British Superbike News

Michael Rutter 2008

Michael Rutter has been confirmed as one of the three riders for the Rob Mac Racing Yamaha team alongside Chris Walker and British youngster Graeme Gowland for the 2009 season.

Rob McElnea, the team principle, said,

“This is the most excited my team have been for many years, the brand new R1 has us all fired up and now to be able to announce our new rider line up really sets us up a nice Christmas!

Chris Walker and Michael Rutter will be both very serious title contenders, their experience and consistency will prove to be the major part to our success and at the same time help develop our young riders.”

Rutter said,

“I’m looking forward to the new bike and a fresh challenge.  I’ve not ridden a Yamaha since 2000, which was a successful year for me.

The championship is open wide this year and I believe that the Yamaha will be really competitive.  So it’s all new for this year, it’ll be good to get out on the roads too for a good variety of racing.  2009 looks set to be a good year.”

Walker said,

“I’m so excited!  It’s mega to be back with Rob, the person who first gave me a serious ride in Superbikes almost ten years ago.

Rob’s team has so much experience so I can’t wait to get on the new R1, and now with Michael in the team, it will mean we can pool our great experience and help develop the bike and be on the pace right from the word go.”

Gowland said,

“I am really excited about next year, I have always wanted to work with Rob since the R6 Cup and now I have the opportunity.  I can’t wait to start riding the superbike and I am looking forward to riding in Britain again.

I am also really happy to be riding for Yamaha once again after winning the British Under 21 Motocross Championship in 2004 for them and starting my road racing career onboard an R6.  I want to say a big thank you to Rob for giving me this chance and to everyone who has helped put this together.”

There is to be no major Ducati team for in 2009 for the first time since 1995, as the North West 200 are continuing to back Rutter with his switch to the Yamaha team.

Chris Walker will be backed by two other new sponsors for the 2009 season, Motorpoint and Henderson Insurance.