Source: Honda Racing.

Michael Rutter made hay in the glorious sunshine during the opening practice for the Vauxhall International North West 200 on Tuesday.

The Batham’s Brewery sponsored rider topped the Superbike practice on his S1000RR BMW and finished in the top three in the Superstock and Supersport sessions.

“It is like the old days.” the 13 times North West winner beamed afterwards. “It is a really nice way to start things off and although we have a few little issues to resolve all the bikes are going really well.”

He went on to post a 121.106mph lap on his BMW superbike to pip Alastair Seeley on the Mar-Train Kawasaki to take provisional pole. Australia’s Josh Brookes was sixth on his Milwaukee Yamaha YZF-R1 with a 118.525mph lap.

William Dunlop was the only local rider who managed to top one of the four timed sessions, taking the honours in the Supersport class on the Tyco Suzuki GSX-R600. Meanwhile, Brookes rode his YZF-R6 to ninth at 112.164mph.

“It was a great start to the day and it is great to have this great weather.” the Ballymoney man smiled before complaining that it was “too hot!”

“I have always been happy with the Suzuki chassis but it seems that both the Tyco boys and Metzeler have found something else for the 600 because it is really fast as a pole position around here proves.”

Austrian Horst Saiger was the surprise leader in the Superstock class on the dominant ZX-10R Kawasakis with Rutter slotting in behind on his stock version of the BMW S1000RR.