Peter Hickman leapfrogs Michael Dunlop and James Hillier to move second in the Superstock leaderboard at 124.402mph, just 0.25 seconds behind the speed set by pacesetter Todd (124.524).

Lee Johnston
Five-time winner at the NW200

It's a bit of pressure on this team [Aprilia] now because obviously Mike has proven that he is quick enough, he is running in the top three in the Supersport class and he has the pace.

It'll be interesting to see what he can do on the Aprilia as the rider has proven himself already.

Barry Graham speaking to BBC Sport NI:

"It's been ok today from the incident we had yesterday at the Millroad roundabout, I had a bit of a mishap going in there and red flagged the race.

"I was coming in a bit hot and I braked and I had the oil cooler on and the front wheel hit the oil cooler and that skidded me into the roundabout, but everyone was good and the bike is fixed up and we went out and qualified in ninth there."

Michael Dunlop hammers past the finish line to go second in today's leaderboard.

His lap speed was 122.576mph, with James Hiller lapping at 122.177 to occupy third spot at present.

Becca Keegan
BBC Sport NI at the North West 200

The North West 200 brings fans, young and old, to the north coast.

Are these kids some stars of the future?

Image source, BBC Sport

His first flying lap and Davey Todd has already beaten the speed he set in first qualifying with 124.524mph [4:19.324].

That's an unofficial lap record for the class, bettering the 124.484 [4:19.407] recorded by Alastair Seeley in 2023.

What a sensational start to this practice run from the Yorkshireman!

Paul Jordan speaking to BBC Sport NI:

"It's going really well. We're making huge steps in the big bike and that was the main aim going into this week and everytime we're going out, we're chipping away.

"That Superbike session and I got stuck behind John McGuinness and what you couldn't learn off that man is not worth knowing.

"So hopefully I can do that again and get stuck in behind him and keep chipping away at those lap times."

Davey Todd led the timesheets on his Milwaukee BMW by TAS Racing in the first Superstock qualifying session on Wednesday at 123.752mph so that is the benchmark for the competitors to beat today.

The TAS Racing team, run by father and son Hector and Philip Neill, have won 28 North West races in their various guises over the years, so Todd will aim to add to that tally.

Alastair Seeley has secured 16 of those victories for the outfit, Bruce Anstey has achieved eight, with William Dunlop, Adrian Archibald, Ian Lougher and Ian Hutchinson winning one apiece.

Nathan Harrison speaking to BBC Sport NI:

"I'm building up, I haven't been on the bike too much in the last seven /eight weeks before I came back here as I as I had a little tip off in Spain.

"Not ideal but I'm using it, last year we didn't get through the year and all of that, so basically I'm trying to be a bit more wise and take the youth out of my head and ride round and get time on the bike and not do anything silly."

The Superstocks are racing off the line for their qualifying session.

The pace should be hot again in this practice...

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI at the North West 200

It's a landmark year for John McGuinness as he celebrates the 30th anniversary of his first North West 200 start, which came way back in 1994.

He may now be 52, but McPint wasn't hanging about yesterday and was seventh in Superbike qualifying and an impressive fifth in Superstock qualifying.

He's wearing a special helmet to mark the occasion, which is a nice touch from a classy rider.

Image source, BBC Sport

Today's truncated Supersport session leaves us with this final top six leaderboard for the two 600cc races.

1 Richard Cooper (Yamaha) 118.015mph

2 Davey Todd (Ducati) 117.723

3 Mike Browne (Yamaha) 116.534

4 Michael Dunlop (Triumph) 116.461

5 Adam McLean (Kawasaki) 115.700

6 Paul Jordan (Honda) 115.272

Image source, Pacemaker Press

The Superstocks have been called to the grid so it appears that is that for the Supersports today....we're back in 1000cc class mode...

John McGuinness MBE speaking to BBC Sport NI:

"That session was good, a little touch tricky the first couple of laps trying to go through those damp patches through the chicanes.

"But looking at Glenn [Irwin's] time there was no problem with the track! 4.16 is absolutely insane speed, but I'm happy."

Richard Cooper speaking to BBC Sport NI:

"I didn't realise I was fastest to be fair, I was just trying to get as many laps as possible to get a feel for the bike and we are still making some changes.

"I feel like I have to ride a little different because of the competition I am up against and we have to make our bike work in different places that it normally wouldn't have to.

"But it's feeling good we're going to make a small change now, we're going to stay with the same tyres as I think it's important that we have a tyre for the six lap race."

Christian Elkin speaking to BBC Sport NI:

"It's going to be very tough with the change of the rules in the Supertwin, we are back to 650 with the Kawasaki against 700s so we're going to struggle.

"We will be somewhere in the top five and if things go our way we will get a podium."

There were 11 minutes remaining of this session when the red flags came out for what the organisers described as "a racing incident".

A 15-minute delay has been announced - as soon as we hear any confirmed news of whether there will be a potential restart we will let you know.

The Supersport session has been brought to a premature halt because the red flags have gone out around the circuit.

Image source, BBC Sport