Rutter rides to Macau podium despite traction control woes

Michael Rutter may have taken an impressive 16^th Macau Grand Prix podium finish on the Penz13.com BMW on Saturday’s 49^th running of the Asian road race – but the result didn’t come easy to the most successful Macau rider ever, after a last minute issue with his S1000RR’s electronics.

“I went off the line and the traction control light immediately came on, which basically meant that everything shut down! I had to learn how to ride the bike again because it kept wheeling everywhere and I dropped back to fifth as a result.

“However, I was able to be a bit smoother on the throttle because the traction control light saved the back tyre a bit and I managed to get myself back up to third.”

Taking an impressive result after being forced to battle all race long with teammate Gary Johnson and former winners John McGuinness and Ian Hutchinson, the nine-time winner says that up against two racers much more familiar machinery, he’s pleased with the result.

“We had very hot conditions throughout the week but the track was in good condition and I was happy to finish third and get another rostrum. The result was what I expected to be fair as Peter and Martin have been riding their bikes all year in BSB and it was always going to be a tough ask to beat those two!”