Michael Dunlop on provisional pole

Fun in the sun at Northern

Michael Dunlop is on provisional pole for the North West 200 Superbike race after today's opening qualifying session.

He lapped on his Hawk Racing BMW at 121.652mph to finish half a second ahead of Alistair Seeley with Ian Hutchinson in third.

Hutchinson clocked 203.4mph on his Tyco BMW through the speed-trap.

Manx star Conor Cummins is 8th quickest.

Michael Rutter finished at the top of the Superstock standings with the session being stopped late on by a red flag - unfortunately Ben Wilson, who is scheduled to make his T.T. debut later this month, suffered a broken leg.

Seeley was again second and Hutchinson third.

Seeley, who is looking to for his 16th victory at the Triangle to move ahead of Robert Dunlop on the all-time list, was quickest in the Supersport class ahead of Ian Hutchinson and Martin Jessopp - Cummins is 19th.

And Jessopp is at the top of the Supertwin rankings ahead of Ivan Lintin and Ryan Farquhar.