NW200: Jessopp records 208 in speed trap

Ducati star Jessopp - who is competing in the World Supersport Championship this season - smashed Scotsman Stuart Easton’s previous best speed of 204mph on the frighteningly fast blast from Station Corner to University, but it was Tyco Suzuki hero Seeley who led the way in the premier Superbike class.

The Carrick rider was over three seconds faster than Honda TT Legends rider and Isle of Man master John McGuinness, with another Northern Ireland star, William Dunlop, third on Co Londonderry team boss Wilson Craig’s Honda Fireblade.

Jessopp’s mind-boggling feat created a massive buzz around the 8.9-mile circuit on a cold and blustery North Coast yesterday, but the Yeovil man could only finish fifth on the time-sheets behind Seeley’s Tyco Suzuki team-mate and serial tea drinker Guy Martin.

Tuesday’s Qualifying Times

SUPERBIKE:

1 A Seeley 120.69mph

2 J McGuinness 119.25

3 W Dunlop 118.43

4 G Martin 117.91

5 M Jessopp 117.61

6 I Hutchinson 117.56

SUPERSPORT:

1 A Seeley 113.24mph

2 G Martin 112.87

3 J McGuinness 112.41

4 W Dunlop 112.16

5 G Johnson 110.92

6 S Bonnetti 110.36

SUPERSTOCK:

1 R Farquhar 117.55mph

2 A Seeley 117.34

3 J McGuinness 116.63

4 W Dunlop 115.53

5 S Thompson 115.04

6 B Anstey 115.03

SUPERTWIN:

1 A Archibald 104.35mph

2 M Rutter 104.03

3 J Hillier 103.85

4 R Farquhar 103.84

5 J Hamilton 103.60

6 W Davison 101.34