Davey Todd has cleared off! He's scampered off into the distance on the run to Coleraine!

Dean Harrison has jumped into second ahead of Peter Hickman and Michael Dunlop.

Davey Todd snatches the lead off the line!

He's clear into York corner, followed by Hickman and Harrison as they sprint up to Mill Road for the first time!

A look to the lights, the engine notes rise.....WE ARE RACING!

There's nothing quite like the anticipation of the first race of the North West 200.

We'll be off and running any moment now.

Lee Johnston
Five-time winner on BBC iPlayer

Alastair Seeley is the only rider on this grid that hasn't raced yet this year.

We don't know if that will impact him or if he'll be feeling a little bit more nervous down on the grid, but he is a seasoned veteran so I would highly doubt it.

Remember, you can watch this one right here or on BBC iPlayer.

It's also live on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Foyle.

This will be worth tuning in for.

Keith Huewen
BBC Sport NI commentator

We talk about Peter Hickman never winning a Superbike race here, but neither has Dean Harrison and Dean is just as skilled around the roads.

It will be interesting to see if he can keep it together.

Peter Hickman and Davey Todd lead the riders back onto the grid.

It won't be long before we are under way on the north coast.

If you want a weather update, it's still a glorious evening.

8Ten Racing's Peter Hickman speaking on BBC iPlayer: "To be here and be on the front row, both of us, I am pleased.

"To be honest it looked like a week and a half ago that we were going to struggle to be here. I am super pleased and lets see what the race brings.

"There is a good group of us, we are all quite similar so it should be an interesting race."

Remember, this one is a four lap sprint tonight, rather than the longer Superbike races we are used to.

This will be fast and furious stuff.

Who do you fancy for this one?

Here we go!

The riders are released onto their sighting lap.

Image source, Pacemaker

Here's how they line up for the opening race of the evening.

1. Peter Hickman (BMW)
2. Davey Todd (BMW)
3. Dean Harrison (Honda)
4. Alastair Seeley (BMW)
5. Michael Dunlop (BMW)
6. Jamie Coward (BMW)
7. Ian Hutchinson (BMW)
8. Erno Kostamo (BMW)
9. John McGuinness (Honda)
10. Paul Jordan (Honda)

8Ten Racing's Davey Todd speaking on BBC iPlayer: "I am super excited.

"We are here with the new team and we are one and two on the grid [Peter Hickman and Davey Todd], which is a perfect start for our new team.

"We are just getting through some little teething issues with the new bike. We have had no testing or anything, the first test for us was last weekend at Oulton Park so we are just chipping away."

Image source, Pacemaker

Peter Hickman led an 8Ten Racing one-two as he beat team-mate Davey Todd in Superbike qualifying at the North West 200.

Hickman, who has never won a Superbike race at the international road race, set a blistering final lap of 4:19.168 to take pole for the three Superbike races.

Todd was 1.106 seconds behind Hickman, will Dean Harrison had to settle for third after leading most of the session.

Alastair Seeley was fourth and Michael Dunlop rounded out the top five.

Todd, Harrison and Seeley were split by lone tenth of a second over an 8.9 mile lap.

Jamie Coward was an impressive sixth, while Ian Hutchinson, Erno Kostamo, John McGuinness and Paul Jordan completed the top 10.

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

The wind has changed a bit. It was a headwind earlier today, it was a crosswind a few hours ago and those flags now look like they're going towards a tailwind.

If there is a tailwind tonight and this is the first time the boys will let the Superbikes loose, that 210mph could be tonight.

Image source, Pacemaker

For the first time in 11 races, there will be a new Superbike winner at the North West 200.

Glenn Irwin has retired from road racing and that has opened the door for someone to take his crown.

Peter Hickman is best placed after sticking his 8TEN BMW on pole position, but you can't discount Davey Todd, Alastair Seeley, Dean Harrison or Michael Dunlop.

It's going to be intriguing to watch.

Black Hill is one of the most spectacular spots to watch the North West 200.

Peter Hickman, Alastair Seeley and Michael Dunlop are all multiple race winners but have their own unique styles over the crest.

Image source, pacemaker

We've just had a minute's silence on the grid to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day and a big swing band are currently playing some Glenn Miller numbers ahead of racing.

Richard Petrie
BBC Sport at the North West 200

Will the pace be hot enough tonight to see the Superbike lap record go in the four-lapper?

Glenn Irwin holds that benchmark at the moment at 125.799mph on his Ducati when he was pushed all the way last year.

Of the riders on the grid tonight, Michael Rutter, Alastair Seeley, Josh Brookes, Michael Dunlop and Peter Hickman are all former lap record holders for the Triangle circuit.

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

Image source, BBC Sport