Rutter tops Ducati 1-2 in NW200 superbike qualifying

Michael Rutter and Martyn Jessopp will line up first and second for Saturday’s NW200 Superbike races on their Riders of Bridgewater/Bathams Ducatis.

Rutter posted the fast time of Thursday’s afternoon practice with a lap of 121.245mph, compared to Jessopp’s 120.986.

The only other riders to top 120mph were Michel Dunlop in third place on the Street Sweep PBM Kawasaki and fourth-placed Guy Martin on the Relentless by TAS Suzuki.
Cameron Donald heads the second row on the Wilson Craig Honda from East Coast Honda rider Gary Johnson. Alastair Seeley had been dominating all of qualifying until his Relentless by TAS Suzuki was plagued by a misfire throughout yesterday’s session. His 119.094mph lap from Tuesday evening’s session secured him seventh on the grid. Bruce Anstey completes the second row.

William Dunlop leads the third row on the second of the Wilson Craig Hondas from NW200 rookie Simon Andrews who clocked an impressive 118.372mph lap on the Ice Valley BMW. James Hillier’s Bournemouth Kawasaki and KMR Kawasaki rider Ryan Farquhar complete the row.

Seeley, however, is on pole position for the Superstock and Supersport races on his Relentless by TAS Suzukis.

In Supersport, Gary Johnson was just 1.2s slower on the East Coast Racing Honda with Michael Dunlop third, and Bruce Anstey fourth. William Dunlop, Cameron Donald (who stopped out on the course and only got on lap in today on his Wilson Craig Honda), Guy Martin and Ryan Farquhar completed the second row.

In the Superstock calls Michael Dunlop is second quickest from Michael Rutter and Johnson. William Dunlop, Ryan Farquhar, James Hillier and Donald complete the second row.