World Superbikes: Northern Ireland will not host round in 2019

Northern Ireland will not host a round of the World Superbike Championship in 2019 as the Lake Torrent Circuit in Coalisland will not be ready in time.

Construction has been delayed at the £30m circuit located on a former clay pits site.

It had been thought that a round of the series could be staged at the 2.2-mile County Tyrone course as early as next year after a three-year agreement was struck between the developers and World Superbike owners Dorna.

Once completed, the developers hope Lake Torrent will regenerate the Coalisland area through new jobs in the business, leisure and engineering sectors - as well as boosting tourism in Mid Ulster.

Northern Ireland's Jonathan Rea is on the verge of securing a history-making fourth WSB title after clinching doubles at the three most recent rounds of the series.

"I would be my hope that this is just a delay because riding in front of my home fans in Northern Ireland would be a dream come true," said Rea.

"Unfortunately with projects of this scale you can't just magically make them happen so the news doesn't come as a huge surprise.

"It was a very ambitious project to be ready for 2019 but I really hope we can find a world class facility to groom the next world champions from Northern Ireland and I will definitely be supporting the project."