Rutter’s hopes dashed at Knockhill

Sunday’s Knockhill BSB didn’t bring the kind of results Michael Rutter and the Worx Crescent Suzuki were looking for.

Rear grip issues affected Rutter’s progress in the first race and he finished 11th and a crash at the hairpin while in fifth place brought his second race to a premature end.    

Rutter said “It’s been a tough day, I’m very disappointed. Through the lead up to the racing we’ve shown what’s possible, we were front row again, and podiums are clearly there for the taking – there’s absolutely nothing wrong with this bike and team.

“In that first race we started okay, I held position in the opening laps but by lap six I could feel the rear tyre performance dropping off badly. Despite being the same tyre we used in practice and qualifying, come the race we weren’t getting the same grip.

“For a while I was able to hold on to sixth, but when the safety car came out everyone closed on to me. So when we got the green light again I just couldn’t go and that was the end of it.

“We went for a harder tyre for the second race and that worked well. We were secure in fifth when on the 20th lap, on the run to the hairpin I ran in too deep. The rear came up so I couldn’t turn, I let the brake off to regain control, but that put me wide and off the circuit. Game over.

“I’ve got to thank the team for these past three rounds. They’ve worked so hard to give me everything they can. And we’ve got a couple of half decent finishes along the way, but the results they need and I want just haven’t come. I can put so much down to bad luck but the rest – well, it’s about racing. If it was easy everyone would do it.”

Rutter had been hoping for a strong weekend in order to convince the team they should retain him for the rest of the year or at least until injured Sylvain Guintoli returns.

But already the rumours are circulating the BSB paddock that the team may give out-of-work Tommy Hill a test on the bike – and Brendan Roberts name has also been touted as a possible replacement.

Team boss Jack Valentine didn’t comment on the rumours but said: “There’s not much I can add to what Michael’s already said. We’re disappointed, we can’t deny that. But also we all feel for Michael. Two front row qualifying performances from three is evidence of his speed. Even today there were times we could feel hopeful. But the results just haven’t come.

“So, we have to face it, we’re in a position again where we need to find a solution to get us back to the sharp end of the racing.”