Easton makes brave and impressive return to NW200

Stuart Easton made an impressive return to the International North West 200 earlier today after a two year absence. The Hawick star finished the opening Supersport practice session in fifth position on his Mar-Train Racing R6 Yamaha, despite difficult conditions.

Easton also made a solid start to his Superbike return on the north coast aboard his Mar-Train Racing R1 Yamaha, with a steady thirteenth place recorded prior to Thursday's final sessions for both classes. This will be followed by a three race programme on Thursday evening for Supersport [6pm], Supertwin [7pm] and Superstock [8pm]. Roads will close at 5.15pm.

Stuart Easton:

“Conditions were slightly iffy at the start, but it was the same for everybody, although we qualified well on the Supersport bike and were just a few seconds off the pace. I’m quite happy with that, as I know the bike pretty well now having ridden it in the opening three British Supersport rounds. It’s just a matter of getting back into the North West 200 circuit groove now, as I know there’s a lot, lot more to come. With the Superbike, we have a few things we need to change, but on the whole, competing on a new bike with very few miles, it’s not a bad start to be honest.”

Tim Martin – Team Principal:

“Taking the conditions into consideration in the morning, it was a good run today. P5 is satisfying enough in the Supersport class, even though Stuart struggled to get a clear lap, but as usual he was able to give the boys positive feedback, so I’m happy with that. We have a few adjustments to make on the Superbike but we’re content with today and are looking forward now to Thursday’s practice and racing.”

Supersport First Qualifying

 John McGuinness [Honda] 4min: 48.334sec

Bruce Anstey [Honda] +1.317sec

Guy Martin [Suzuki] +1.955

William Dunlop [Milwaukee Yamaha] +2.162

Stuart Easton [Yamaha] +3.225

Michael Dunlop [Honda] +3.813

James Hillier [Kawasaki] +6.207

Conor Cummins [Milwaukee Yamaha] +8.053

Cameron Donald [Honda] 8.964

Michael Sweeney [Yamaha] +11.248

Superbike First Qualifying

 Michael Dunlop [Honda] 4min:33.173

Bruce Anstey [Honda] +7.615sec

Dean Harrison [Kawasaki] +9.712

Josh Brookes [Suzuki] +10.407

William Dunlop [Milwaukee Yamaha] +10.592

Michael Rutter [Honda] +10.756

Cameron Donald [Honda] +12.249

John McGuinness [Honda] +14.842

Conor Cummins [Milwaukee Yamaha] +15.457

Ben Wylie [BMW] +18.086

Stephen Thompson [Suzuki] +19.564

Jonathan Howarth [Kawasaki] +22.085

Stuart Easton [Mar-Train Racing] +22.555

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