North West 200: Davey Todd expects duel with Richard Cooper to go to wire

Cooper headed the Supersport time sheets on the BPE by Russell Racing Yamaha by eight tenths of a second from fellow Englishman Todd, who won both Supersport races in 2023.

Todd is riding the Powertoolmate Ducati after his previous victories were achieved on Clive Padgett’s Honda machinery but the 28-year-old is arguably the favourite going into Thursday evening’s opening Supersport race over four laps.

Todd lapped at 117.418mph compared to Cooper’s best effort of 117.767mph but he seemed slightly frustrated by his rival’s tactics during the qualifying session.

“The Supersport went really well; I don’t know if Coops is scared to do a lap on his own or what but my neck’s sore from that hook he seems to have in my back and I’ve been towing him around all session,” Todd said.

“It’s going to be like that in the race anyway and the two of us seem to have a bit of pace, but I’m sure there will be other guys in the race who will get the tow and, as always, it ends up a fantastic battle in that class.”

Michael Dunlop was third fastest on his Triumph ahead of Cooper’s BPE Yamaha team-mate Mike Browne, with lap record holder Peter Hickman in fifth on his Trooper Triumph by PHR machine.

Nottingham’s Cooper, who has won the last four Supertwin races at the North West but is seeking his maiden Supersport success, said: “There were no issues and things went exactly the way I hoped they would during that session. I reeled off nearly race distance and used the same tyres through the whole session.

“I also had a very good look at the opposition and, although I am mentioning no names, I know it is going to be difficult to win when there is a clear difference in cc’s and that difference is not to my advantage.”

On a strong day for Todd, he was fastest in Superstock qualifying on the Milwaukee BMW by half-a-second from Honda Racing’s Dean Harrison, with Dunlop around 2.3s further in arrears on his Honda in third.

Hickman was fourth quickest on his PHR Performance BMW ahead of John McGuinness, who is marking 30 years of racing at the North West this week.

In the Supertwin class, Jeremy McWilliams was on top after two laps when the session was halted due to a red flag incident at Mill Road roundabout. No further details were provided.

With time running out, the session was not re-started.

McWilliams (Bayview Hotel Paton) was 0.437s ahead of Adam McLean (J McC Roofing Racing Kawasaki) and Michael Sweeney (Aprilia).