John McGuinness speaking to BBC Sport NI:

"I am putting the work in as I want to be strong and competitive at the North West 200.

"I have been in lots of fantastic races here and I have been in a winning position, but when I have crossed the line I have finished third but only a couple of seconds off finishing first.

"I have had a lot of good races here and probably should have won more, but I have six and I really cherish those."

Image source, Pacemaker

We're midway through the session and it's Richard Cooper who *just* leads from Davey Todd.

1. Richard Cooper 4:34.202

2. Davey Todd +0.815

3. Mike Browne +6.134

4. Paul Jordan +8.736

5. Peter Hickman +8.997

6. Adam McLean +9.039

7. Michael Evans +10.995

8. Michael Sweeney +12.785

9. Ian Hutchinson +13.011

10. Craig Neve +13.144

Richard Petrie
BBC Sport at the North West 200

It's Richard Cooper who is giving chase to Davey Todd out on the circuit but it's the diminutive Cooper who has a slender advantage over his compatriot so far on the timesheets.

Todd of course has three Supersport victories to his name in this class while Cooper is aiming for a maiden 600cc win after taking four Supertwins triumphs over the last few years.

Cooper, the fastest ever newcomer at the event in 2019, warmed up for the North West by twice finishing second in the new National Sportbike championship race at Oulton Park over the weekend.

Davey Todd and Richard Cooper come across the line almost tied together. Todd was top for the briefest of margins but Cooper hit back to lead the way by 0.815 seconds.

They are well clear of the rest of the pack. Impressive stuff from the leading two so far.

Lee Johnston
Five-time winner at the NW200

Richard Cooper is a very, very tidy rider.

You have to remember he has won British Superbike races before and his ability is very high.

Richard Cooper, who has said he wants to win all four Supersport and Supertwin races this year, has extended his margin to 0.952 seconds.

Mike Browne is third, five seconds back, while Peter Hickman, Paul Jordan and Adam McLean round out the top six.

The first Supersport laps are in and it's tiiightt.

Richard Cooper leads the way by just 0.144 seconds over Davey Todd. Wow.

It's early days as a lot of these guys feel their way into things.

Mike Browne is an early third ahead of Paul Jordan, Adam McClean and Peter Hickman.

Richard Petrie
BBC Sport at the North West 200

We have an interesting range of manufacturers represented in these Supersport races.

The more traditional four-stroke Yamahas, Hondas and Kawasakis up against the 765 Triumphs, which are becoming more popular with the riders, and the Ducati being campaigned by Davey Todd.

Alastair Seeley took second in the middleweight class on a Ducati 12 months ago in the PowerToolMate colours. Will Todd better that performance for the English team this time round?

The Supersport bikes are out on the circuit!

This class has been notoriously close in recent years, so let's hope we're in for more of the same.

Glenn Irwin's crew chief Ryan Rainey speaking to BBC Sport NI:

"It's a massive improvement from last year's first ride so we're happy that the bike was stable and going in a straight line which is the main thing round here.

"We rocked up at Oulton and got back to what we know and the whole team got together and did the treble so couldn't he happier with that.

"Glenn is on a high and he is the man to beat."

Lee Johnston
Five-time winner at the NW200

A good thing about the Davey Todd and Glenn Irwin battle is they are both are the same brand of tyre so there is going to be nothing at the end that he had this or he had that.

Michael Dunlop and Pete [Hickman] are on different brands and then Dean Harrison is on the same brand as the first two so it will be interesting.

Next up, it's the Supersport machines that will be hitting the circuit.

Just a reminder, if you are viewing outside of the UK, click here to watch the stream of today's practice sessions.

Lee Johnston
Five-time winner at the NW200

Out of the top three, Michael Dunlop will be the least bothered about who will finish Day One on top, he doesn't need it for any other reason.

Glenn [Irwin] and Davey [Todd] are both in big teams who want the headlines and the press on the first day, so the pressure is on.

Here are the top 10 from the opening Superbike session. It's Glenn Irwin's final flying lap which put him top of the times, but Davey Todd isn't far behind!

1. Glenn Irwin 4:18.553

2. Davey Todd +1.357

3. Michael Dunlop +4.261

4. Peter Hickman +6.470

5. Dean Harrison +6.666

6. Ian Hutchinson +10.629

7. John McGuinness +11.153

8. James Hillier +13.461

9. Erno Kostamo +13.929

10. Conor Cummins +14.371

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Steve Parrish
BBC Sport NI commentator

Very impressive from Davey Todd.

Davey didn't reach his full potential here last year, he had some tyre issues and same at the TT. He comes here off the back of wins and he is absolutely flying and loving the bike out there.

Richard Petrie
BBC Sport at the North West 200

Davey Todd has started the season in brilliant form and he has carried that into the first practice session here at the North West.

A second and a third place in the Supersport class at the British championship round at Navarra was followed by a start-to-finish success in the National Superstock race at Oulton Park on Monday.

Ten of his 14 international road race rostrums have come here over the Triangle circuit - including three victories in the Supersport class.

Few would bet against him adding to that winning NW200 tally this week.

Jenny Tinmouth
Fastest woman around the IOM TT

You put Richard Cooper on anything and he is a winner, he is an unbelievable rider.

It's good for the Championship and for everyone to have him in the class as he is a really good teacher as well so for the upcoming riders he is one to go to and he is fantastic.

Adam McLean speaking to BBC Sport NI:

"We had a small technical difficultly and I had to pull in and get that sorted.

"But it's dead on and it's good to get out. The last time I was on the Superbike was this time last year and the time before that was here the year before so it's like a yearly reunion with the Superbikes!

"It's good to get out and get a feel of the track and some track-time and hopefully we can get out again at the tail end of this session.

"I'm quietly confident with my 600, I think it's good. My Supertwin juice is a little bit disappointing speed wise but again we don't know until we get out there and see but I'm hoping to not be far away."