At 62 years old, most athletes are long retired, but Jeremy McWilliams is proving that age is just a number as he prepares for the North West 200. The veteran rider, who already boasts three race wins at the iconic event, says he feels "happier than I've ever been" heading into this week's competition.
McWilliams has had a legendary career that spans the globe. From winning the 2001 Dutch world championship 250cc round at Assen to competing alongside MotoGP icon Valentino Rossi, his resume is nothing short of impressive. But it's the North West 200 that keeps him coming back for more.
"All the rulebooks say you shouldn't be racing or 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."
Since his North West 200 debut in 2012, McWilliams has racked up an incredible 13 podium finishes, including five second places and five third-place finishes alongside his three Supertwins victories. He insists he would never enter just to "make the numbers up"—he's there to win.
What keeps the Glengormley rider going after all these years? It's the atmosphere. Unlike the high-pressure world of MotoGP, where riders are whisked from pit lane to garages, the North West 200 offers something more personal.
"Riding here on the coast, in front of the home fans, when you see so many people turning up—it's jammed," McWilliams said. "It's a good feeling, meeting people and chatting to them. This is much more open and accessible. It's fun because you meet people you haven't seen in a few years."
For fans of road racing, McWilliams is a true inspiration—proof that passion, fitness, and self-belief can keep you competitive at the highest level, regardless of the number on your birthday cake. Whether you're a rider or just a spectator, his story reminds us all that it's never too late to chase the checkered flag.