NW200: Richard Cooper wins maiden Supersport race after key rival Davey Todd wiped out in first-lap drama

Todd was leading on the Powertoolmate Ducati when he was hit by Adam McLean, who appeared to lose the front of his J McC Roofing Racing Kawasaki machine, taking both riders out.

That left Cooper with clear road ahead of him and the Nottingham man streaked away on the BPE by Russell Racing Yamaha to seal his fifth victory at the event.

Peter Hickman (Trooper Triumph by PHR) edged past Michael Dunlop (MD Racing Triumph) to grab the runner-up spot on the last lap.

Pole man Cooper led at University on lap one from Dunlop, with Hickman third.

Cooper’s lead was 1.2s over Dunlop at the end of the opening lap, with Hickman giving chase.

Cork’s Mike Browne was down in 14th place after losing ground on lap one following the incident involving Todd and McLean.

Cooper began to edge clear and had opened a gap of three seconds over Dunlop after the second lap, with Hickman 1.1s further adrift.

The trio pulled clear of a fierce battle for fourth featuring Michael Evans, Conor Cummins, Paul Jordan, Jeremy McWilliams, Gary McCoy and Craig Neve.

Cooper had upped the ante and was 5.4s ahead of Dunlop in second after the third lap, who was now coming under pressure from fellow Triumph rider Hickman.

With Cooper safe in the lead, all eyes were on the fight for the runner-up spot as Hickman harried the Ulster rider on the final lap.

It seemed inevitable a pass was coming and Hickman made his move on the brakes into Metropole to snatch second from Dunlop and had enough in hand to nail down the runner-up sport.

Cooper was 6.573s ahead at the finish as he celebrated his fifth North West 200 win and his first in the Supersport class.

Cooper’s team-mate Mike Browne clawed his way through the field to take a fighting fourth.

Jordan (Jackson Racing Honda) and Cummins (Milenco by Padgett’s Honda) finalised the top six ahead of impressive Manx rider Evans on the Smith Racing Triumph.

McWilliams was eighth on the J McC Roofing Racing Yamaha followed by Cookstown man McCoy (Madbros Racing Suzuki).