Michael Rutter gets Worx Suzuki for Knockhill

Michael Rutter will get a third BSB meeting on the Worx Suzuki while contracted rider Sylvain Guintoli recovers from the injuries he sustained at Donington in May.

The Verwood-based team have confirmed Rutter will race at Knockhill, round six of the BSB series on July 5.

Rutter said: “I’m delighted to be back with the team for another round. I’m enjoying working with them and, as I’ve said before, the Suzuki is a great bike. Hopefully this time we can secure the podium finishes we’ve been looking for.

“I always look forward to Knockhill. It’s a great circuit to ride. I had a good outing here last season, getting on the podium. My feeling is the Suzuki is such a good all-round package that it’ll work well here, as it has at every circuit.

“I’m really looking forward to getting back on the front row and mixing it up the lads at the front.”

Rutter was initially drafted into the team just two days before the Thruxton round. He qualified the GSX-R1000 front row then went on to claim two fifth place finishes.

Last weekend, at Snetterton, Rutter was again on the pace in practice, finishing second fastest. However a sudden downpour of rain in qualifying saw Rutter relegated to the fourth row of the grid.

In the first race he battle through from his 20th place grid slot to finish seventh and was again quickly up into the top-ten in the second race until technical issues forced him out.

“We said before Snetterton that Michael’s performance there would determine whether he’d stay with the team,” said team boss Jack Valentine.

“Fact was Michael really impressed us with his lap times. When everything was working well he was very fast. He showed he could produce the times necessary to make podium finishes.

“My feeling is that, because of the technical issues we encountered, Michael didn’t get a fair crack of the whip and – supported by the times he did – he deserves another go.”