Mallory Park British Superbikes: Michael Rutter takes first win of season in tricky conditions

NW200 Ducati rider Michael Rutter has taken his first victory of the season at Mallory Park in race two which started wet and ended dry.

Michael Laverty led the race from the beginning until he crashed out on lap four. Relentless Suzuki rider Laverty tried to restart the race but was unable to carry on and retired to the pits one lap later.

Championship leader Shane Byrne finished second after holding off Cal Crutchlow, who caught up to Shakey in the later stages of the race when the track dried out and Crutchlows slick tyres worked better.

Shakey said: “We went with an intermediate front tyre and a slick rear, but the track dried out quick and then my front tyre was horrendous. I’m pleased for Michael [Rutter] winning at his home track. It’s good for the old boy!”

Race winner Michael Rutter chose both front and back slicks and was able to keep his lead when the track dried out: “It was a dream, because we had an awful first race having to start from the back of the grid and then I crashed. Anything can happen in racing.”

Pole position man Tom Sykes got a good start at the beginning of the race but could only manage fourth place at the end of the race, in front of Karl Harris. 

Simon Andrews rode a good race, moving up to second place in front of Leon Haslam for part of the race. Simon Andrews eventually finished in seventh.

HM Plant Honda rider Leon Haslam was upto third at one stage in the race but the drying conditions made it tricky and he finished in sixth.

Leon Camier finished eighth after having a terrible start. Camier was all the way down in 16th at one point in the race, but was able to find form in the second half of the race.