The Woodhall Spa motorcycle ace started with the DeWait Performance Tools Superbike event run over five laps of the 8.966-mile Triangle Course that runs on public roads between the towns of Portrush, Portstewart and Coleraine.

Starting the race from a second row grid position, Plater was fifth by the end of lap and up with the leading group. He eventually finished fourth, just two tenths of a second behind the winner.

The Club SOL Portrush Supersport race saw Plater start from pole position. Although he lost some ground early on by the final lap, he had shot to the front ahead of Alistair Seeley, Bruce Anstey and his AIM teammate Ian Hutchinson and maintained his lead to take his first ever class win at the NW200, beating Bruce Anstey's existing lap record by nearly two seconds with a lap of 4m 30.792s (119.197mph).

In the day's feature race, The Blackhorse Motorcycle Finance NW200 Superbike race, which Plater had won in 2006 and 2007, he quickly slotted into second place but on the run to Metropole fell back to fifth behind Michael Rutter. However, by lap two he had worked his way into third place and in the final lap eased past Rutter and Cameron Donald to claim his third successive win in the event.

Plater had little time for podium celebrations, as he was straight back out on track for the final race of the day, which saw him claim his third victory.

*Steve travels to the Isle of Man to begin his practice for the TT races this weekend. Practice begins on Saturday and a full programme of racing is scheduled to start the following Saturday, May 31 through to Friday, June 6.