That's the newcomer session over.

Times aren't really representative as they followed North West legends Glenn Irwin and Steve Plater around the circuit, but Barry Burrell was fastest ahead of Mitch Rees and Maurizio Bottalico.

It won't be long until the Superbikes are out on the circuit.

Larry Carter
Larry Carter at the NW200

I knew both riders very well.

Owen Jenner was the life and soul of the paddock. He never had a serious moment apart from when he was winning races and to win three British Championships by the age of 21 showed just how much potential he had. In my book, he was going to be a future Superbike rider without a shadow of a doubt.

Shane Richardson came over from New Zealand and settled in. He has battled a lot of his career with injury, but he was getting back to his normal self.

It has had an impact with us all and our thoughts are with everyone involved.

Lee Johnston and Larry Carter pay tribute to Owen Jenner and Shane Richardson, who were killed in a crash during a British Supersport race at Oulton Park on Monday.

Jackson Racing's Josh Brookes speaking to BBC Sport NI: "There are big changes for this year, I'm now on a Honda.

"I have friendships within the team so it's not completely new but it will be the first time for me on a Honda at the North West 200.

"The bike is not exactly my Superbike spec, but it's not a Superstock bike either."

Steve Parrish
BBC Sport NI commentator

Being a new rider at the North West 200, the on board videos are so, so good.

It's almost like being on a simulator and you can really get to know the circuit.

Richard Petrie
BBC Sport at the North West 200

New Zealand newcomer Mitch Rees is making his mark early on in this opening practice session for newcomers.

The Kiwi has enjoyed plenty of success in his homeland as a three-time New Zealand Superbike champion and four-time Suzuki Series series holder but today represents his first time competing on the ultra-fast straights here at the North West 200 Triangle circuit.

Rees has formerly locked horns with Peter Hickman and Davey Todd in his native country - and beaten them - but this week will be all a learning experience for the 32-year-old.

Philip McCallen
11-time race winner at the NW200

This year Michael Dunlop has been riding a lot so far, his bikes are all in good shape and he is in good shape.

The rest of the field will be watching out for Michael Dunlop this year.

Here's a reminder of the North West 200 coverage this week.

Image source, BBC Sport

Philip McCallen
11-time race winner at the NW200

The most important thing to the North West 200 is the weather.

This is the first time in years that we have had a weather forecast of a dry practice and a dry race.

It's a rare sight at the North West 200 - but just look at that forecast!

Image source, Barra Best

And we're under way! The Newcomers are first out on track to get their first look at the Triangle Circuit.

Don't forget, you can watch it live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.

Richard Petrie
BBC Sport at the North West 200

There is always a special sense of anticipation on the first morning of practice for the North West 200.

All the more so when the sun is shining and conditions are perfect around the Triangle circuit.

Spectators have been gathering to book their preferred vantage point from early this morning, with the best spots more amenable today than when the vast crowds arrive for the racing days on Thursday and Saturday.

First up this morning we have the newcomers, with some of the more notable riders making their bow including former British Superbike rider Barry Burrell and 2023 Senior Manx Grand Prix winner Joe Yeardsley.

Next out will be the Superbikes for their session, then the Supersports, Superstocks and Supertwins.

Let the action begin...

It's the first day of action at the North West 200, with four practice sessions scheduled for throughout the day.

Before the timed action begins, the newcomers will get to hit the Triangle Circuit in an acclimatisation session.

The Superbikes will then start doing laps in anger, followed by the Supersport machines, Superstock bikes and last, but by no means least, the Supertwins.

Session One: Newcomers

Session Two: Superbikes

Session Three: Supersport

Session Four: Superstock

Session Five: Supertwins

BBC iPlayer

BBC Sport NI will provide exclusive full live-streamed coverage of every qualifying session and every race on BBC iPlayer and worldwide on the BBC Sport website and app.

The qualifying sessions on Wednesday 7 May and Thursday 8 May will be broadcast from 10:00 BST to 14:45.

Stephen Watson will once again this year be joined on the grid by analysts Lee Johnston, Phillip McCallen and Jenny Tinmouth, with Larry Carter out and about on the grid gathering interviews and Steve Parrish and Keith Huewen in the commentary box.

There will also be full coverage of all the races on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Foyle on Thursday evening from 17:00 BST to 21:00 and on Saturday from 09:30 to 19:00, with Gavin Andrews and Orla Bannon your hosts. Radio Ulster will join the commentary from 14:00 to 16:00 on Saturday.

Chris Kinley, Larry Carter and Adrian Coates will provide commentary and analysis, with Jamie Hamilton the studio pundit.

Highlights programmes will be broadcast on BBC One NI and BBC iPlayer on Friday 9 May at 22:40, Sunday 11 May at 22:25 and Monday 12 May at 22:40, and on BBC Three on the same evenings at 23:40, 23:35 and 23:45.

BBC Newsline will be live at the event throughout the week, with extensive coverage on the BBC Sport website and BBC Sport NI's social media channels.

Image source, Pacemaker

Experienced racer John McGuinness says Owen Jenner and Shane Richardson "will never be forgotten" after Monday's fatal accident at Oulton Park.

The two riders lost their lives after an 11-bike crash in the British Supersport Championship, which was supporting the opening round of the British Superbike Championship.

McGuinness, who is a 23-time winner at the Isle of Man TT road race, said the accident was "awful" and riders who witnessed or were involved in the accident will "need an arm around them".

He added that 21-year-old Jenner, who was a three-time British Champion, and New Zealand rider Richardson, 29, "were living their dream".

"Those kids will never be forgotten and they were doing what they loved doing," McGuinness added.

"When racing's at its best it's the best thing in the world. When it's not it's pretty brutal and that was a brutal thing that happened yesterday.

"It's bad times but the racing community is strong and I've been through it so many times for so many years."

Image source, British Superbikes

You'll have more than likely seen the awful news over the weekend that Owen Jenner and Shane Richardson lost their lives in an 11-bike British Supersport accident at Oulton Park on Monday.

Jenner, 21, and Richardson, 29, were fatally injured in a "major chain reaction" incident on the first lap of the race as the riders exited turn one.

The race, the third of the weekend, was halted on the first lap, with series director Stuart Higgs later calling the incident "severe and catastrophic" as he announced the event was cancelled.

MSVR, which runs the championship, said on Tuesday that Tom Tunstall “sustained a broken bone in his neck and is currently under the care of a team of specialists at the Royal Stoke Hospital.

“While his condition is serious, he is stable and receiving the best possible treatment."

MSVR and the Motorcycle Racing Control Board added they are "investigating the full circumstances of the incident in conjunction with the Coroner and Cheshire Constabulary".

Our thoughts are with everyone involved and their families.

Image source, Pacemaker

The North West 200 is an international road race that takes place on closed public roads between the towns of Portrush, Portsewart and Coleraine.

There are four different classes at the event. Supertwin is the 'slowest' (not a term I use lightly) class, followed by the Supersport, Superstock and the blue ribband Superbike class.

The Superbikes can reach up to speeds of 200mph on the run down to University corner.

Some of the big riders to look out for are Michael Dunlop, Alastair Seeley, Davey Todd, Peter Hickman and Dean Harrison.

There are practice and qualifying days on Wednesday and Thursday, followed by the first batch of races on Thursday evening.

Saturday is a day full of racing, ending with the feature North West 200 Superbike race.

Image source, BBC Sport

Hi everyone.

The sun is shining and the noise of motorbikes are in the air.

It can only mean one thing - the North West 200 is back.

It's the opening day of practice sessions around the Triangle Circuit and you can keep right up to date here.

You can watch it live on the BBC Sport website and on BBC iPlayer. We'll also have live updates right here.

Thanks for joining us.