After a frantic couple of laps, this has settled down a bit with Irwin tucked in behind Todd on the run to Portrush.

Irwin shadows Todd through Station corner. Is there some tyre saving going on?

Behind the leading pack, it's another superb ride from Finland's Erno Kostamo, who is in sixth place.

Steve Parrish
BBC Sport NI commentator

I think Glenn [Irwin] has just settled into a really nice pace.

It's still Todd from Irwin as they flash over the line just 0.296 seconds.

Dunlop is third but has the penalty, so that puts Hickman into third!

Dunlop is classified as fourth with a big margin to Michael Rutter behind, so he can still get on the rostrum if he can build a buffer to Hickman!

Lee Johnston
Five-time winner at the NW200

Peter [Hickman] normally takes a lap to get going, so this could turn into another battle for first, second and third position.

Irwin backs off into Metropole, is he shaping up for a move into Juniper?

That's where he made it stick on Thursday!

Todd leads into Mather's Cross!

Now it's Irwin's turn to hunt down his rival!

Todd is right on Irwin's tail through Station corner. Will he make his move?

Dunlop has picked up a 10-second penalty for running through Magherabuoy, so he's classified as eighth despite being third on the road.

Lee Johnston
Five-time winner at the NW200

Michael [Dunlop] is really cautious and knows that he needs to latch onto these guys early on and he was doing that. He had just tried to pinch an inch.

Irwin leads Todd by just 0.155 seconds!

Dean Harrison pulls into the pits!

Just like Thursday, it's Irwin and Todd sprinting away.

Unlike Thursday, it's Irwin who leads Todd in the early stages!

We're onto the coast road and Irwin holds his lead into Juniper!

Dunlop runs straight on at Magherabuoy!

Is that the end of his challenge?

Irwin still leads from Todd into Portrush!

Steve Parrish
BBC Sport NI commentator

Maybe just a bit cautious from Glenn Irwin with that new brand new rear tyre, but I don't think he'll be worried about that because we know how fast he is.

Irwin holds the lead into Mather's Cross, and Dunlop is still third, just ahead of Dean Harrison.

Who's going to have it into University? Irwin flies up the inside! Big move early on!

Todd has to slot in behind!

Todd gets past Irwin out of York! He leads into Mill Road!

Michael Dunlop is right with them this time!

Glenn Irwin gets the hole shot ahead of Todd and Dunlop!

Look to the lights, the engine notes rise......AND WE'RE RACING!

Irwin, Todd or someone else? Who has this one?

Philip McCallen
11-time race winner at the NW200

I think it depends on what he wants. We know Michael [Dunlop] if he wants it, he goes for it and if Michael doesn't want it, he doesn't go for it.

This is a very important race for him, the North West is huge for him and Glenn Irwin representing our little home country.

If he gets a good start, as he won't want to fight through the field to get to the front, but if he gets up with those boys I think he will be very, very hard to shake off.

The buzzer sounds. 'Clear the grid, please. Clear the grid' rings out.

It's nearly time to go racing!