Valentine picks ‘safe option’ Rutter

Worx Suzuki boss Jack Valentine has picked Michael Rutter to stand in for injured Sylvain Guintoli at Thruxton this weekend.

But even though Guintoli is likely to be out for the full season, Rutter’s ride is a one-off deal for the present.

Valentine said: “Because Thruxton is such a quick turnaround we asked Michael to ride this weekend. It’s a safe option since we know he goes well there and we know the bike is good.

“We weren’t prepared to rush into discussions about the longer term. Our first thoughts we to make sure Sylvain was comfortable. Then we wanted to sort something for Thruxton. Then we’ll take a good long look at what to do for the future.

“If Michael goes well, there’s a chance he could continue to ride the bike. This weekend is a great opportunity for him. But we want time to explore all of the options before making a decision.”