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Ride or Die

Three motorcycle road racers prepare for the North West 200, the fastest and most dangerous of races. They ask whether they are risking death, testing faith or truly living?

Every May, around 100 motorcycle road racers from across the world make the pilgrimage to Northern Ireland to take part in one of the sport鈥檚 fastest and most dangerous events - the North West 200. Racing on closed public roads at speeds in excess of 200 mph, the riders dice with danger and even death.

To outsiders, it looks like a form of madness. To those who do it, it鈥檚 like their religion, and the road their church. But with the ever-present risk of life-changing injuries or fatalities, in recent years the future of the sport has hung in the balance.

Following three riders in the weeks leading up to the North West 200, this film explores how faith, family and the risk of fatality push a diverse cast of racers to the limit.

Lee Johnston is a five-time winner at the North West 200 and a household name in the sport. Following a near-fatal accident in 2023, he is on a journey of recovery to return to racing.

Maria Costello is a trailblazer in the world of road racing. One of a handful of women in the sport, she is determined to get back racing for the first time since the loss of her mum.

Kevin Keyes is an accomplished circuit racer but is competing in the much more dangerous sport of road racing for the first time. With his family worried about his new venture, will he have their support?

11 months left to watch

58 minutes

Audio described

On TV

Today 23:00

Credits

Role Contributor
Director Ben O'Loan
Producer Sharon Whittaker
Production Company DoubleBand Films

Broadcasts

  • Wednesday 22:40
  • Thursday 22:40
  • Thursday 23:20
  • Today 23:00

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