Adrian Archibald faces his biggest challenge of the year when he lines up against David Jefferies, Iain Duffus, Ian Loughter and Jason Griffiths in tomorrow's 72nd International Ulster Grand Prix at Dundrod.
Archibald spearheads the Irish challenge in the two Open races and the Regal 600. He has been in superb form in recent road races, and should have the measure of fellow Ulster riders Adrian McFarland, John Donnan, Richard Britton, Brian Gardiner, Ryan Farquhar, Victor Gilmore and Alex Donaldson.
Yorkshire's David Jefferies scored a double in last year's Ulster GP. He holds the lap record for the challenging 7.4 miles Dundrod Circuit at 126.858 mph, which he set in 1999 on a 1000cc Yamaha R1.
With the cancellation of this year's North-West 200 and the Isle of Man TT races, Jefferies has not competed in a road race since the Macau Grand Prix in the Far East last November. No doubt he will be back on the pace in today's practice (11 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.). Scottish rider Duffus and Welshmen Loughter and Griffiths are no strangers to Dundrod and will should put pressure on Jefferies.
Robert Dunlop has won all the 125cc races this year. He had his work cut out to beat Dubliner Mark Curtin at the recent Mid-Antrim 150. Ian Loughter also competes in the 125cc race, but on current form Dunlop will start favourite.
