomers round the track making them aware of what to look out for and what to avoid – hoping to make their first experience of the North West enjoyable and safe.

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I am going straight over to the track now and taking on the role of an instructor before the practice session. The newcomers are broken into four groups with an instructor for each group and they get five or six laps round the circuit.

As for the riders, I’m not sure what to take from the expressions on their faces today – some seen excited and couldn’t wait, whilst others had a look of apprehension to put it mildly! As for many of these guys it will be the first time they will have ever approached 200mph on a motorbike never mind on a public road, including Ballyclare man Jamie Robinson who doesn’t even have a road licence. As soon as I get off my bike with the newcomers it’s over to the commentary box to spread the North West message to the world.

For the riders in general my advice tonight is to take it easy, get their minds into focusing at 200mph, with their bikes set up and their racing lines prepared for Thursday evening.

I wish them well.