Rutter expects 200mph

The prospect of the top men hitting 200mph in this year’s North-West 200 is a real one says seven-time winner Michael Rutter

For the full story on Rutter’s North-West 200 predictions, don’t miss the latest issue of MCN, out Wednesday May 15.

Rutter told MCN: ” They’ve moved the speed trap from the run to Metropole to University, so I think you’ll see us clocking official 200mph top speeds for the first time. The R1 I raced in 2000 was geared for a theoretical 205mph, but I think it did 190-195mph in reality. ”

The Renegade Ducati star will pitch his 170bhp 998R against David Jefferies on a GSX-R1000 and Jim Moodie on an R1 to defend the three titles he won in the last NW200 in 2000.