Rutter set for BSB return with Gearlink

BSB veteran Michael Rutter will join the Gearlink Kawasaki squad for this weekend’s races at Brands Hatch, replacing Tyneside rider Joe Burns. Burns has parted with the squad after only once weekend with the team.

Failing to find a comfortable setting on the bike from day one, he sat out the opening two races of the year despite qualifying.

“We started making some big steps forward at Donington, but then hit another wall with set-up. I thought it might because by some of the parts on the bike, but when I asked if we could go back to basics and develop from there, the team weren’t willing.

Instead, his seat will now be taken over by BSB veteran Rutter, who found himself without a seat at the start of the season despite a competitive line-up of bikes for the Isle of Man TT. Backed by long-time sponsors Bathams, he isn’t expecting big things from his first weekend.

“It’s going to be difficult, and it didn’t quite work out for Joe – but sometimes that’s how it works in racing. Hopefully we can learn a bit from what he’s done though, and build from that. It isn’t just down to knowing what a bike does, either – it’s knowing all the people around you who can help you to make it work; and I can hopefully bring some of that. They’ve got the benefit of youth on their side, though!

“It’ll be great to get back out there – I’ve been in every BSB since they started and it was hard to walk around the paddock at Donington just watching. I won’t get out on the bike before Brands, though, so the weekend is going to be a big test session for us – and any place we get will be a good result.”