British Superbike News

Michael Rutter ensures a place in final showdown of BSB 2010

Michael Rutter continued his sensational form at Brands Hatch over last weekend, ensuring his place in the final six Title Fighters who will go into the final three round showdown to decide the British Superbike title.

Much against my initial judgement Michael Rutter has grown in stature as the season has gone on, he appears to be riding better than ever this season and it has been a joy to watch his fantastic riding style and commitment in recent races.

He has produced some of the most outrageous overtaking maneuvers always looking at one with his machine and his results speak for themselves, competing with a two year old Ducati against the latest machinery of the opposing teams.

Rutter claimed pole position for the RidersMotorcycles.com Ducati team on Saturday and was leading the race when it was red flagged due to the rain. In the re-start he finished in second place.

The first race on Sunday was also stopped due to an accident involving Andrew Pitt and Alastair Seeley, at this point Rutter was in second place. After the re-start he managed to finish the race in third place, a feat that was repeated in the final race of the day, giving Rutter three podium places over the weekend.

Rutter said:  “It’s been a brilliant weekend for the team. I think I could have gone with Sykes and Kiyo in Sunday’s first race but I just didn’t have the grip after five laps. The temperature had gone up and made the track greasy. I know it’s the same for everyone  – I could see Kiyo struggling too – but you were never quite sure of the grip levels and it seemed a better idea to score points rather than risking everything. I also had a battle with Michael Laverty in that one but it’s all about getting podium credits now so there was no way I was going to let him through.”

Team boss Phil Jessopp was delighted and said: “Everything is going to plan. Michael has now qualified for the final Showdown and we’re confident of a good run in those final three rounds. It’s a pity the organisers changed the point-scoring system for this year from the previous system of points counting from the entire season. The championship has never been more finely balanced with only 28 points covering the top five. But either way, the RidersMotorcycles.com Ducati is going to be up there battling for the title.”