Michael Dunlop set the fastest time in the opening Superbike session at the North West 200 on Tuesday by a huge seven seconds on his Honda TT Legends Fireblade.

Dunlop powered to the top spot on his final lap of the session, which was held in mixed conditions on the 8.9-mile circuit, with parts of the course damp after earlier rain while other sections were perfectly dry.

The 24-year-old Ulsterman’s fastest lap of 118.21mph put him 7.6s ahead of Kiwi Bruce Anstey on the new-look HM Plant/Padgett’s Honda, who managed an average speed of 115mph.


Tyco Suzuki’s Guy Martin was next at 114.68mph on his GSX-R1000 ahead of team-mate and British Superbike star Josh Brookes, who is making his road racing debut at the event as he prepares for the Isle of Man TT.

The top six was completed by William Dunlop on the Milwaukee Yamaha YZF-R1 at 113.80mph.

In the Supersport class, McGuinness took the top spot at 112mph from Anstey at 111.49mph with Lincolnshire man Martin third on the Tyco Suzuki GSX-R600 (11.24mph).

William Dunlop (111.16mph), Stuart Easton (110.76mph) and Michael Dunlop (110.53mph) rounded out the first half dozen.

Alastair Seeley, who is widely regarded as the man to beat at the North West 200, struggled with machine issues on his Gearlink and MSS Kawasakis and failed to register a fast time in either the Supersport or Superbike sessions.



Kyle White
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