Bruce Anstey was fastest in the opening practice session

New Zealand rider Bruce Anstey set the pace in Tuesday night's practice session for the North West 200.

Anstey clocked 121.63mph on his Relentless TAS Suzuki in the Superbikes and he was followed by John McGuinness, Keith Amor and Steve Plater.

Alistair Seeley from Carrickfergus was fastest in the Superstocks at 120.10 while Michael Dunlop's 117.94 put him top in the Supersport 600 class.

Christian Elkin (250s) and Davy Lemon (125s) also posted quickest times.

Anstey has secured nine victories in the North West 200 and the Kiwi must be fancied to get into double figures on Saturday.

His Relentless team-mate Cameron Donald and Michael Rutter completed the Superbikes top six.

Plater, who spearheads the Honda challenge alongside McGuinness, started the week as favourite after his hat-trick on the north coast last year.

Seeley won the Supersport race in 2008 and the AIM Yamaha rider was impressive in practice with Donald and Anstey next best.

Michael Dunlop, the 250 winner last year, edged out Plater in the Supersport 600 with Amor third fastest.

The riders will be back out on Thursday night for the second practice session.

Tuesday practice results:

Superbikes
1/ B Anstey 121.63mph
2/ J McGuinness 120.99
3/ K Amor 119.89
4/ S Plater 119.48
5/ C Donald 119.42
6/ M Rutter 119.05

Superstocks
1/ A Seeley 120.10
2/ C Donald 119.35
3/ B Anstey 119.16
4/ R Farquhar 118.95
5/ G Johnson 118.73
6/ K Amor 118.63

Supersport 600
1/ M Dunlop 117.94
2/ S Plater 117.19
3/ K Amor 116.17
4/ B Anstey 116.03
5/ I Hutchinson 115.98
6/ W Dunlop 115.93

250
1/ C Elkin 106.67
2/ M Dunlop 106.62
3/ J McGuinness 105.71

125
1/ D Lemon 100.63
2/ W Dunlop 100.10
3/ D Linsdell 99.66

Thursday 14 May practice schedule:

Roads close - 5.00pm to 9.30pm

Practice order - Newcomers (Tuesday night only), 250cc and 125cc; Superbikes and Superstocks; Supersports.

Saturday 16 May race schedule:

Roads close - 10.00am to 7.00pm

Race order -
Race 1 - Greenline 250cc
Race 2 - DeWalt Superbike Race 1
Race 3 - Supersport 600cc Race 1
Race 4 - McKendry Fabrication 125cc
Race 5 - CP Hire Superstock Race
Race 6 - Blackhorse NW200 Superbike Race 2
Race 7 - Ballymoney Borough Council Supersport 600cc Race 2

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