THE TT Zero bikes had their first taste of the TT mountain course last night when they finally held their first practice session after a day of delayed racing.

Ten machines are confirmed to compete in the 2010 TT Zero race including London-based Ecolve, Agni Racing who have two bikes, University teams Brunel and Kingston, MotoCzysz from America, Isle of Man-based ManTTx Racing, Austria’s HTBLAUVA – XX Project, SERT (Swedish Electric Racing Team) and Germany’s Peace E Rider.

TT riders participating include Mark Miller, Jenny Tinmouth, George Spence, Rob Barber, Martin Loicht, Paul Owen, James McBride, Mark Buckley, Chris Palmer and Shaun Gilbertson.

The teams are chasing a ?10,000 prize which the Isle of Man Government has put up for the first team to record a 100 mph lap around the iconic 37.75 mile course which was first achieved by Bob McIntyre in 1957 on a conventional bike.

American Mark Miller on the MotoCzysz E1PC quickly set the pace in the first qualifying session with a time of 93.390 mph to Glen Helen, closely followed by Team Agni’s defending champion Rob Barber who recorded 91.586 mph at the first timing point.

Miller extended his lead to Ballaugh with a time of 96.327 and was recorded at an incredible 99.520 at Ramsey with Rob Barber not far behind at 96.670. Chris Palmer recorded 80.913 to be tucked into third place.

However the battle royale for first practice honours eventually ended when the MotoCzysz effort encountered problems and faltered after Cronk ny Mona leaving Team Agni and Rob Barber to record the fastest lap at 84.875 mph. The Americans at least had the consolation of completing their first lap on the Isle of Man with a time of 74.668 mph.

The second TT Zero practice takes place on Monday with the race scheduled for Wednesday 9th June at 4.30 pm.