Harrison and Dunlop top NW200 practice leaderboards

TL;DR

Dean Harrison recorded the fastest Superbike time at the North West 200, while Michael Dunlop led the Superstocks. The session was delayed due to a fatal incident earlier in the day.

Key points

Dean Harrison set the fastest Superbike time
Michael Dunlop was best in Superstocks
Peter Hickman topped Supertwins timesheets
Alastair Seeley was fastest in Supersport
Qualifying session was delayed due to a fatal incident

Dean HarrisonMichael DunlopPeter HickmanAlastair Seeley

Dean Harrison set the fastest Superbike time in Thursday's delayed qualifying session at the North West 200.

Michael Dunlop was best of the Superstocks, Peter Hickman topped the Supertwins timesheets and Alastair Seeley was fastest in the Supersport session.

The qualifying run was rescheduled for Thursday evening after the session scheduled for earlier in the day was halted as a result of an incident which claimed the life of a rider following an accident at Station Corner.

The family of the rider involved did not wish for them to be named but gave their approval for the event to continue.

Three races had been set to take place on Thursday night but instead the riders were given further practice time.

Honda rider Harrison was the quickest Superbike at an average speed of 124.60mph, 2.3 seconds faster than 11-time winner Glenn Irwin, who posted 123.491 on his Ducati.

BMW rider Richard Cooper was next on the practice leaderboard at 122.640mph, with Josh Brookes, Michael Dunlop and high-profile newcomer Storm Stacey completing the top six.

Dunlop took his MD Racing BMW to pole position in the Superstocks with a speed of 122.578, just four tenths of a second quicker than second-placed rider Richard Cooper (122.390mph).

Harrison was third in the timings on 122.162, followed by British Superbike regular Stacey, Brookes and Paul Jordan.

Hickman's late lap of 111.250 proved enough to lead the Supertwin session as he looks to add further victories in the class following his double in that category in 2024.

Jordan, winner of the second Twins outing 12 months ago, was one second adrift of the Lincolnshire rider at 110.861, with Jeremy McWilliams in third at 110.662.

The Supersport outing was cut short when the red flags came out with Seeley emerging as the polesitter with his best lap of 115.905.

Dunlop was marginally slower at 115.752, with Harrison continuing his good form with 115.752 in setting the third quickest time.

Practice leaderboard

Superbikes - 1 Dean Harrison (Honda) 124.60mph; 2 Glenn Irwin (Ducati) 123.491; 3 Richard Cooper (BMW) 122.640; 4 Josh Brookes (Honda) 122.442; 5 Michael Dunlop (Honda) 122.226; 6 Storm Stacey (Ducati) 122.179

Q&A

Who were the fastest riders in the North West 200 practice sessions?

Dean Harrison topped the Superbike times, Michael Dunlop led the Superstocks, Peter Hickman was fastest in the Supertwins, and Alastair Seeley led the Supersport session.

What caused the delay in the North West 200 qualifying session?

The qualifying session was delayed due to a fatal accident involving a rider at Station Corner earlier in the day.

What was the outcome for the rider involved in the accident at the North West 200?

The rider involved in the accident unfortunately lost their life, and their family approved for the event to continue.