Harrison Leads Supersport Field for Gold Cup

The HMH Civils Supersport class will headline the 80th Anniversary Visit North Yorkshire Gold Cup with over forty-five world-class entries. Four middleweight races are pending for the event, according to a preview by Road Racing News.

Three years after his last Scarborough appearance, outright lap-record holder Dean Harrison is back. The seven-time TT and three-time Gold Cup winner will ride works Honda machinery for Honda Racing UK and is considered a major favourite.

That same notion applies to several other top contenders. They include Bob Smith Spring Cup winner Richard Cooper, Cock O’The North Feature Race winner Peter Hickman, and reigning Gold Cup Champion Mikey Browne. Harrison, Cooper, Hickman, and Browne are all seen as capable of going unbeaten during the weekend.

Challengers to the Favourites

A host of riders aim to thwart the established favourites. 2026 Northwest 200 revelation Storm Stacey is one. Still a relative newcomer to the roads scene, his Triangle course displays show he is capable of pulling rabbits out of the hat.

Scarborough mainstays and other proven winners will also challenge. This group includes King of The Mount Championship leader Tom Weeden, Joey Thompson, Junior 600 Classic TT winner Rob Hodson, and Manx GP history maker Johnny Stewart. They all have sights set on ruffling feathers.

TT Privateers Champion Barry Furber and Aberdare Park Welsh Open winner Ryan Dixon are among other notable starters. The entry list is packed with TT and Manx GP regulars, Scarborough specialists, and improving new wave forces. You can review the full list of upcoming fixtures for the season.

Notable Entrants and Uncertainties

‘130 Mph Club’ TT member Shaun Anderson is another rider to watch, but his participation is not confirmed. Anderson stated there is a question mark regarding his class presence. "That’s yet to be defined," he said. "When I was speaking to Andy at the club, he said would you be interested in it and I said I would, but I said the bike’s currently receiving some updates post TT. So, given the schedule... am not 100 percent sure if we are going to be able to make that or not."

The extensive entry list includes many more names. It features 400cc lap-record holder Dan Frear, Stock Supersport Championship leader John Marsh, and Ulster Road Race Junior Support Championship runner-up Bailey Harker. Other entrants are David McArthur, Shaun Buckle, Arthur Gissing, Paul Marley, David Brook, Joey Lambden, and Jack Worth.

Further down the list are Dan Forbes, Fred Mcmullan, Aarron Cooke, Aiden Goodings, Scott Aitkin, Jack Sim, Christian ‘Bomber’ Slater, Brad Burn, Rad Hughes, Mark Jackson, and local favourite Paul Moir. Fans can track the performance of these riders in the championship standings as the season progresses.

The preview series from Road Racing News continues tomorrow with a focus on Super Twins starters. Words were provided by Stevie Rial.