Jordan and Browne take Friday Armoy road race wins
Mike Browne was victorious in Friday evening's Supersport race one at Armoy
- Published
Paul Jordan and Mike Browne took victories in Friday evening's opening two events at the Armoy road races.
Northern Ireland rider Jordan overhauled early leader Michael Sweeney to win the seven-lap Supertwins race one by 5.5 seconds from the Republic of Ireland competitor, with both of the top two riding Aprilia machines.
Sweeney had led during the early part of the race but Jordan made his move on the approach to Armoy village on lap three and extended his advantage at the front with the help of a new class lap record of 100.694mph on his fourth lap, eclipsing Jamie Coward's one-year-old benchmark.
For Jordan, who was also a Twins race winner at the North West 200 in May, it was a second victory of his career at the Armoy meeting, the Magherafelt man having previously been successful in a Supersport outing back in 2018.
Joe Yeardsley overtook Barry Furber on the final circuit to claim the final podium spot as Joey Thompson and Marcus Simpson completed the top six.
Browne repeated his triumph in last year's Supersport race one by taking a dominant win in this year's equivalent.
Riding his BPE by Russell Racing Yamaha, the Cork rider consolidated his position at the front throughout and had 6.4 seconds to spare over runner-up Sweeney at the chequered flag.
Third-placed finisher, Jackson Racing pilot Jordan, was a similar margin behind Sweeney as he finished in third position, with Conor Cummins taking fourth place on the Burrows Engineering/RK Racing Ducati.
Coward and event newcomer and former BSB rider Franco Bourne rounded out the top six.
Browne produced the fastest lap of the race at 104.074mph on his fifth circuit as he collected his fifth Armoy race win to add to his three Moto3 victories and that 2024 Supersport success.
Earlier in the day, Jordan topped qualifying for Saturday's Open and 'Race of Legends' events by recording a lap speed of 106.324mph on his Jackson Honda.
Browne was second quickest on another Honda at 106.087, followed by Manxman Cummins on a BMW with 105.249.
Browne was fastest in Supersport qualifying on 102.018, while Jordan headed the Supertwin session with 100.577.
Twelve further races are scheduled to take place on Saturday, with roads closing around the three-mile circuit at 09:00 BST.
Saturday's racing will be streamed live on BBC iPlayer and worldwide on the BBC Sport website.
Paul Jordan led home Michael Sweeney in Friday's Supertwin race
Friday race results
Supertwin race one - 1 Paul Jordan (Aprilia); 2 Michael Sweeney (Aprilia); 3 Joe Yeardsley (Aprilia); 4 Barry Furber (Yamaha); 5 Joey Thompson (Aprilia)
Fastest lap and new lap record - Paul Jordan, 100.694mph
Supersport race one - 1 Mike Browne (Yamaha); 2 Michael Sweeney (Yamaha); 3 Paul Jordan (Honda); 4 Conor Cummins (Ducati); 5 Jamie Coward (Triumph)
Fastest lap - Mike Browne, 104.074mph
Qualifying leaderboards
Open Superbike - 1 Paul Jordan (Honda) 106.324mph
2 Mike Browne (Honda) 106.087
3 Conor Cummins (BMW) 105.249
4 Michael Sweeney (BMW) 104.676
5 Jamie Coward (BMW) 104.311
6 Phil Crowe (BMW) 103.843
Supersport - 1 Mike Browne (Yamaha) 102.018mph
2 Conor Cummins (Ducati) 101.911
3 Paul Jordan (Honda) 101.573
4 Dominic Herbertson (Ducati) 101.539
5 Michael Sweeney (Yamaha) 101.214
6 Jamie Coward (Triumph) 99.797
Supertwins - 1 Paul Jordan (Aprilia) 100.577mph
2 Michael Sweeney (Aprilia) 98.378
3 Barry Furber (Yamaha) 97.968
4 Franco Bourne (Kawasaki) 97.707
5 Joey Thompson (Aprilia) 97.559
6 Jamie Coward (Kawasaki) 97.082