NEW THURSDAY QUALIFYING SCHEDULE AFTER PETER HICKMAN FASTEST IN DISRUPTED OPENING SESSION AT 2025 BRIGGS EQUIPMENT NORTH WEST 200

Peter Hickman topped the time sheets in the Superbike class on his 8Ten Racing BMW during the opening qualifying session of the Briggs Equipment North West 200 today. Run in perfect conditions, the session had to be red flagged twice because of oil spills on the sections of road between Station corner and University corner and University corner and the Ballysally roundabout.

Hickman, who is chasing his first Superbike victory at Portrush, lapped at 121.732mph to finish 0.759 seconds ahead of Dean Harrison on the Honda Racing Fireblade. 29 times North West winner,Alastair Seeley, who is returning to the 8.9 mile Triangle course after missing the 2024 event, was 1.598 seconds behind Hickman. Paul Jordan (Jackson Racing Honda by Prosper2), Finland’s Erno Kostamo (RVS Motorsport BMW) and Jamie Coward (KTS Racing BMW) completed the leading six fastest riders.

Michael Dunlop was seventh fastest on his new M1000RR BMW, 5.946 seconds behind Hickman but the Ballymoney man has still to complete a sufficient number of laps to qualify. Michael Sweeney (MJR BMW), John McGuinness (Honda Racing) and Nathan Harrison (H&H Motorcycles Honda) completed the top ten.

Dean Harrison was the quickest through the speed trap at 209.1mph ahead of the BMWs of Erno Kostamo and Michael Sweeney who both hit 206.5mph.

The Superbikes had taken to track after the opening Newcomer’s practice which was led off by New Zealand’s Mitch Rees on the Milenco Padgett’s Honda. Amongst the marshals shepherding the new recruits was 11 times NW200 Superbike racer winner, Glenn Irwin.

The Supersport session, which followed the Superbike action, was red flagged after just six minutes when two riders crashed at Mill Road roundabout. Medics attended the scene and both riders were transferred to hospital, one by road ambulance and the other by air med.

The session was resumed with less than 20 minutes left before roads were due to re-open. Richard Cooper (BPE by Russell Racing Yamaha) topped the timings, just 0.047seconds ahead of Dean Harrison on the Honda Racing CBR600RR and 2.66 seconds in front of Michael Dunlop on the Milwaukee V2 Ducati. Peter Hickman (Trooper Beer Triumph), Josh Brookes (Jackson Racing Honda by Prosper 2) and Mike Browne (BPE by Russell Racing Yamaha) completed the top six.

Alastair Seeley posted the 14th fastest time in the session on the CD Racing by MSS Performance Kawasaki, 11.739 seconds behind Cooper’s time. With the roads due to re-open at 3pm, the organisers cancelled the Superstock and Supertwin sessions.

Roads will close at 9am on Thursday with the action beginning at 9.45am as the Twins open the action followed by Superstock, Supersport and Superbike final qualifying. Roads will re-open at 3pm.