Following a one-year break, Steve Plate♈r is returning to the North West 200 public roads circuit with Honda Racing. However, it will be a new experience for the Lincolnshire rider꧃ as he makes the change from a twin to Honda's latest four-cylinder contender.

Practice sessions will be vital for Plater as he makes the adjustment from the Honda Racing VTR1000 SP-2 he campaigned in 2003 to the British Superbike specification Honda Racing 🃏UK CBR1000RR Fireblade of Karl Harris.

Plater's appearance at the famous Northern Irish triangle circuit saw him fini💧sh on the podiu♛m in third position.

He is aiming for a similar result on Saturday 21 May in at least one of the two eight-🌌lap Superbike races.

The North West 200 is one of Ulster's most popular sporting events, which attracts over 200 competitors and♈ 100,000 spectators annually to the North Antrim coast. The 8.9-mile circuit includes fast straights, blind crests and tight bends, which link the towns of Portrush, Portstewart and🌱 Coleraine.

"I'm really looking forward to the two races this weekend, because this is one of my favourite events," commented Plater. "It's great to be back with﷽ Honda Racing as well and I'm excited about riding the new CBR1000RR Fireblade. Having seen its performance from close💝 quarters in this year's British Superbike Championship with Karl Harris, I think that it will perform really well here."

Full coverage of the North West 200 can be found on the mahbx.com EXTRA channel.