John McGuinness claimed provisional pole for the Supersport class in tricky conditions on Tuesday on his HM Plant/Padgett’s Honda CBR600RR.

The 19-times TT winner lapped at 112mph to take the number one spot ahead of team-mate Bruce Anstey, who wasn’t too far adrift in second place with a best lap at 111.49mph.

McGuinness is regarded as a big bike specialist but the 41-year-old reminded everyone he is still very fast on a 600.

“Yeah I was going alright. People sometimes forget that I can ride a 600!” he said.

“It is a good bike but the conditions were a bit iffy with wet patches all over the place.

“This is my 20th year at the North West 200 and I’m feeling really positive. I know the drill, I know the bikes, I’ve got all my usual crew around me and I’m looking forward to it,” he said.

“I’m keeping my fingers crossed for decent weather on race day but everything is in place for a good result.”


Guy Martin (111.24mph) was third fastest on the Tyco Suzuki followed by William Dunlop on the Milwaukee/CD Racing Yamaha (111.16mph) and Mar-Train Racing Yamaha’s Stuart Easton (110.76mph). The top six was completed by Michael Dunlop on his PTR World Supersport-spec Honda (110.53mph).

Jeremy McWilliams led the way in the Supertwin class from his Vauxhall KMR Kawasaki team-mate Michael Rutter and the veteran racer had a big smile on his face afterwards.

“This was a fun day and I really enjoyed it,” he said. “I was happy that I could go so fast in the dry because I didn’t get any dry runs last year.”

McWilliams lapped at 104.78mph with Rutter managing 104.72mph.

Kilrea man William Davison was a superb third on his Kawasaki at 104.26mph, with KMR Kawasaki regular Jamie Hamilton next (104.25mph) and Michael Dunlop fifth on the McAdoo Kawasaki (103.08mph).



Kyle White
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