Macau Grand Prix: Steve Plater sets the pace in practice

Steve Plater set the pace in the first day of qualifying session for Saturday’s 41st Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix.

Steve Plater, last year’s Macau GP winner, lapped the 3.85mile street circuit in 2min 27.98sec on his AIM Yamaha, 0.82s quicker than John McGuinness, the Isle of Man TT hero riding a Stobart Honda for this event.

Michael Rutter was quickest in the morning’s free practice with the Aviva Kawasaki – the re-liveried Isilon MSS ZX-10 he’s raced in British Superbikes this year – but dropped to third overall in the qualifying session.

Guy Martin, on his third appearance in the GP, was fourth overall riding the Hydrex Honda he raced on the roads this year but branded as Solent Scientific for this meeting.

Thomas Hinterreiter was fifth overall with a Yamaha Austria R1 followed by Americans Jeremy Toye – riding a Lee’s Cycles Yamaha – and Mark Miller on Corona Extra Honda.

Steve Allen completed the front row on his AIM Yamaha R6, the highest-placed supersport rider.

Martin Finnegan was running with Michael Rutter in qualifying until his MV Agusta stopped out on the circuit and he dropped to 14th in the final times.