North West 200 Thursday practice session as it happened

Summary

Glenn Irwin clinches Superbike pole
Alastair Seeley leads Superstock and Supersport qualifiers
Martin Jessopp tops Supertwin times
Three races on Thursday evening
Main five-race schedule on Saturday
Contact commentators - @BBC_Bikes
Email: nw200@bbc.co.uk

Live Reporting

Irwin snatches Superbike polepublished at 14:59 British Summer Time 17 May 2018
North West 200 practice
Glenn Irwin pips Alastair Seeley in qualifying for the Superbike class at the NW200.
Irwin won a thrilling duel against fellow Carrickfergus man Seeley at last year's North West and we could be in for more drama in Saturday's two Superbike contests.
Dean Harrison was second-fastest in practice, followed by Michael Dunlop and Seeley.
Image source, BBC Sport
Image caption,
Superbike timings from Thursday's practice sessions
Red flagpublished at 13:55 British Summer Time 17 May 2018
North West 200 practice
The Superbike session is held up because of an oil spill on the course.
Second pole for Seeleypublished at 13:09 British Summer Time 17 May 2018
North West 200 practice
Alastair Seeley grabs another pole position - this time in the Supersport class.
The Sports are the opening race on Thursday evening and they also open proceedings for main race day on Saturday.
Image source, BBC Sport
Image caption,
The top six in Supersport
Enjoying the viewpublished at 12:19 British Summer Time 17 May 2018
Road racing fans are enjoying the weather as well as watching high-speed practice rounds here.
Tonight, thousands will be taking up vantage points around the 8.9-mile circuit for the opening three races of the 2018 international road racing festival.
Image source, Pacemaker
Image caption,
Spectators at Thursday's practice session for the North West 200 races
Seeley seeks to add to wins recordpublished at 11:53 British Summer Time 17 May 2018
North West 200 practice
Northern Ireland's Alastair Seeley holds the record for wins at the North West 200 - and the wee wizard from Carrickfergus is clearly hungry to add to his remarkable tally of 21 wins around the Triangle circuit.
He claims pole position in the Superstock class with Yorkshire man Dean Harrison next best and Michael Dunlop third.
Image source, BBC Sport
Image caption,
Superstock final practice times
McLean off but unscathed in Supertwin spillpublished at 11:36 British Summer Time 17 May 2018
North West 200 practice
Kawasaki rider Adam McLean is unhurt after coming off his machine during Thursday's practice for the Supertwin class.
"On the last lap I was trying to put in a fast one and clipped a kerb at the chicane and down I went," said the 22-year-old from Tobermore.
Media caption,
Adam McLean is interviewed after his practice crash
Get Inspired: How to get into motorsportpublished at 10:56 British Summer Time 17 May 2018
Get Inspired
#GetInspired
If you like fast-paced activities that get your heart pumping and your brain working, then motorsport is for you!
It’s big business these days, thanks in no small part to the glitz and glamour of Formula 1, but if you prefer your thrills on two wheels rather than four then motorcycle events may be your best option
With several different disciplines at your disposal, such as MotoGP, Speedway, Trial Biking and motocross, you can check out MSAUK, external, the Auto-Cycle Union, external or Motorcycle Sport Scotland, external to find opportunities near you.
Media caption,
Rea aims to inspire young riders
BBC coveragepublished at 10:50 British Summer Time 17 May 2018
BBC Sport will be broadcasting action from the NW 200 throughout race week, including practice sessions and the race itself.
Thursday, 17 May
10:00-14:30 BST: NW 200 Practice – Connected TV and BBC Sport website and app.
17:30-20:45 BST: NW 200 Evening Racing – Connected TV and BBC Sport website and app.
Saturday, 19 May
North West 200 – Race Day
09:45-18:00 BST– Connected TV and BBC Sport website and app.
14:00-18:00 BST– BBC Red Button
Top twinpublished at 10:49 British Summer Time 17 May 2018
Supertwin session
Last year's Supertwin winner Martin Jessopp from England secures pole position for tonight's race.
Tobermore rider Adam McLean is second fastest.
Image source, bb
Image caption,
Thursday's practice times for the Supertwins
Bright Leepublished at 10:38 British Summer Time 17 May 2018
North West 200 practice
Quote Message
This part of Northern Ireland is beautiful when the weather is like this. Long may it continue.
Lee Johnston
Image source, Pacemaker
Image caption,
Lee Johnston set the pace in Superbike practice at the North West 200 on Tuesday
It's sunnypublished at 10:26 British Summer Time 17 May 2018
North West 200 practice
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