Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough will again play host to the first real road race of the season, with the Spring Cup once more the curtain raiser at the Yorkshire venue. It becomes a two-day meeting for the first time this weekend, with the increase designed to allow competitors to qualify for their TT Mountain License and also cut down costs of travel, making it a more viable event for the top teams in the process.

With Silkolene and Bridgestone coming in as partners for all the Oliver’s Mount meetings, there’s an increase in both anticipation and expectation at the 2.43-mile circuit this year.

Considering the meeting will deliver Guy Martin’s first appearance of the season, as usual, it is sure to be as interesting off the track as it will be on it. Indeed, the meeting carries even more significance this time around as it will be Martin’s first race outing on the Tyco BMW after four years of campaigning Suzuki machinery.

All eyes will no doubt be on Martin, and team-mate William Dunlop, to see exactly how he fares and whilst Oliver’s Mount may not necessarily be a true indication of how the season will pan out at the International road races, it will give the Lincolnshire rider and Tyco a platform to build upon. The twists, bumps and undulating terrain of the track will prove a worthwhile exercise at least, and it’s one the public will relish watching.

The same applies to Dean Harrison, who should be Martin’s closest challenger over the course of the two days. The 26-year lines up in all classes this year for Mar-Train Racing Yamaha and he’ll be out on the all-new Yamaha R1, keen to get one over the Tyco BMW man as they start their new campaigns. Harrison has been abroad testing and it could well be a defining year for the Bradford rider as he strives to conquer the top step in either (if not both) the 1000cc or 600cc classes at the Internationals.

It certainly won’t be just about these two though with Ivan Lintin, Lee Johnston and Ryan Farquhar adding further spice to proceedings. International Gold Cup winner Lintin has replaced Harrison at RC Express Racing Kawasaki and will be a force to be reckoned with, as will Johnston making his debut on the East Coast Construction BMW and Triumph having moved from Honda machinery.

Farquhar, meanwhile, will again be amongst the favourites in the Supertwin class and, although his last appearance on a big bike at Oliver’s Mount was over two and a half years ago, the one-time lap record holder cannot be ruled out in the Superbike class either.

Another top rider who will be making a welcome return to a race circuit for 2 years is Ian Lougher, who will be riding a Moto 3 Honda in the Lightweight category. Meanwhile, at the opposite end of the racing ladder is James Cowton, who more than proved his worth in 2014 as he stepped up to the International road races and deservedly won the Duke Road Race Rankings title.

Expect the Yorkshire rider to make further strides forward this season and the Spring Cup meeting could see the start of that.

The Goodings brothers, Mick and Mark, will again be in attendance as will fellow circuit regular Keith Pringle, whilst Manx Grand Prix winner James Neesom is another expected to be pushing the established guard as he looks to get his year underway in style. Meanwhile, Gareth Keys, who will make his TT debut later this year, adds further weight to the challenge from Northern Ireland.

There should also be an excellent turn out of sidecars with the two main front runners expected to be Ian and Carl Bell and Conrad Harrison/Lee Patterson whilst one newcomer that has entered is one of the favourite’s for this year’s British Championship title, Lee Crawford.