Lee Johnston clinched a dramatic victory in the opening Supersport race at the North West 200 as Alastair Seeley crashed out on the final lap.
Seeley was thrown off his bike after going in too hot at Juniper Chicane as he diced for the lead.
That left Fermanagh rider Johnston to claim a big win, with Dean Harrison second ahead of third-placed James Hillier.
"I have had a bad few years, so this feels so good," Johnston (Ashcourt Yamaha) beamed afterwards.
"It is good to be back with a team who believes in me and are building me good bikes.
North West 200 qualifying times as Glenn Irwin snatches pole in Superbike class
"I just felt proper comfortable and my riding showed that.
"Alastair (Seeley) is so good and you don’t know when he is playing with you or not. I just decided to have a go going into Juniper, and I knew where my braking point was.
"Fair play if Alastair made it. That’s my fourth North West 200 win and hopefully there is more to come.”
Meanwhile, Peter Hickman confirmed his pole position in the Superstocks with a commanding victory in race two.
Hickman eventually eased clear on the Smiths Racing BMW to finish ahead of second placed Glenn Irwin and Michael Dunlop who completed the podium.
Carrick rider Irwin said afterwards: "It is my first ever race on the Superstock bike and I was slow at the start but grew into it.
"Saturday's second Superstock race might be tight. Roll on Saturday.”
North West 200: Glenn Irwin hoping to prove doubters wrong as bike struggles continue
And in the Supertwins Stefano Bonetti became the first ever Italian winner at the North West 200.
Bonetti held off the challenge of Jamie Coward to win by 0.579 seconds.
Michael Rutter was third.
Results
Supersport Race 1
1. Lee Johnston
2. Dean Harrison +0.730secs
3. James Hillier +1.649
Superstock Race 1
1. Peter Hickman
2. Glenn Irwin +1.895 secs
3. Michael Dunlop +12.228
Supertwin Race 1
1. Stefano Bonetti
2. Jamie Coward +0.579 secs
3. Michael Rutter +7.428 secs
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