In a dramatic last-minute shake-up ahead of the North West 200, veteran rider Jeremy McWilliams has made a strategic switch to his Supersport machinery, opting to pilot a Kawasaki 636 for the CD Racing team.

The 62-year-old road racing legend, known for his tactical prowess and storied career, will now tackle the two Supersport races on the demanding Triangle circuit aboard the CD Racing/MSS Kawasaki package. This late change comes after McWilliams had already secured a ride on a Yamaha R7 for the Supertwins outings, courtesy of Flitwick Motorcycles.

McWilliams steps in for Adam McLean, who has been sidelined from this year's North West 200 and the Isle of Man TT. With McLean out, McWilliams brings a wealth of experience to both teams, adding depth to an already competitive field.

"It has all been last minute," McWilliams shared, reflecting on the whirlwind of changes. "It was nice to get the phone call from a long-established team like Steve Linsdell's Flitwick outfit, which has a good pedigree. And now I'm joining Nick Morgan and Chris Dowd for the Supersport races—guys I've known for many, many years. I'm happy to join forces with them."

The Glengormley rider emphasized the practical advantages of the new setup. "The CD Racing/MSS Kawasaki package comes with two fully prepared bikes plus a support crew. It is a good option that is difficult to overlook for the North West, which is tough on machinery. When you are riding in two classes, you get much more track time, so it's a win/win situation."

McWilliams is no stranger to success at the North West 200. With three victories, five second-place finishes, and five third-place finishes to his name, he has racked up a total of 13 podium finishes over his career on the iconic circuit. This late switch adds an extra layer of intrigue to an already thrilling event, as fans eagerly await to see how the veteran adapts to his new machinery on race day.