At 62 years old, most athletes are enjoying a well-earned retirement. But Jeremy McWilliams isn't most athletes. The veteran road racer heads into this week's North West 200 feeling "happier than I've ever been," fueled by an unshakeable self-belief that defies age and convention.

McWilliams first tackled the iconic Triangle circuit back in 2012, but his racing pedigree runs much deeper. The Glengormley native has competed across the globe, from MotoGP alongside legends like nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi to a memorable victory at the 2001 Dutch 250cc round at Assen. Now, he's chasing a fourth North West 200 win—and he's not just there to make up the numbers.

"All the rulebooks say you shouldn't be racing or be as competitive, or your reactions slow down," McWilliams told the BBC Bikes Podcast. "I can tell you they definitely don't. It's a self-belief thing. If you believe and you have the confidence and you're fit enough to do the job, it gives me great pleasure to be able to run at the front, particularly in this class."

That class is the Supertwins category, where McWilliams has already claimed three victories. Over 14 years at the North West 200, he's amassed 13 podium finishes—five second places and five thirds, alongside those wins. But numbers only tell part of the story.

What keeps McWilliams coming back isn't just the competition; it's the atmosphere. After a career spent in the high-pressure world of Grand Prix racing, where riders are whisked from pit lane to private garages, the North West 200 offers something different. "Riding here on the coast, in front of the home fans... it's a good feeling, meeting people and chatting to them," he says. "It's much more open and accessible."

This week, as thousands pack the paddock on race day, McWilliams will line up with the same fire that's driven him for decades. Age may have slowed others, but for this road racing veteran, the thrill of the chase remains as powerful as ever.