Summary

  • Alastair Seeley wins Supersport opener

  • Ryan Farquhar takes Supertwins victory

  • Superstock race stopped after crash

  1. Good Sportspublished at 14:00 British Summer Time 14 May 2015

    The top six times in Thursday's Supersport qualifying

    1. Alastair Seeley (Suzuki) 116.36

    2. Bruce Anstey (Honda) 116.07

    3. William Dunlop (Yamaha) 115.50

    4. Glenn Irwin (Kawasaki) 115.33

    5. John McGuinness (Honda) 115.06

    6. Gary Johnson (Yamaha) 114.87

  2. That's incredible!published at 13:48 British Summer Time 14 May 2015

    William Dunlop is gingerly getting on to his Tyco BMW for the Superbike session.

    The 29-year-old, who won in this category at last year's North West, was injured in an accident in Supersport qualifying earlier today.

    He said he might not be able to race tonight - but here he is already back on the track.

    They're a tough bunch, these road racers.

    "I want to try to put in a time for Saturday," he tells Larry Carter on the grid.

    "Tonight might still be a bit of an ask. I don't feel too bad sitting here but we will see what happens.

    "I haven't broken anything and that is the main thing.

    "I want to get a feel for the bike because we have not really had a dry run on it."

  3. Postpublished at 13:41 British Summer Time 14 May 2015

    Phillip McCallen
    11-times TT winner

    Alastair Seeley has stamped his authority on the Supersport class, but he is not going to get it easy in tonight's race.

    "Bruce Anstey in second and Michael Dunlop on a brand new bike will be in second place on the grid.

    "Glenn Irwin is going to be one of the best newcomers. He is getting the track right and will be in the hunt tonight."

  4. Quick questionpublished at 13:19 British Summer Time 14 May 2015

    As practice gets near to a conclusion, how about casting a vote in our North West 200 poll.

    The question is, which rider will win tonight's Supersport race?

    Use the voting buttons, and if you want the terms and conditions, handily they are here

  5. Red flagpublished at 12:50 British Summer Time 14 May 2015

    The Supersport session is temporarily halted after William Dunlop comes off his Tyco BMW bike at York Corner. The local rider limps away to get treatment. Question is, will he be fit for tonight's racing action?

    "I'm not too bad and am lucky I did not do more damage," he tells Stephen Watson.

    "I might have to rest for Saturday if I'm not up to racing tonight."

  6. Postpublished at 12:28 British Summer Time 14 May 2015

    Phillip McCallen
    11-times TT winner

    "Guy Martin is under pressure - he's doing movies, is tipped to be on Top Gear and seems to be on every TV channel.

    "I think he is frustrated because things have not been going his way.

    "He is trying hard but he will have to settle, focus and get into the right frame of mind."

  7. Talking Stockspublished at 12:17 British Summer Time 14 May 2015

    Top six in Thursday's Superstock qualifying session

    1. Alastair Seeley (BMW) 120.19

    2. Michael Dunlop (Yamaha) 119.86

    3. Lee Johnston (BMW) 118.27

    4. Martin Jessopp (BMW) 118.19

    5. Horst Saiger (Kawasaki) 117.49

    6. Dean Harrison (Yamaha) 117.09

  8. Join the debate at #NorthWest200published at 12:09 British Summer Time 14 May 2015

    TomBoyNI: @BBC_NI_Bikes #guymartin bored stiff at #nw200 'no interest!' Oh my, this could be the end for #guymartin at the northwest @BBCSPORTNI

  9. Guy lets flypublished at 12:06 British Summer Time 14 May 2015

    Guy Martin is seeking his first win at the North West 200Image source, Press Eye
    Image caption,

    England's Guy Martin is seeking his first win at the North West 200

    Everyone is having a great time at the North West 200 apart from, it seems, colourful competitor Guy Martin.

    The outspoken Lincolnshire racer has a rant on the BBC about the chicanes on the Triangle circuit, declaring himself "bored to the back teeth" during practice for the Superstocks.

  10. Join the debate at #NorthWest200published at 12:00 British Summer Time 14 May 2015

    Gail Jeffreys: @BBC_NI_Bikes @northwest200 Thank you to the lovely person who handed my purse in! Bikers are the best people you could meet!

  11. Hillier confidentpublished at 11:49 British Summer Time 14 May 2015

    Hampshire's James Hillier is confident he can become the first English winner of a Supertwins race at the North West. He was fastest in Tuesday's practice and will be on the front row after another good showing on Thursday morning.

    Asked if he can end Northern Ireland riders' domination of the Supertwins class, he said: "I hope so, I'll be trying that's for sure.

    "There is no reason why we can't. Obviously Ryan (Farquhar) and Jeremy (McWilliams) will be there or thereabouts so it's about slipstreaming and planning your race. I have to use my head."

  12. Get Involvedpublished at 11:25 British Summer Time 14 May 2015

    Joel Taggart
    BBC Sport NI

    Joel Taggart: After two sessions for Supertwins I make it front row will be - Farquhar, Hillier & Jessopp. Row 2 Hamilton, McWilliams & Dunlop @BBC_NI_Bikes

  13. Join the debate at #NorthWest200published at 11:17 British Summer Time 14 May 2015

    Richard Jones: I'm listening to you whilst working in Cardiff can you give a shout out to Aberdare local boy number 25 Mathew Rees

    You can get in touch at @BBC_NI_Bikes or using the hashtag #NorthWest200 - or pop on to the BBC Sport NI Facebook page., external

  14. Join the debate at #NorthWest200published at 11:17 British Summer Time 14 May 2015

    Barry Clarke: Watching from a very wet Heathrow, great coverage from the team.

  15. It's Twinspublished at 11:16 British Summer Time 14 May 2015

    Dungannon's Ryan Farquhar will be on pole position for Thursday's Supertwin raceImage source, Press Eye
    Image caption,

    Dungannon's Ryan Farquhar will be on pole position for Thursday's Supertwin race

    Final qualifying for the Supertwins

    1. Ryan Farquhar 106.53mph

    2. Martin Jessopp 105.93

    3. James Hillier 105.74

    4. Jeremy McWilliams 105.68

    5. Jamie Hamilton 104.85

    6. Glenn Irwin 104.79

    All on Kawasaki machinery

  16. Postpublished at 11:07 British Summer Time 14 May 2015

    Veteran racer, if he doesn't mind me calling him that, Ryan Farquhar is catching the eye in the Supertwins. He quit racing a few years ago but made an impressive comeback last year. Flying Ryan tops today's qualifying times with an average lap speed of 106.536mph.

    "I am leaner and fitter and I certainly have the experience. I think I am back to where I left off in 2012," said the 39-year-old KMR Kawasaki team boss.

    "It is a bit breezy out there, but everything is going good. I have done a lot of development work on the bike and it is running spot on."

    So Dungannon man Farquhar is on pole for the Twins and looking for his fifth career win at the North West 200.

  17. Get Involvedpublished at 10:50 British Summer Time 14 May 2015

    @Billyartist painting Joey Dunlop while listening to #NorthWest200 practiceImage source, @Billyartist

    Billyartist: in my studio with the @northwest200 via @BBC_NI_Bikes working on #JoeyDunlop #oilpainting

    Nice work, Billy

    You can get in touch at #NorthWest200 or pop on to the BBC Sport NI Facebook page., external

  18. The fast showpublished at 10:47 British Summer Time 14 May 2015

    The best ever lap speeds at the North WestImage source, Press Eye
    Image caption,

    The best ever lap speeds at the North West

  19. Back in actionpublished at 10:43 British Summer Time 14 May 2015

    Practice has resumed with the Supertwins out on the 8.9-mile circuit.

    Among the familiar names in action are Jeremy McWilliams, Ryan Farquhar, Martin Jessopp and British Supersport title contender Glenn Irwin.

  20. Join the debate at #NorthWest200published at 10:23 British Summer Time 14 May 2015

    Stephen Watson
    BBC Sport NI

    We're live on the BBC sports website with all the practice from the @northwest200 !

    You can get in touch at #NorthWest200 or pop on to the BBC Sport NI Facebook page.