Alastair Seeley cruises to a Supersport victory and the 'Wee Wizard' moves on to 13 North West wins, just two behind the record held by Robert Dunlop.

Michael Dunlop comes in second with Lee Johnston completing the podium.

Steve Parrish
BBC motorcycling commentator

"Alastair Seeley has got so much time in hand now. Something like three seconds."

Alastair Seeley begins to pull clear going into the final lap, easing away from Michael Dunlop.

There's disappointment for Glenn Irwin as his race ends because of a mechanical problem on lap two. The 25-year-old was in with a great chance of securing a first victory on his North West debut.

It's now a head-to-head between Alastair Seeley and Michael Dunlop.

Steve Parrish
BBC motorcycling commentator

"Glenn Irwin has really nailed this track."

Alastair Seeley may have made a poor start but he has quickly moved through the field and is battling for the lead on lap one with fellow Carrickfergus rider Glenn Irwin.

Michael Dunlop is close behind in third with Bruce Anstey fourth.

It's a Carrickfergus one-two late in the first lap of the opening Supersport race as favourite Alastair Seeley moves ahead of newcomer Glenn Irwin, who made a magnificent start.

The bikes thunder away from the start line and they get away cleanly in the six-lap Supersport race with Glenn Irwin storming to the front while pole-setter Alastair Seeley is down in seventh.

Seeley topped your vote for the Supersport winner with 37.3% followed by Michael Dunlop on 21.3% and his brother William on 11.8%.

PMcC: Got the radio on the office whilst I finish up cannot wait for this race to start! Watch out for the bearded Kiwi!!

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William Dunlop will be racing in the opening Supersport race despite his crash in qualifying on Thursday afternoon.

"I didn't think I would be racing but the boys have put in so much work with the bikes, I thought I better give it a go," said the Ballymoney man.

"It feels a good bit better. It's just a little bit sore when I stick my left leg out on the bike."

New Zealand rider Bruce Anstey is looking very relaxed as he pulls a face behind Phillip McCallen who is live on BBC Northern Ireland's online coverage. Bruce will be aiming for his 11th career North West 200 win when the Supersport race starts shortly.

You've just 10 minutes to vote on the winner of tonight's Supersport race!

A bit of news to bring you - English rider James Cowton will not race tonight after suffering a suspected dislocated shoulder in a crash during Supertwins qualifying earlier today.

Antonio Maeso: @BBC_NI_Bikes A big greeting 4 all of u at the @northwest200 from Spain. Wishing to be there.

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Welcome back to our coverage of the North West 200. It promises to be a cracking evening of action with the opening three races of this year's meeting.

The weather is set fair on the north coast and we get under way at 18:00 BST with the Supersport race, followed by the Supertwins and Superstock classes.

That brings the action to an end for a few hours, but our live video and audio streams will be back at 17:45 BST for tonight's three races.

They are the Supersport, Supertwins and Supersport classes.

The top six in the Superbikes

1. Alastair Seeley (BMW) 121.55mph

2. Lee Johnston (BMW) 120.43

3. John McGuinness (Honda) 120.00

4. Bruce Anstey (Honda) 119.68

5. William Dunlop (BMW) 119.68

6. Michael Rutter (BMW) 119.06

The red flags are out again, with just 10 minutes left in the Superbike practice.

There will not be time for the bikes to get out again, so that is it until tonight's three races.

The red flag was not for a racing accident, but to allow the fire brigade access to attend an unrelated emergency.

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The final practice session is for the Superbikes and, because of earlier hold-ups in the schedule, has been reduced to a 35-minute run.

That will be it until the serious racing gets under way tonight at 17:45 BST.

The first race is the Supersport and, before the start, we will reveal the result of our poll on who you think will take the chequered flag.