North West 200: Cooper fastest in two sessions, but the real story lies in the drama and the unexpected twists. The race is on, and the competition is fierce, with a few surprises along the way.
The Superstock speeds were led by the high-profile newcomer Storm Stacey, who showed incredible speed with a top speed of 107.870mph. However, it was the Australian Josh Brookes who ultimately took the lead with a stunning 109.411mph, followed closely by Harrison in second place at 108.814mph. John McGuinness, Dominic Herbertson, and Hickman were also in the running, but it was Brookes and Harrison who were the clear frontrunners.
The Supertwins/Sportbike session saw McWilliams take the top spot with a 7.7-second lead over his nearest rival, achieving a speed of 105.163mph on his Yamaha R7. Jordan, the winner of last year's second Supertwins event, was his closest challenger at 102.590mph, with Seeley in third place at 101.502mph, both riding Aprilias. This marks Seeley's first appearance in the Supertwins category, and he is a record 29-time winner, adding to the excitement.
Michael Dunlop, a Ballymoney rider, had a disappointing day, failing to qualify in the Superbike class after a last-minute decision to switch from his Ducati V4 to a Honda Fireblade. He ended up 12th in the Supersports and 25th in the Superstock outing, a stark contrast to his usual dominance.
The race is far from over, and the competition is heating up. With Brookes and Harrison in the lead, the question remains: who will take the ultimate victory at the North West 200? The drama and surprises are only just beginning, and the spectators are in for a thrilling ride.
