Rutter finds form on return from injury

Michael Rutter has found a return to the sharp end of the action in the MCE British Superbike Championship, taking third place in Friday’s free practicing at Thruxton. Rutter was less than0.1 off fastest man Tommy Bridewell with his 1:15.938 lap, and only 0.039 from runaway championship leader Shane Byrne in second.

With the Bathams Ales BMW package being fast form the first round – as evidenced by Rutter’s speed trap performances at the ultra-fast North West 200 – the championship veteran says he knew that the Hampshire circuit would be one of the tracks that suited the team.

“The team have worked on a good setting and we’ve been on it from the word go. We know we’re going to have to improve on it, because everyone’s going to go quicker, but even though that was allying lap we’re happy with our race time too. I thought Brands Hatch, Oulton and Thruxton would be good for the BMW, but obviously I crashed on the Friday at Brands and wrecked it there! We’re getting a little better all the time, but everyone’s so fast that it’s hard!”

Rutter is also now fully recovered again from the injury that ruled him out of action at Brands Hatch, when he crashed out on the Friday and damaged his back, but was ruled fit after a suspected fractured vertebrae turned out to be fine.