If you told a young Glenn Irwin he would go on to win four Superbike races at the North West 200 he would probably have laughed you out of town.
The 31-year-old broke his duck in 2017 on the PBM Ducati and went on to record a double the following year.
He returned in 2019 to steer Quattro Plant Kawasaki to glory, stretching his unbeaten run in the Superbike class to four straight wins.
Read more: North West 200: Alastair Seeley hopes postal runs and gym work deliver more glory
After a three-year hiatus due to Covid-19, the North West 200 is back, with Irwin representing Honda Racing at the famous Triangle circuit.
It has been a whirlwind roll of success for the Carrickfergus rider, and he is determined to extend it even further in 2022.
"When you look back, if someone had told me as a kid I would win four Superbike races at the North West, never mind four in a row, I would be calling you crazy," he said.
"We were always guided away from road racing by my da, so I never thought I'd win one.
"But now I have four, that isn't enough. I want to add to it, and I believe I've got the equipment and team to add to it. All the ingredients are there.
"You can't control whether you've got that feeling that you can do it, and you only find that out when the first dry session comes around on Thursday."
Irwin was fifth fastest in Tuesday's opening practice session on the North Coast, just behind Josh Brookes, Michael Dunlop, Davey Todd and record holder Alastair Seeley.
He will get another run on the bike during Thursday's second session, a final tune-up before Saturday's Superbike double.
"I think the bike is capable of winning road races," Irwin said.
"I think Honda will be an international road race winning machine, whoever is riding it.
"This year the North West line-up is fantastic. I could count 14 riders who are big names and can win.
"The cast is incredible and that makes for some exciting racing this week.
"It is ballistic. Absolutely crackers.
"They include previous winners, people on good machinery, and loads of riders who can win this year or podium."
Read more: North West 200 schedule for practice and race days
Read more: North West 200: Josh Brookes replaces Michael Dunlop on PBM Ducati
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