North West 200 qualifying: Harrison takes Superbike pole after sombre Thursday

NorthWest 200 Qualifying

Thursday proved to be a sombre day at the North West 200. In a tragic turn of events, 48-year-old Kamil Holan from the Czech Republic, lost his life during the day’s opening Superbike practice session, crashing at Station Corner. The NW 200 released a statement in the late afternoon, sharing that the rider’s family had given their blessing for the event to continue. Our condolences go to his family and friends.

Qualifying during the day followed by three evening races had been the original plan, but that fell by the wayside after the incident. The course remained closed for most of the day as the event organisers periodically announced further delays, with spectators held in place at the trackside. Eventually, the 15:30 road open time came upon us, and the circuit returned to everyday traffic for a short time.

As only a handful of SBK laps were completed in the morning, much of the field had failed to qualify after Wednesday’s bad weather had also caused disruption, leaving question marks hanging over how the event could move forward. It was at this time that a second bulletin advised that the evening’s racing would be replaced by the qualifying programme, which should have taken place during the day. The roads closed again at 16:45, with fans frantically scrambling to return to their positions.

In bright and fresh conditions, a full SBK session kicked things off, and it didn’t disappoint. All the big-name riders spent lots of time out on track, keen to ensure they qualified.

Dean Harrison was the man who eventually came out on top, securing pole with a lap of 4m 19.165; over 2 seconds faster than Glenn Irwin in 2nd place. It was a highly impressive performance from the Honda racing star and really laid down a marker for Saturday’s big races.

Irwin was visibly trying hard as he negotiated the 8.9-mile circuit this evening, and so the gap to Harrison’s time is somewhat surprising. But Irwin doesn’t yet seem comfortable on the new Ducati Panigale V4 R, whereas Harrison has a couple of years’ experience on the Fireblade and seemed to be on rails. Sometimes the harder you try, the slower you go.

Behind them came Richard Cooper in 3rd, ahead of Josh Brookes in 4th. Brookes has looked much more settled at this year’s event than he did during the 2025 edition, and so don’t be surprised if he’s right in the hunt for victory come race day. Michael Dunlop and Storm Stacey completed the top six.

Next up was the Supertwin/ Sportsbike class. In this one, it was Peter Hickman who headed the pack on his £70,000 all-yellow Swan Yamaha R7. It was Hickman’s best performance of the week so far, and it’s always surprising how well he goes on the little bike, given his size.

Hickman’s time of 4m:50.266 was just over a second faster than 2025 race winner, Paul Jordan, on the Jackson racing Aprilia. Wednesday’s provisional pole man, Jeremy McWilliams, came in 3rd on another Yamaha, just 0.6s off Jordan’s pace.

Alastair Seeley (Aprilia) finished up 4th, posting a time of 4m 55.041, which was around 3s off the speeds set by the front 3. Michael Sweeney (Aprilia) and Jamie Coward (Paton) rounded out the rest of the leaderboard.

At this stage, we were rattling through the sessions at quite a swift pace, and although the temperature had dropped, the dreaded rain that had been forecast had so far stayed away, despite some dark, murky clouds blowing their way towards the circuit from the Donegal area, across the bay.

The stockers were out next, and again we saw the star riders stay out as much as possible, keen to maximise track time and ensure qualification. It was Michael Dunlop who made the most of the session, sticking his BMW on pole. The Ballymoney man really looked at home on the bike- the same one he won the Thursday evening stock race this time last year on. While he experienced some setup issues with the machine at the TT in 2025, it now very much looks like ‘his’ bike.

Richard Cooper on another M1000RR was 2nd fastest, ahead of Dean Harrison on the Honda. Storm Stacey (BMW) posted a time worthy of 4th in the standings, and it’s become clear as the week has progressed that the debutant wasn’t lying when he said he was a fast learner. Brookes (Honda) squeezed into 5th, just a whisker faster than his ex-teammate, Paul Jordan (Honda).

Peter Hickman had experienced a brake issue and pulled into the pits to have it looked at. However, when he raced back out in hopes of banking a fast lap, he encountered heavy rain on the run into Coleraine and on the approach to the roundabout. It scuppered any chance he had of troubling the leaderboard and left him languishing in 60th position. However, he reckons that because we’ve now had a ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ sessions, that grid positions should be allocated based on positions from both sessions and that his position in yesterday’s stock practice session should keep him in the top 6. There seemed to be some uncertainty about this, so we’ll have to wait and see on Saturday how things pan out.

You get the impression that there might be grounds for some more unwanted controversy come Saturday, if the TT lap record holder doesn’t get his way on this.

As another quick-fire half-hour session came to a close, it was time for the Supersport bikes. But this one only lasted a handful of laps before the red flags came out. An uncomfortably familiar feeling swept over the crowd. After all that had gone on earlier in the day, the fans, marshals and competitors were desperate for some good news.

With the sun setting and a cold chill setting in, it was obvious that practice was over for the evening. But we were held in our positions for quite some time as first responders made their way to the Dhuvarren area of the circuit to attend the ‘racing incident’. After what seemed like an eternity, the roads were eventually reopened, and it was announced that the rider involved had broken his leg and had been taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. There was an audible sigh of relief as the news was relayed around the circuit.

For what it’s worth, the times that were posted over the couple of laps that were completed saw Alastair Seeley quickest ahead of Michael Dunlop, with Dean Harrison 3rd. Erno Kostamo, Ian Hutchinson and Paul Jordan made up the top 6, meaning all but Harrison on the Honda were Ducati-mounted. Josh Brookes was seventh on a GSX-R750.

It remains to be seen whether they will move any of the scheduled Thursday races onto Saturday at this point; expect news of that on Friday. I’d imagine the smart money is on the three Thursday races being scrapped, with Saturday’s programme running as planned without any alterations. That will all be decided at a meeting held on Friday morning.

Friday brings a welcome rest day, giving all involved a chance to get their bearings after two long, trying, emotionally charged days.

Saturday’s forecast calls for wall-to-wall sunshine all day, and that might just be the tonic the event needs to get properly up and running this year. A good, solid, and safe day’s racing would be very much welcomed by all.

2026 North West 200 Combined Qualifying Results

Combined best qualifying laps across Wednesday and Thursday sessions. Behind column is recalculated to the fastest combined lap in each class. Lap mph is the official average speed for the rider’s best lap; Trap mph is the rider’s fastest speed-trap figure recorded on the approach to University.

NW200 Superbike Qualifying Times

Pos	Rider	Bike	Behind	Lap	Speed
1	D. Harrison	Hon	–	124.600	202.8
2	G. Irwin	Duc	+2.328	123.491	203.4
3	R. Cooper	BMW	+4.143	122.640	198.6
4	J. Brookes	Hon	+4.569	122.442	200.4
5	M. Dunlop	Hon	+5.034	122.226	204.0
6	S. Stacey	Duc	+5.135	122.179	201.6
7	I. Hutchinson	BMW	+6.194	121.692	201.0
8	P. Hickman	BMW	+6.484	121.559	203.4
9	E. Kostamo	BMW	+7.971	120.882	200.4
10	J. McGuinness	Hon	+8.294	120.736	196.3
11	M. Browne	Hon	+10.244	119.862	197.5
12	P. Jordan	Hon	+10.378	119.803	195.7
13	M. Sweeney	BMW	+10.752	119.637	194.0
14	D. Johnson	Kaw	+10.802	119.615	194.0
15	D. Herbertson	BMW	+11.204	119.437	195.7
16	L. Hoffmann	BMW	+12.911	118.687	194.0
17	M. Simpson	Hon	+13.532	118.417	191.3
18	P. Crowe	BMW	+13.962	118.231	186.0
19	D. Tweed	Hon	+14.343	118.066	198.0
20	M. Evans	Hon	+14.895	117.828	196.9
21	C. Phillips	BMW	+15.299	117.655	194.0
22	S. West	BMW	+15.440	117.594	191.8
23	M. Rees	Hon	+15.679	117.492	192.9
24	J. Chawke	BMW	+16.569	117.113	192.4
25	B. Burrell	BMW	+17.372	116.773	190.2
26	J. Perry	Hon	+17.478	116.728	192.9
27	K. Keyes	Hon	+19.246	115.987	187.0
28	G. McCoy	BMW	+19.448	115.903	197.5
29	E. Ferre	Hon	+20.081	115.640	191.8
30	M. Bottalico	BMW	+20.875	115.312	190.7
31	A. Blanc	Yam	+22.688	114.570	189.1
32	N. Kernohan	BMW	+22.817	114.518	192.9
33	D. McMaster	Kaw	+24.021	114.031	189.7
34	R. Whitehall	Suz	+24.174	113.969	186.0
35	M. Rutter	Duc	+24.299	113.919	186.5
36	M. Hewitt	BMW	+25.045	113.620	196.3
37	D. Gilbert	Yam	+25.081	113.606	187.6
38	R. Hodson	Hon	+25.205	113.556	193.5
39	R. Hardisty	Hon	+25.614	113.393	195.2
40	G. Thomson	Suz	+26.462	113.057	178.6
41	D. Brook	BMW	+27.602	112.607	188.6
42	M. Lennon	BMW	+27.886	112.496	187.0
43	S. McTaggart	BMW	+28.474	112.266	188.1
44	F. Matthys	BMW	+28.510	112.252	190.2
45	K. Duncan	Yam	+29.363	111.920	185.0
46	I. Caljouw	Kaw	+30.331	111.546	186.0
47	L. Jeacock	Hon	+30.597	111.443	185.5
48	D. Anderson	Hon	+31.104	111.249	189.1
49	W. Bourgeais	Yam	+32.823	110.594	190.7
50	F. Astner	BMW	+33.108	110.486	182.0
51	C. Kennelly	Hon	+33.213	110.446	186.0
52	M. Morris	Hon	+33.397	110.377	184.0
53	L. Chawke	Suz	+35.402	109.625	182.5
54	O. Lupberger	Yam	+37.013	109.029	176.3
55	R. Lindström	Hon	+38.393	108.523	165.4
56	D. Cleary	Suz	+40.437	107.783	184.5
57	E. Krchnavy	Kaw	+41.640	107.352	176.3
58	L. Thornton	Hon	+43.322	106.755	170.9
59	J. Polet	BMW	+43.840	106.572	173.5
60	K. Brockie	Suz	+44.618	106.300	180.5
61	R. Gibson	BMW	+50.756	104.194	185.5
62	S. Degnan	Kaw	+52.985	103.450	170.5
63	A. Spence	Hon	+1m03.752	100.001	196.3
64	K. Holan	BMW	+1m10.431	97.974	155.1
65	P. Röstlinger	Hon	+1m11.506	97.656	156.2
66	J. Trummer	BMW	+1m12.865	97.256	190.7
67	B. Graham	Yam	+1m53.247	86.710	154.8
68	D. Trappe	Kaw	+6m35.473	49.328	136.0

NW200 Supersport Qualifying Times

Pos	Rider	Bike	Behind	Mph	Speed
1	A. Seeley	Duc	–	115.905	177.7
2	M. Dunlop	Duc	+0.367	115.752	179.1
3	D. Harrison	Hon	+0.594	115.658	182.0
4	E. Kostamo	Duc	+0.932	115.518	181.0
5	I. Hutchinson	Duc	+1.672	115.213	178.1
6	P. Jordan	Duc	+2.847	114.732	175.8
7	J. Brookes	Suz	+6.004	113.460	174.4
8	C. Phillips	Duc	+7.574	112.837	175.3
9	M. Browne	Yam	+8.047	112.651	178.1
10	C. Elkin	Duc	+8.050	112.650	174.4
11	D. Tweed	Tri	+8.191	112.595	171.8
12	G. McCoy	Suz	+10.397	111.735	174.0
13	M. Evans	Tri	+11.408	111.346	173.5
14	J. McWilliams	Kaw	+11.772	111.206	171.3
15	R. Cooper	Yam	+12.269	111.016	180.0
16	M. Simpson	Tri	+12.642	110.874	163.8
17	K. Keyes	Yam	+13.076	110.709	163.0
18	M. Poncini	Yam	+13.207	110.659	—
19	J. Thompson	Hon	+14.344	110.230	176.7
20	A. Venter	Hon	+14.688	110.100	172.6
21	M. Rees	Hon	+14.820	110.051	167.9
22	M. Bottalico	Yam	+16.619	109.380	171.3
23	P. Hickman	Tri	+17.579	109.026	171.3
24	J. Perry	Kaw	+19.132	108.457	170.9
25	D. Gilbert	Yam	+19.496	108.325	187.6
26	J. Trummer	Tri	+21.811	107.490	165.8
27	G. McAleese	Yam	+22.771	107.147	173.5
28	D. Ingham	Kaw	+23.774	106.792	164.2
29	N. Lehtiranta	Yam	+24.083	106.683	166.7
30	N. Kernohan	Yam	+24.804	106.430	165.8
31	A. Herd	Kaw	+25.203	106.290	165.8
32	C. Kennelly	Yam	+26.154	105.958	163.8
33	I. Caljouw	Yam	+27.075	105.639	169.6
34	P. Y. Bian	Tri	+28.063	105.299	170.0
35	M. Lennon	Yam	+28.084	105.291	162.6
36	B. Furber	Tri	+28.296	105.219	162.2
37	D. Herbertson	Tri	+29.399	104.842	170.9
38	S. Brolly	Duc	+30.158	104.584	171.3
39	M. Gahan	Suz	+30.511	104.465	167.9
40	W. Bourgeais	Yam	+31.276	104.207	170.0
41	L. Hara	Yam	+31.496	104.133	166.7
42	E. Wormald	Suz	+32.278	103.871	173.1
43	L. Chawke	Suz	+33.252	103.546	167.9
44	S. Bednarek	Yam	+33.896	103.333	155.5
45	D. Brook	Tri	+34.336	103.188	159.6
46	L. Thornton	Tri	+36.237	102.565	148.3
47	C. Cook	Kaw	+36.505	102.478	155.9
48	M. Allen	Kaw	+36.920	102.343	160.3
49	A. Hornby	Yam	+37.525	102.147	160.7
50	R. Hodson	Duc	+37.666	102.101	169.6
51	D. Trappe	Kaw	+38.884	101.710	160.7
52	M. Sweeney	Yam	+43.544	100.238	165.8
53	R. Hughes	Kaw	+44.441	99.960	162.2
54	M. Morris	Duc	+45.275	99.703	154.4
55	A. Blanc	Hon	+46.148	99.435	159.6
56	L. Jeacock	Duc	+47.755	98.945	163.8
57	D. Booth	Kaw	+48.657	98.672	160.3
58	B. Burrell	Tri	+49.890	98.302	161.5
59	P. Cranston	Kaw	+51.781	97.739	156.6
60	S. Degnan	Kaw	+59.273	95.572	159.6
61	S. West	Duc	+59.479	95.514	162.2
62	A. McColgan	Duc	+1m20.935	89.814	157.3

NW200 Superstock Qualifying Times

Pos	Rider	Bike	Behind	Mph	Speed
1	M. Dunlop	BMW	–	122.578	202.2
2	R. Cooper	BMW	+0.404	122.390	201.0
3	D. Harrison	Hon	+0.897	122.162	203.4
4	S. Stacey	BMW	+4.280	120.618	201.6
5	J. Brookes	Hon	+5.171	120.218	202.8
6	P. Jordan	Hon	+5.344	120.141	196.3
7	M. Sweeney	BMW	+5.627	120.014	201.0
8	I. Hutchinson	BMW	+6.707	119.534	200.4
9	D. Herbertson	BMW	+6.842	119.475	191.8
10	J. McGuinness	Hon	+6.945	119.429	198.0
11	C. Phillips	BMW	+7.167	119.331	195.7
12	D. Johnson	Kaw	+8.820	118.607	192.9
13	D. Tweed	Hon	+8.820	118.607	199.2
14	G. McCoy	BMW	+9.619	118.260	199.2
15	M. Rees	Hon	+10.209	118.005	192.9
16	M. Browne	Hon	+10.568	117.850	197.5
17	S. West	BMW	+10.635	117.821	194.6
18	L. Hoffmann	BMW	+11.621	117.399	195.2
19	M. Simpson	Hon	+11.684	117.372	193.5
20	M. Bottalico	BMW	+12.394	117.070	192.4
21	K. Keyes	Hon	+12.588	116.988	187.6
22	J. Perry	Hon	+12.846	116.878	195.2
23	E. Ferre	Hon	+14.002	116.391	193.5
24	J. Trummer	BMW	+14.347	116.247	196.3
25	J. Chawke	BMW	+14.385	116.231	196.9
26	F. Bourne	Hon	+14.761	116.074	194.6
27	D. Gilbert	Yam	+16.166	115.491	190.2
28	E. Kostamo	BMW	+16.456	115.371	196.9
29	P. Crowe	BMW	+17.148	115.086	184.0
30	D. McMaster	Kaw	+17.835	114.805	189.1
31	R. Hodson	Hon	+18.944	114.355	196.9
32	M. Lennon	BMW	+19.269	114.223	187.0
33	M. Evans	Hon	+19.384	114.177	198.6
34	A. Blanc	Yam	+19.833	113.996	185.5
35	A. Spence	Hon	+20.026	113.918	199.8
36	I. Caljouw	Kaw	+21.082	113.495	188.6
37	F. Matthys	BMW	+21.670	113.261	192.4
38	R. Whitehall	Suz	+23.160	112.672	183.0
39	R. Hardisty	Hon	+23.246	112.639	195.2
40	M. Hewitt	BMW	+23.562	112.515	196.9
41	K. Duncan	Yam	+23.622	112.491	187.0
42	S. McTaggart	BMW	+23.767	112.434	182.5
43	F. Astner	BMW	+25.767	111.657	179.1
44	W. Bourgeais	Yam	+26.669	111.310	191.8
45	D. Brook	BMW	+27.995	110.803	191.3
46	B. Furber	Hon	+28.170	110.737	182.5
47	P. Röstlinger	Hon	+29.718	110.152	191.3
48	D. Anderson	Hon	+30.204	109.970	183.5
49	C. Kennelly	Hon	+31.630	109.438	186.5
50	N. Kernohan	BMW	+33.810	108.635	187.0
51	O. Lupberger	Yam	+34.787	108.280	179.5
52	L. Chawke	Suz	+35.168	108.141	183.5
53	L. Thornton	Hon	+36.203	107.768	172.2
54	D. Cleary	Suz	+36.476	107.670	188.1
55	E. Krchnavy	Kaw	+36.719	107.583	179.1
56	P. Hickman	BMW	+38.877	106.815	189.7
57	K. Brockie	Suz	+39.608	106.557	182.0
58	M. Morris	Hon	+46.096	104.324	169.2
59	S. Degnan	Kaw	+49.239	103.275	170.9
60	L. Jeacock	Hon	+53.474	101.895	167.5
61	G. Thomson	BMW	+56.231	101.016	172.6
62	K. Holan	Suz	+1m04.727	98.401	165.8
63	B. Burrell	BMW	+1m32.133	90.817	191.8
64	J. Polet	BMW	+1m32.647	90.685	162.2
65	D. Trappe	Kaw	+6m14.283	50.636	159.2

NW200 Supertwin / Sportbike Qualifying Times

Pos	Rider	Bike	Behind	Mph	Speed
1	P. Hickman	Yam	–	111.250	162.6
2	P. Jordan	Apr	+1.017	110.861	155.9
3	J. McWilliams	Yam	+1.648	110.622	163.0
4	A. Seeley	Apr	+4.775	109.449	158.1
5	M. Sweeney	Apr	+7.395	108.486	156.2
6	J. Coward	Pat	+7.473	108.457	159.6
7	C. Elkin	Apr	+7.705	108.373	161.1
8	M. Poncini	Apr	+8.039	108.252	155.5
9	F. Bourne	Pat	+9.859	107.595	157.7
10	J. Thompson	Apr	+10.147	107.492	158.4
11	D. Herbertson	Tri	+10.264	107.450	156.2
12	A. Venter	Apr	+10.549	107.348	159.2
13	A. Majola	Pat	+11.383	107.052	160.3
14	R. Hodson	Pat	+12.143	106.783	160.3
15	N. Kernohan	Apr	+13.265	106.388	153.7
16	K. Duncan	Apr	+13.903	106.165	156.6
17	B. Graham	Apr	+14.652	105.904	156.9
18	P. Y. Bian	Tri	+14.943	105.803	151.6
19	J. Loughlin	Yam	+15.532	105.599	159.9
20	D. McMaster	Kaw	+15.752	105.523	154.1
21	S. Brolly	Apr	+16.274	105.344	159.9
22	D. Ingham	Apr	+16.732	105.186	154.4
23	J. Chawke	Apr	+16.882	105.135	159.9
24	B. Furber	Yam	+17.238	105.013	159.2
25	S. Gorton	Apr	+17.363	104.971	156.9
26	B. Burrell	Tri	+17.528	104.914	146.7
27	G. McCoy	Kaw	+17.596	104.891	156.6
28	D. Tweed	Tri	+19.860	104.125	146.4
29	W. Bourgeais	Apr	+20.177	104.019	152.7
30	L. Hara	Apr	+21.147	103.695	152.7
31	K. Keyes	Yam	+24.427	102.614	140.9
32	A. Herd	Apr	+27.503	101.621	149.0
33	A. Hornby	Pat	+32.814	99.950	149.6
34	O. Morgan Edwards	Apr	+33.408	99.767	147.0
35	G. McAleese	Apr	+34.506	99.430	149.3
36	G. Mercier	Apr	+34.568	99.411	144.8
37	L. Osprey	Apr	+36.396	98.854	144.5
38	M. Gahan	Apr	+36.816	98.728	144.2
39	D. Trappe	Kaw	+39.044	98.060	143.6
40	M. Johnson	Kaw	+39.991	97.778	146.7
41	M. Allen	Apr	+43.921	96.629	142.7
42	M. Lennon	Kaw	+44.901	96.346	144.5
43	R. J. Woolsey	Kaw	+46.637	95.850	149.0
44	R. Peersman	Apr	+48.727	95.259	138.0
45	A. McColgan	Kaw	+4m14.216	59.308	142.0

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