Bailey Harker Reflects on Breakthrough Irish Roads Season
Junior Support rider Bailey Harker discusses his standout season on the Irish roads, including victories at Armoy and his first experience racing the
Junior Support category racer Bailey Harker has described his 2026 season on the Irish roads as a dream come true. The Lincolnshire rider, runner-up in the Ulster Road Race Junior Support Championship, scored significant victories at Cookstown, Tandragee, and Armoy.
Harker told Roadracing News that the year's success was unexpected, especially following a difficult start. "You couldn't have write how this year has gone," he said, referencing the mental challenge of dealing with the loss of fellow rider Aran Sadler. His season turned around with a win at Cookstown, followed by podium finishes at Tandragee and a double victory at Armoy.
Standout Performances on Irish Circuits
Harker's results on the smaller Irish circuits were a highlight. At Armoy, he achieved what he called a "dream come true" by winning both the Junior Support 600cc race and the Super Twin race. He noted that winning on a 600cc machine was a particular goal, stating it was "a small ticked-box sort of thing because I want to be known as more than just a little bike rider." These performances contributed to his strong standing in the Ulster championship.
Mountain Course Debut at the Manx GP
The season also included Harker's first competitive outing on the iconic Mountain Course at the Manx Grand Prix. He finished twelfth in the Carole Nash Junior Manx GP race, with a best lap speed of 109.895 mph. He described the overall experience as "mega," adding that he had no specific expectations going into the event. "Everything come naturally and each time I come in, I've gone an extra two mph faster,"Harker remarked about his learning curve on the demanding circuit."If the weather's good, want to get down into the 50's, one minute 50," he said, focusing on performance over final position. His broader ambition is to secure a spot on the main grid for future events.
Harker hopes to continue his partnership with the Cowton Racing team into the 2027 season. The 2024 Oliver's Mount CB 500 Champion's season was defined by consistent progress across different circuits and machine categories, from the tight Irish roads to the vast challenge of the Isle of Man.
