Keith Huewen
BBC Sport NI commentator

We are lucky with the weather today, but we have been really unlucky with the red flags so far.

Two in the Superbike with the Superbike called short in the end and now this session.

Kawasaki- CD Racing By MSS Performance's Alistair Seeley speaking on BBC iPlayer: "I'm not sure why red flags were put out but we had an issue anyway.

"There was a cover on the visor that we forgot to take off which is a bit of a schoolboy error.

"You have to do and try everything once, but hopefully we won't do that again.

"My fault, probably I should have shut the visor before I left to make sure I could see vision.

Richard Petrie
BBC Sport at the North West 200

It's been a frustrating day so far for the race organisers at the North West 200 as the red flags have come out for the third time today.

With the schedule already well behind and the roads having to be open by 15:00 BST there will be some pressure to complete today's four sessions now.

The weather may well be on our side, but events are conspiring to make things very challenging.

NW200 Race Director Mervyn White MBE speaking on BBC iPlayer: "We have been working for many months to carry out a number of improvements. You will see a few of them around the start area itself.

"We did a lot of resurfacing and we have the 19 countries represented which is really good. They're coming from as far away as America and New Zealand and are all really good top class competitors."

Image source, Pacemaker

It's time for the 600cc machines to hit the Triangle, but who should you be keeping an eye on?

Davey Todd and Richard Cooper shared a win apiece in last year's two Supersport races, while you can never discount Alastair Seeley.

Michael Dunlop was consistent with two third-place finishes last year and will look to go two steps higher on the podium - this time on a Ducati.

2024 Supersport race one - 1 Richard Cooper; 2 Peter Hickman; 3 Michael Dunlop

2024 Supersport race two - 1 Davey Todd; 2 Richard Cooper; 3 Michael Dunlop

Alastair Seeley leads the pack away for Supersport qualifying.

The riders will be hoping for a smooth session after the two oil spills in Superbike qualifying.

Alastair Seeley, returning to the North West 200 after missing 2024, speaking on BBC iPlayer: "I am looking for the 30th win and I have seven cracks at the whip. I have two Supersport, two Superstock and three in the Superbike.

"The first few laps were about blowing the cobwebs away and getting use to the speed again."

Image source, Pacemaker

Philip McCallen
11-time race winner on the BBC Sport website

Speaking about the Joey Dunlop stickers on each of the NW200 Bikes. It has been 25 years since the road racing legend passed away:

I think it is absolutely brilliant that it is happening. There is not one rider that I have heard that is not proud to have a Joey Dunlop sticker on his bike and that is amazing.

I had a good relationship with Joey and I still have a good relationship with his family, they are all wonderful people.

When he was here, we knew how great he was but when he was no longer with us, he rose even further to the top.

Everyone just loved Joey Dunlop.

Image source, BBC Sport

Peter Hickman sets the fastest time in an opening North West 200 Superbike qualifying session which saw two red-flag stoppages because of oil deposits on the track.

MLAV Racing's Ian Hutchinson speaking on BBC iPlayer: "I have hit the ground running with being comfortable in the bike and a bit of confidence which I need. Hopefully it carries on as it is.

"It has been a mental two weeks. The easy job would have been to get the old bike and we could have been alright all winter and we could have ridden it.

"However, we have ridden nothing and waited on the bike. It has been hard to get bits for, but it will pay off in the end."

Jackson Honda Racing's Josh Brookes speaking on BBC iPlayer: "I didn't realise that an Australian hadn't won the North West 200 before.

"I came close in my opening year, I got second, so maybe we can do better this weekend.

"I haven't had the chance to feel what the bike is fully capable of still, we are still dialing a few things out but that is pretty normal for the opening day."

Keith Huewen
BBC Sport NI commentator

I am looking forward to Supersport session.

The Supersport for me is an ideal road circuit type motorbike. It is the kind of bike that you can stop and steer and they go reasonably well in a straight line.

The Chawke brothers - James and Liam - are now regulars on the north coast.

It's been a strong start for James, who recorded his first 200mph down the speedtrap on his way to 26th place.

Richard Cooper, who won five North West 200 races, told BBC Radio Foyle’s North West Today the north coast “is a pretty special place”.

“I’m very much looking forward to this weeks challenge,” he said. “Racing is never easy but I hope we can add some podiums.

"Road racing has to be treated with respect and enjoyed. That’s what leads to success."

Image source, Pacemaker

Burrows Engineering/ RK Racing's Conor Cummins speaking on BBC iPlayer: "I am putting the past behind me. I have a clean slate and I am ready to get going again.

"It is a great team, they are great bikes and I am really excited, I have a spring back in my step again.

"We have had a few podiums here before and I want to do better."

Northern Ireland rider Adam McClean speaking on BBC iPlayer: "I got a couple of laps in before the red flag came out and I had actually just pulled in before the flag went out to make a couple of set-up changes.

"It's tricky because I haven't had the bike on a public road before, you do your testing a short circuits which is a bit different."

Erno Kostamo, from Finland, speaking on BBC iPlayer after posting the fifth-fastest time in Superbike qualifying: "It was a very good first practice session to finish fifth.

"We had a little technical difficulty at the start of the session, but after that everything went well and it is all going according to plan."

Northern Ireland rider Paul Jordan speaking on BBC iPlayer: "I'm just enjoying myself.

"The team has put an amazing bike under me and an amazing crew around me. I am really grateful that I am in this position and I have put a hard winter in so hopefully it pays off.

"In my head I know what can do and I just have to start believing in myself and I believe I can compete with these boys.

"Once I believe, they'll know I am here."

Image source, Pacemaker

Honda Racing UK's Dean Harrison speaking on BBC iPlayer: "It was a good start.

"There is quite a lot of traffic out there as the grid is bigger than last year, so it's just trying to find a little bit of space

"The lads have given us a good slipstream down towards the University so that helped that top speed a little bit.

"The Superbike feels good straight off the bat really. It has some power in it and I'm just trying to make it a little bit easier to ride."