Michael Rutter was in sensational form at Brands Hatch this weekend, scoring three podium places on the RidersMotorcycles.com Ducati to move into fourth place in the BSB point standings.
Rutter took pole position on Saturday and was a clear leader in the afternoon’s first race of the weekend until rain brought out the red flag. The race was restarted in the wet and Rutter finished a lone second.
Sunday’ races were run in much more favourable dry conditions and Rutter again was in the thick of the action. In the first race he made another great start and was holding second place when the race was stopped for a crash involving Alastair Seeley and Andrew Pitt.
From the restart, Rutter made the holeshot and finished third and then repeated the result after another great ride later in the day – the weekend netting him a valuable four podium credits.
With one race meeting at Cadwell left in the regular season, Rutter has already qualified as one of the six Title Fighters who will go into the final three-round Showdown to decide the Britsh Superbike title.
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.”
