Michael Rutter wins Sunflower Trophy

Michael Rutter headed his North West 200 team-mate, John Laverty, at this year’s Sunflower Trophy in Northern Ireland.

Laverty headed the early stages of the race on Sunday – an impressive feat on his first competitive ride of the full-blown Ducati 1098 F08 rather than his Superstock-spec 1098R that he won the championship on.

But after swapping the lead, Rutter proved his years of experience by taking the chequered flag after breaking away from his team-mate.

Chris Walker took third spot on the Vent Axia Honda Fireblade ahead of six-time Sunflower Trophy winner, Michael Laverty on the Relentless by TAS Suzuki.

Organisers decided to make it a double-header for the Superbike class with a race on the Saturday as well due to poor weather predictions for Sunday.

Michael Laverty made it six wins in successive years in that race while his team-mate Ian Lowry took the Supersport class win.