By Blue skies, dry conditions all round was a pleasant sight for those getting ready for the Supersport qualifying opener, at the FonaCAB & Nicholl Oils North West 200.
Fifteen minutes into the 29 minutes plus long session, moderately delayed by an oil spillage from the prior newcomers practice stint, the times sheet topping rider was quickest Triangle course newcomer in history, Richard Cooper.
Cooper led Boyce Precision Engineering/Russell Racing team-mate Dean Harrison by 0.833 of a second.
F900R BMW Cup series leader Cooper, went onto further strengthen his grip on Q1, lapping sub 4 minutes 37 seconds.
Post the fifth timed laps, Carrickfergus’s Alastair Seeley showing ominous pace, was now P2 on the live timing leader board, 0.758 down on Cooper’s best lap thus far.
Soon NW200 wins record holder Seeley went P1, lapping at 4 minutes 36.589 seconds.
Seeley astride the Powertoolmate/Milwaukee Ducati remained speediest at the session’s finalisation ahead of 47 plate holder Cooper and 2019 Senior TT Champion Harrison.
Supersport TT lap record holder Michael Dunlop, post a late burst of pace placed P4 as Peter Hickman, Ashcourt Racing’s Lee Johnston completed the top six.
Rounding out top ten most rapid middleweight class exponents were Davey Todd, impressive NW200 debutant Michael Browne, PreZ Racing’s Paul Jordan and reigning Steve Henshaw Gold Cup Champion Adam McLean.
Supersport Q1 Result, reads as follows:
1 – Alastair Seeley – 4:36.589
2 – Richard Cooper – 4:36.983
3 – Dean Harrison – 4:38.119
4 – Michael Dunlop – 4:38.281
5 – Peter Hickman – 4:39.471
6 – Lee Johnston – 4:40.499
7 – Davey Todd – 4:42.395
8 – Michael Browne – 4.:43.301
9 – Paul Jordan – 4:44.063
10 – Adam McLean – 4:45.841
11 – Conor Cummins – 4:45.955
12 – Jeremy McWilliams – 4:48.859
13 – Michael Sweeney – 4:49.122
14 – Christian Elkin – 4:49.786
15 – Joey Thompson – 4:50.386
16 – Joe Loughlin – 4:52.079
17 – Matthieu Lagrive – 4:53.719
18 – Craig Neve – 4:53.839
19 – Pierre Yves Bian – 4:53.931
20 – Stefano Bonetti – 4:55.675
21 – Gary McCoy – 4:56.440
22 – Darryl Tweed – 4:56.973
23 – Kris Duncan – 4:57.734
24 – Ryan Gibson – 4:59.371
25 – Jamie Williams – 5:00.652
26 – James Chawke – 5:02.256
27 – Barry Graham – 5:02.653
28 – Brian McCormack – 5:02.926
29 – Neil Kernohan – 5:03.801
30 – Mark Conlin – 5:04.683
Photo credit: Tommy Vennard
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
