If you want an idea of how much the conditions have improved, Richard Cooper's Supersport time was faster than his top Superbike time by two tenths of a second.

It's getting better, and fast.

Limerick rider Liam Chawke on BBC iPlayer:

"There is a bit of mixed weather here this morning, so it is fun and games, slipping and sliding.

"The sun is coming up and we are making a few adjustments so we will see in the next 10 minutes.

"The track is dry from Magic Roundabout to here [the paddock] but then wet from here to there."

Hoffmann's by MRP's Laurent Hoffmann speaking on BBC iPlayer:

"There are guys from all over Europe. Some Finnish, French, of course myself, Belgian, and also German. From all over, they came here."

"The NW200 is the biggest event over here and in Europe, it is huge and watched live.

"The link [for the stream] has already been sent and other riders have already been saying that they have already seen me riding!"

Seven-time North West 200 race winner Richard Cooper on BBC iPlayer after the Superbike session:

"For me, the bike is very, very new.

"The more laps I can do on the bike, the better. We came in and put new tyres on it and I just got a feel for things, no heroics, I was just getting a feel.

"Conditions were strange, at one point I thought it was getting better then the next corner, it wasn't.

"For me, the 600 is probably my best shot and from there, we will see."

Times continue to fall as Richard Cooper leads the way by 2.5 seconds over Jeremy McWilliams.

Dean Harrison, Peter Hickman and Alastair Seeley round out the top five.

Michael Dunlop is only 12th. It's not been his day so far, he only managed two Superbike laps earlier on, too.

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In case you missed the breaking news this morning, Michael Dunlop has decided not to ride his new Ducati V4 bike here at the North West 200 to allow for more development of the bike.

The Ballymoney rider went out on a Honda in the Superbike session instead with the backing of his Hawk Racing team.

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Milenco by Padgett's Racing rider Mitch Rees is making his second appearance at the North West 200 this year.

The New Zealander made his debut 12 months ago.

He is pictured here chatting with former Padgett's rider Davey Todd.

Image source, BBC Sport

Times are now well under the five-minute barrier as the track continues to dry.

Dean Harrison leads the way with a 4:55.676 ahead of Alastair Seeley, who is just under a second back, and Ian Hutchinson.

Philip McCallen
11-time race winner on the BBC Sport website

If the rain stops and the bikes go over the roads for a few laps, it dries really quickly. We are really lucky.

Lee Johnston
Five-time winner on BBC iPlayer

Dunlop doesn't need to follow anyone to learn anything, he knows all the tricks of the trade.

He will want to get a nice clean ride, get the information on and do the job he needs to do.

The old hand Jeremy McWilliams is the early pacesetter ahead of Ian Hutchinson and Dean Harrison.

Only half a second splits the three of them.

Image source, Pacemaker

Having a 'wheely' good time

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What have you thought of the action so far?

Let us know what you think by using the 'Get involved' icon at the top of the page.

Steve Parrish
BBC Sport NI commentator

I like the Supersport class. For me, it is the one that doesn't happen unnecessarily quickly like a Superbike, but it is just a nice class to ride in.

KTS Racing's Dominic Herbertson speaking on BBC iPlayer:

"I can't help but smile.

"To be back at the North West 200 and to be going around on a Superbike for the first time, I have definitely woken up!

The 600s are out on track for their first session.

The rain has now stopped and things have brightened up, but the track is definitely still wet.

Mad Bros Racing's Gareth McCoy on BBC iPlayer:

"Hopefully the bad weather will get it out of its system today.

"The weather doesn't help the confidence, but I just want to get the laps and get the confidence back again.

"I had 22 broken bones, punctured ribs and a bleed in the brain [last year]. It was a rough year, but I have a great team around me and family.

"We will get the heads down and work away."