Evening Sessions Complete Following Schedule Changes
Qualifying for the 2026 Briggs Equipment North West 200 resumed on Thursday evening following the tragic events that brought the morning session to an immediate halt.
Race organisers revised the timetable after the earlier incident, shortening all remaining qualifying sessions to 30 minutes per class in order to complete preparations for Saturday’s race programme. Despite the difficult circumstances surrounding the event, riders returned to the famous Triangle circuit to finalise grid positions across all categories.
The North West 200 paddock faced an emotional atmosphere throughout the evening, with competitors, teams, and fans balancing the demands of one of road racing’s biggest events alongside the reality of the risks involved in the sport.
Dean Harrison Secures Superbike Pole Position
Honda Rider Sets Benchmark Pace
The Superbike class was first on track once the evening sessions began, and it was Honda Racing’s Dean Harrison who emerged fastest around the 8.97-mile Triangle circuit.
Harrison produced an impressive lap aboard the Honda Racing Fireblade to claim pole position for Saturday’s feature races, continuing his strong form around the high-speed Northern Irish road course.
The Bradford rider, still searching for his first North West 200 Superbike victory, looked immediately comfortable around the demanding layout and ended the session more than two seconds clear of his closest challenger.
His pace underlined both the strength of the factory Honda package and Harrison’s growing confidence on the north coast circuit, where precision and bravery are equally important.
Glenn Irwin Leads Ducati Challenge
Eleven-time North West 200 race winner Glenn Irwin secured second place on the grid for the Nitrous Competitions Ducati squad.
Irwin, one of the most experienced and successful riders around the Triangle circuit, once again demonstrated his speed despite finishing 2.32 seconds behind Harrison’s benchmark lap.
The Carrickfergus rider remains one of the favourites heading into race day given his proven ability around the circuit and his aggressive but controlled style in road racing conditions.
BMW rider Richard Cooper completed the front row for SMS/Nicholl Oils Racing. Although almost two seconds slower than Irwin, Cooper remains a consistent threat thanks to his experience across multiple classes at the event.
Tight Battle Inside the Top Six
Josh Brookes placed fourth on the DAO Racing Honda, continuing a solid week for the Australian veteran.
Local favourite Michael Dunlop completed the top five aboard the Hawk Racing Honda, with Storm Stacey impressing once again in sixth position on the AJN Racing Ducati.
The margins between the riders from fourth to sixth were incredibly tight, separated by just over one tenth of a second. That level of competition suggests the Superbike races could produce some of the closest battles of the entire meeting.
For Stacey in particular, the session represented another encouraging step in his rapid adaptation to the North West 200 circuit.
Hickman Dominates Supertwin and Sportbike Session
Yamaha Rider Continues Strong Form
Peter Hickman carried his road racing momentum into the Supertwin and Sportbike qualifying session by taking pole position aboard the Swan Racing/PHR Yamaha.
The British rider clocked a fastest lap of 4 minutes 50.266 seconds, establishing himself as the rider to beat heading into Saturday’s races.
Hickman’s reputation as one of the fastest road racers in modern competition has been built on his ability to quickly adapt to changing circuit conditions while maintaining exceptional average speeds across long laps.
Jordan and McWilliams Complete Front Row
Last year’s class winner Paul Jordan secured second position on the Jackson Racing/Prosper 2 Aprilia.
Jordan finished just over a second behind Hickman but once again demonstrated why he remains one of the strongest local contenders at the event.
Veteran Jeremy McWilliams claimed the final front-row position aboard the Flitwick/SMV Aprilia.
Despite decades of racing experience behind him, McWilliams continues to show impressive pace around the Triangle circuit, proving his knowledge and racecraft remain major strengths.
Seeley Impresses Once Again
Alastair Seeley delivered another standout qualifying performance by securing fourth place on the Binch Pro/3B Construction Aprilia.
Known as the “Wee Wizard,” Seeley remains one of the most decorated riders in North West 200 history, and his familiarity with the circuit continues to make him competitive across multiple categories.
Michael Sweeney and Jamie Coward completed the top six, both riders showing competitive pace ahead of race day.
Dunlop Takes Superstock Pole in Front of Home Fans
Local Star Delivers Another Fast Lap
Michael Dunlop thrilled the local crowd by taking pole position in the Superstock category aboard the MD Racing BMW.
The Ballymoney rider posted a fastest lap of 4 minutes 23.441 seconds, once again highlighting his incredible speed and confidence around public road circuits.
Dunlop’s reputation as one of the greatest road racers of his generation continues to grow, particularly after his recent successes at both the North West 200 and Isle of Man TT.
BMW and Honda Battle at the Front
Richard Cooper secured second position, finishing just over four tenths behind Dunlop on the SMS Nicholl Oils BMW.
Dean Harrison continued his strong evening by placing third for Honda Racing, narrowly missing out on a front-row start in the category.
Storm Stacey maintained his impressive debut week around the Triangle by taking fourth on the CD Racing by MSS Performance/Alpha Racing BMW.
The young rider’s confidence and adaptability have quickly made him one of the standout newcomers of the meeting.
Josh Brookes completed the top five for DAO Racing Honda, with Paul Jordan rounding out the leading six riders.
Supersport Session Cut Short After Red Flag
Incident at Whins Brings Session to a Halt
The Supersport qualifying session was interrupted by another red flag after only three laps had been completed by the leading riders.
The stoppage followed an incident involving a competitor at the Whins section near Portrush.
Emergency services attended immediately, and the rider involved was transported by ambulance to Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital for further treatment and assessment.
The interruption once again highlighted the demanding and dangerous nature of closed-road motorcycle racing, where high speeds and narrow public roads leave little margin for error.
Seeley Fastest in Supersport
Ducati Rider Leads Competitive Field
Before the red flag, Alastair Seeley had set the fastest time in the Supersport class aboard the Binch Pro Racing/3B Ducati.
His quickest lap of 4 minutes 38.608 seconds placed him ahead of Michael Dunlop, who finished just 0.366 seconds behind on the Scars/MD Racing Ducati.
Dean Harrison completed the top three for Honda Racing, continuing his consistently strong pace across multiple classes.
Experienced Names Fill Top Six
Finnish rider Erno Kostamo secured fourth position for Zero Waste Motorsport Ducati, continuing his steady progress around the North West circuit.
Ian Hutchinson claimed fifth aboard the Burrows Engineering RK Racing Ducati, while Paul Jordan rounded out the top six.
The close times across the leading group suggest the Supersport races could become some of the most competitive contests of the weekend if conditions remain stable.
North West 200 Faces Emotional Weekend Ahead
Historic Event Continues Under Difficult Circumstances
The 2026 North West 200 now moves toward race day following one of the most emotional and difficult qualifying days in recent years.
Road racing remains one of motorcycle sport’s most unique disciplines, combining incredible skill, courage, and tradition with ever-present danger on closed public roads.
The Triangle circuit — running between Portstewart, Coleraine, and Portrush — continues to test riders with its combination of long straights, fast corners, heavy braking zones, and changing road surfaces.
Despite the sombre atmosphere surrounding Thursday’s events, competitors now turn their focus toward Saturday’s races, where some of the biggest names in international road racing will once again battle at speeds approaching 200mph along Northern Ireland’s north coast.
Image: Pacemaker
