NW200: Hickman quickest in disrupted opening practice

Three red flags see day one schedule shortened

Peter Hickman has set the fastest pace during a disrupted opening qualifying for this year's North West 200.

The 8TEN Racing rider posted a quickest time in the Superbike class of four minutes, 25.271 seconds (121.372mph).

Also impressing during the session was Honda Racing UK's Dean Harrison at second fastest (four minutes, 26.030 seconds (121.385mph) with the returning Alastair Seeley third in the standings (four minutes, 26.869 seconds, 121.003mph).

The Superbike session was halted twice due to red flags - both of those red flags were brought out due to oil spills on the track.

Meanwhile, the following Supersport session was stopped due to a red flag six minutes after starting.

Race organisers have now confirmed this was due to an incident at Mill Road roundabout involving two riders.

Both riders were treated at the scene before being transferred to hospital, one by road and one by air.

The session was eventually restarted with only 15 minutes of the road closure order remaining with Richard Cooper topping to charts in the quickfire session with a fastest pace of four minutes, 36.464 seconds (116.795mph).

Only narrowly off that target was Dean Harrison at second-quickest (four minutes, 36.531 seconds, 121.775mph) with Michael Dunlop completing the top three (four minutes, 39.144 seconds, 115.682mph).

As a result of the delays, today's Superstock and Supertwin qualifying slots were cancelled.

Day two of practice is scheduled for tomorrow (8 May) with roads around the Triangle circuit currently due to close at 9am and reopen no later than 3pm.