Keith Huewen
BBC Sport NI commentator

Jeremy McWilliams is going to be riding the Supersport R6 because they haven't been able to get the Ducati parts across.

Bangor man Dwayne McCracken tells BBC Sport NI's Stephen Watson about recovering from cancer and setting up his own team, Lionheart Moto Racing.

The team is running Belgian rider Julian Trummer and is also contesting the Isle of Man TT and the Irish national road races.

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.

Cooper led the way from Harrison and Dunlop in Wednesday's curtailed opening session on the north coast.

First qualifying session - 1 Richard Cooper; 2 Dean Harrison; 3 Michael Dunlop

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

8Ten Racing BMW MotorRad's Darren Jones speaking on BBC iPlayer: "The tyres don't impact the team to be honest.

"Peter [Hickman] is an ambassador for Dunlop and prefers the Dunlop tyre.

"We gave both of them the choice. Davey [Todd] was Dunlop and then switched [to Metzeler] and he seems to have adapted to it really well.

"He likes it and it is very similar to BSB so he doesn't have that change so there is no drama as such, it's just what they feel comfortable on."

Honda- Milenco By Padgetts Motorcycles' Mitch Rees speaking on BBC iPlayer: "I started on Motorcross, so the bumps and jumps around here suit me a little bit better!

"We have had quite a few New Zealanders come over so to follow in their footsteps is awesome."

1 Davey Todd (BMW) 123.19mph

2 Alastair Seeley (BMW) 122.949

3 Peter Hickman (BMW) 122.008

4 Dean Harrison (Honda) 121.668

5 Michael Dunlop (BMW) 121.399

6 Jamie Coward (BMW) 121.387

7 Mike Browne (BMW) 121.113

8 Paul Jordan (Honda) 120.980

9 Ian Hutchinson (BMW) 120.836

10 John McGuinness (Honda) 120.729

Davey Todd goes top of the Superstock timings with a lap speed of 123.19mph just as the chequered flag went out to bring this session to a close.

Seeley remains second, 0.5 seconds behind the Yorkshireman on 122.949.

Next is Peter Hickman at 122.008.

We'll have the full final practice leaderboard for you very shortly when the last riders have completed their final lap of this session.

The winners' spoils have been well divided over the years among the manufacturers in this class.

BMW had their first success with Keith Amor back in 2010 and now top the table with 13 race wins, followed by the four traditional manufacturers - Suzuki with nine, Yamaha on seven, Honda with four and Kawaaski with four.

British Superbike Champion Kyle Ryde speaking on BBC iPlayer: "I am happy to be here.

"It is crazy for me [to watch]. I don't ever think about doing this and I just respect the lads who do it and wish them all a good and safe weekend at the North West 200.

"Last year was a wonderful season, British Champion, I have worked my whole life for it. It was nice to wear this number one cap, I have 12 months of it!"

Glenn Irwin speaking on BBC iPlayer: "They all look really, really impressive out there.

"Some of the local lads, Alastair Seeley stands out. He is just coming back to the sport and Paul Jordan also looks really strong.

Yamaha- Never Be Clever Racing's Darryl Tweed speaking on BBC iPlayer: "It's going not too bad so far.

"I was happy enough with the Supertwin. We have a few suspension changes to make on it now.

"I am happy with all the bikes and just need to go a little bit faster."

Honda- Paul Jordan/ Jackson Racing Powered By Prosper2's Paul Jordan speaking on BBC iPlayer: "I am happy with the times on my own because with this evening's race, once I am in a group, it should be a lot easier.

"With the bikes, we haven't changed a lot compared to yesterday's session with just minor tweaks to try and get a little bit more grip."

8-time NW200 Race Winner Steve Plater speaking on BBC iPlayer: "There was a lot of frustration yesterday because of the lack of track time, which is no ones fault, but everyone seems happy this morning.

"The conditions are great. We have sunshine and the air is really cool so the bikes are running really well so everyone is coming back really positive."

Alastair Seeley tells BBC Sport NI that it didn't take him long to get back in the groove this year after his absence from the event in 2024.

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI at the North West 200

I think Davey Todd has got his mechanical issues sorted - he's flown into second place on his first flying lap.

Good to see him out there.

Davey Todd looks to have put his machine problems behind him as he puts in the second fastest lap of the Superstock session at 122.40mph.

That leaves him 1.12 seconds in arrears of Alastair Seeley who has improved his best speed to 122.949.

Peter Hickman, Dean Harrison and Michael Dunlop are third, fourth and fifth on the leaderboard.

MLAV's Mike Browne speaking on BBC iPlayer: "The bike feels good. It's a totally different bike again to yesterday, we totally changed the throttle and the way it reacts. So I am just feeding my way in, trying to settle and learn it all as I'm going.

"I'm trying to be fast but be mindful as well."

Keith Huewen
BBC Sport NI commentator

Dean Harrison has looked aggressive from his first lap yesterday.

He looks to me as if he has a motorbike that worked for him the moment he went out in it, that's a great feeling.

BMW- 8Ten Racing BMW Motorrad's Davey Todd speaking on BBC iPlayer:

"I am not entirely sure [what the issue is], possibly a fuel pump or something like that.

"This is the first time this bike has turned a wheel, it is a brand new 2025 BMW Superstock bike.

"Hopefully I'll get back out there. I am having all the bad luck at the minute."

The machines are coming in and out of pits as they attempt to try and get the best set-up on their bikes to give them the best chance of success come race time.

It's all about tweaking and getting the best balance and suspension to cope with the various facets of the Triangle circuit, including the fast flat-out straights.

It's fast and furious out on track too as the riders try to make up for lost time...still some 25 minutes remaining in this session.