British Superbike News

Michael Rutter - BSB - Knockhill 2010

The Ridersmotorcylces.com rider Michael Rutter claimed his first win in two-years at this weekends British Superbike championship and the first ever for the team.

The second race of the day was cancelled due to a crash under horrendous weather conditions which saw the first race restarted three times as the heavens opened.

The first start ended after heavy rain fell on the track with only 2 laps completed, causing a delay of the restart of 90 minutes as the downpour continued.  As the restart got underway an accident on lap 3 saw the second red flag as Chris Walker and Dan Linfoot crashed out spilling mud across the circuit which needed to be cleared.

At the third start it was Josh Brookes who led the pack from pole position followed by Michael Rutter and Ryuichi Kiyonari.

On lap 6 Kiyonari put his HM Plant Honda in front of both riders to take the lead but as a dry line began to develop on the soaked circuit, Rutter slipped past Brookes and was on the tail of  the Honda rider.

Rutter made his move with 5 laps of the shortened 15 lap race to take the lead remaining at the front until he crossed the finish line ahead of Kiyonari and Brookes.

Relentless Suzuki rider Michael Laverty crossed the line in fourth place followed by Alastair Seeley in fifth, John Laverty in sixth, Simon Andrews in seventh, Tommy Hill in eighth, Gary Mason in ninth and Chris Walker in tenth.

Rutter said after the race;

“This is brilliant, not just for me but for the team. It’s great to back as a championship contender and it’s even better to be standing on top of the podium again.

The conditions played into my hands a bit but I was desperate to get past the Hondas and run my own race. I know the race was shortened but it’s a win none the less in far from ideal conditions.”

As the warm-up lap of race two got underway the rain once again began to fall followed by a six-bike pile-up after Simon Andrews fell off his Kawasaki at turn 1.  As the clean up began and the rain subsided the wind began to gust across the track leading to officials to cancel the second race.

Here are the results;

1.  Michael Rutter  GBR Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati  13mins 32.658s
2. Ryuichi Kiyonari JPN HM Plant Honda +0.577s
3. Josh Brookes AUS HM Plant Honda +6.187s
4. Michael Laverty GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki +9.363s
5. Alastair Seeley GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki +13.285s
6. John Laverty GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +18.708s
7. Simon Andrews GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +21.149s
8. Tommy Hill GBR Worx Crescent Suzuki +23.233s
8=. Gary Mason GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +23.233s
10. Chris Walker GBR CW Suzuki +28.717
11. Andrew Pitt AUS Motorpoint Yamaha +29.831s
12. Gary Johnson GBR AIM Suzuki +30.312s
13. David Johnson AUS Two Brothers BMW +31.077s
14. Christian Iddon GBR Sorrymate.com SMT Honda +32.288s
15. Tom Tunstall GBR Doodson Motorsport Honda +34.394s

DNS Dan Linfoot GBR Motorpoint Yamaha