Davey Todd insists he won't repeat the "same mistakes again" as he plots North West 200 glory.
Todd will line up at next month's international road race determined to right the wrongs of last year.
The Milenco By Padgetts star was a four-time runner up in 2022, which would rank as a pretty successful campaign for any rider, especially after setting new lap records in both the Supersport and Superstock classes.
Read more: Jack Kennedy admits he has 'set the bar high' after brilliant BSB opener
But for Todd, errors cost him big wins on the Triangle circuit.
“A good North West 200 for me this year will be going one better in every race than I did last year," the 27-year-old smiled.
“That would definitely do the trick.”
The Saltburn on Sea rider had been impressive during Thursday evening’s tough conditions last year, following Alastair Seeley home in the wet Superstock and Supersport encounters.
In Saturday’s sunshine, he lost out on victory by just 0.1 sec to Lee Johnston in the second 600cc event and by 0.3 sec to Glenn Irwin in the Superbikes.
“I was really pleased to be in the battle for wins in the dry and the wet and I had some great races.” Todd recalls.
“I had a great battle with Lee Johnston in the Supersport race on Saturday and was just pipped for the win right at the end.
"Irwin is the man to beat on a Superbike at the North West at the moment and I took it to him in the first Superbike race. I had the pace but I lacked the race craft to win.”
Dunlop tyre problems prevented Todd from lining up for a big rematch in the feature Merrow hotel Superbike race, at last year's North West 200, with a number of other riders also forced to withdraw from the showpiece finale due to the issues.
“I really wanted another go in the second Superbike race but it wasn’t to be," Todd said.
“But being at the front in the wet and the dry was something positive for me to take away from last year’s North West.
“In every class and in every condition, I was there, battling different people for the win in every race.”
He added: “My lap times are there and I know I have got the speed.
“But it comes down to making the passes at the right places and defending the lead at the right places. In the Superbike race against Glenn last year I just ran in a little too wide at Metropole on the last lap. Both of us were strong on the brakes but he just got underneath me and that is where I lost out.”
Losing out on the last lap of his epic Supersport battle with Johnston is blamed on another last lap mistake at Juniper.
“I just wasn’t defensive enough going into the chicane and he got past.” Todd says.
“I have watched the footage time and time again and kicked myself for it. But I will be a wiser man this year and not make the same mistakes again.”
READ NEXT:
- Noel Hanna tributes paid as Ulster Rugby coach remembers 'inspirational' figure
Mark Allen blasts 'two idiots' who interrupted World Championship snooker match
Kenny Bruce reacts to Larne title win and 'money money money' jibe
Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox.
