Dunlop pips Seeley in opening superbike session

Michael Dunlop is on provisional pole for this year’s North West 200 Superbike races after pipping Alastair Seeley to the top spot in the closing moments of the opening qualifying session.  

After dominating this morning’s supersport session in the perfect conditions, Seeley looked set to take his second P1 of the day until a late lap from Hawk Racing’s Michael Dunlop knocked him off the top spot by 0.581 seconds.

Ian Hutchinson completed a top three lockout for BMW on the Tyco-backed TAS Racing machine, ahead of Honda Racing’s John McGuinness who clocked his first 200mph through the speed trap at the Triangle circuit.

North West veteran Michael Rutter was fifth ahead of the Kawasakis of James Hillier and Peter Hickman with Conor Cummins, Bruce Anstey and Lee Johnston rounding out the top ten.

The second qualifying session will take place on Thursday.