Davey Todd now goes top by just 0.440 seconds ahead of Glenn Irwin.

Over an 8.9 mile lap that's ridiculously close. I have a feeling that battle will continue all weekend.

Michael Rutter speaking to BBC Sport NI:

"The first two laps were okay but then it started to slow a bit and it feels like there is a fuel problem somewhere, a blockage maybe, so we are now trying to find it which is a bit annoying."

Jenny Tinmouth
Fastest woman around the IOM TT

Peter Hickman's mentality has helped him, he is relaxed and he enjoys riding his bike and that carries over to anything that he rides.

He just stays relaxed the whole time and that obviously helps with road circuits.

Glenn Irwin is back on track and is putting in faster times on his Ducati. His advantage over Davey Todd is now up to 2.666 seconds.

We posted earlier about problems for international viewers trying to watch our stream.

If you are viewing outside of the UK, click here to watch the stream of today's practice sessions.

Becca Keegan
BBC Sport NI at the North West 200

There are plenty of debriefs and discussions as the riders come into the pits for tweaks and changes.

Peter Hickman speaking to BBC Sport NI:

"I suffered a broken bone in my left hand from my first crash at Oulton Park at the weekend which is not ideal and my back and shoulder are a bit sore too.

I'm a bit second hand but I'll get on with it and be fine! I have my 765cc Triumph Supersport here and my own bike [1000cc BMW Superstock] and the little Swan Supertwin as well.

Glenn [Irwin] is not just on form but he is riding a Superbike, but you never know what is going to happen in races and you have to be in it to win it and we'll be in it so we'll see what happens!

Philip McCallen
11-time race winner at the NW200

It's going to be really interesting because I believe these Superstock bikes might just be competitive enough to beat a Superbike.

Here are the top 10 midway through the opening Superbike session.

1. Glenn Irwin 4:21.604

2. Davey Todd +1.712

3. Dean Harrison +6.328

4. Michael Dunlop +7.740

5. Peter Hickman +8.878

6. John McGuinness +9.583

7. Ian Hutchinson +11.731

8. James Hillier +11.902

9. Conor Cummins +12.196

10. Paul Jordan +12.336

Richard Petrie
BBC Sport at the North West 200

What chances a repeat of the top three finishing positions from 2023 Superbike race one in the first big bike race this year?

Twelve months ago it was Glenn Irwin who won the opener in the premier class from Davey Todd and Dean Harrison.

Those three occupy the leading three positions in qualifying so far in this opening session so could a repeat podium be on the cards come the opening four-lapper on Thursday night?

Glenn Irwin speaking to BBC Sport NI:

"The bike is more stable this year there is a new rear shock out that we have been using on and off and it's a better one going forward, with it I lose on entry but make up for it on exit and exit is really important here.

"The track is very, very dirty and when you're behind bikes it's like a fog in front of you.

"There is a lot to come and I feel good, but there is no point trying to do stuff today so I will just chip away and the guys will probably go faster than I did, but we'll see what happens."

Glenn Irwin still leads the way but Davey Todd is now just 1.7 seconds behind on his BMW.

Dean Harrison is up to third on his Honda Stocker, while Michael Dunlop and Peter Hickman round out the top five.

We posted earlier about problems for international viewers trying to watch our stream.

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

If you don't know Peter Hickman, if you have been living under a rock, he doesn't crash so this is very out of character.

Richard Petrie
BBC Sport at the North West 200

Good to see Peter Hickman featuring on the upper echelons of the leaderboard on his BMW in this opening session for the Superbikes.

The Lincolnshire rider suffered three uncharacteristic crashes in testing, qualifying and during race weekend at the British Superbikes round at Oulton Park but appears unscathed by that triple setback.

Nursing a few bumps and bruises you would think from those accidents but will his confidence have taken a blow as well I wonder.

Hickman still the lap record holder for the Triangle circuit, his average circuit of 124.799 mph remaining the benchmark from 2022.

Michael Dunlop puts in a strong lap, on only his second flying attempt, to go third behind Glenn Irwin and Davey Todd.

Peter Hickman, Dean Harrison and John McGuinness - on all Superstock bikes - complete the top six.

Jenny Tinmouth
Fastest woman around the IOM TT

Michael Dunlop is normally so in the zone but it was nice to see him so relaxed and chilled out.

His injury, hopefully it isn't going to impact him, but in his head I think he knows it isn't going to as adrenalin is a wonderful thing!

Purple sectors everywhere and Irwin's gone faster again. He's now on a 4:21.604.

Davey Todd responds with a lap of 4:25.351, but he's still 3.4 seconds down.

Jenny Tinmouth
Fastest woman around the IOM TT

The main thing for me was getting use to all the scenary all the walls, bridges and hedges and getting your mind back focused to the tarmac in front of you.

The speed as well, when you're going over 200 miles an hour you need to get your brain adjusted to that speed.

Getting your mind back into road racing is very different to short circuit.

Richard spoke about Glenn Irwin's early struggles in previous years, but there is no evidence of that so far today.

His second flying lap was 6.1 seconds faster than Davey Todd, with Peter Hickman 1.7 further back.

It's very early days, and the times will ramp up, but that's a statement of intent from Irwin.