Michael Rutter and Peter Hickman join MSS Kawasaki

Michael Rutter and Peter Hickman will line up in BSB this year for MSS Colchester Kawasaki.

The two riders signed their contracts last Thursday at the team’s base in Colchester.

For Rutter, the elder statesman of BSB, it’s a return to the team he last rode for in 2007 and he said: “I think the ZX-10 is as good as anything out there and I know Morgan runs a great team.

“I spoke to Stuart (Easton, who rode for MSS last year until suffering serious injury at the NW200). He was well up there last year on this bike and he said, ‘it steers like a Honda.’

“I can blame Stuart if it doesn’t work for me but steering and ride-ability are the two key elements and the ZX-10 appears to have both.”

For Hickman is a chance in a manufacturer-backed team after an impressive 2011 season on the privateer Quay Honda.

Hickman said: “This is the biggest team I’ve ridden for. They are a well-established BSB team and have good people. I just want to crack on now and ride the bike.”

Team owner Nick Morgan added: “Michael had some stonking rides last year and I liked his willingness to fight. He was really getting stuck in. Peter did a really good job with Quay last year. He’s young and excited about racing.

“Both their styles of riding will be so well suited to the bike without traction or anti-wheelie.”

Read the exclusive interviews in MCN today (Wednesday, February 1).