Monday, November 21 2011
Michael Rutter is in the running for a seventh Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix victory after a fantastic display in Saturday’s qualifying session. Rutter took control during qualifying stages, as heavy rain and bad conditions calmed down.
The Riders Motorcycles rider almost matched his 2010 pole time to take a full three second advantage over his closest rival, John McGuinness, a former Macau GP winner in his own right. However, the 39 year old firmly refuses to get carried away ahead of Sunday’s race: “Even though my time was similar to last year, it means nothing. We have to wait until tomorrow and the race to see if I really can win.”
McGuinness’ hopes of threatening Rutter’s pole time of 2:23.794 were dashed by traffic, he admitted: “every time I got close, Rutter did a better time”.
After a tough year as he strived to return from injury, Ian Hutchinson marked his comeback with an impressive third for Swan Yamaha. ‘Hutchy’ will be followed by Martin Jessopp and TT 2011 race winner Gary Johnson, after the British riders sealed a lockout of the top five places.
The American challenge will be led by Jeremy Toye and Michael Barnes who start sixth and seventh respectively, while neither of the local riders, Joao Fernandes and Sou Sio Hong managed to qualify outright.
Qualifying Results:
Position Rider Nationality Machine Team
1 Michael Rutter GBR Ducati RidersMotorcycles.com
2 John McGuinness GBR Honda Roadhouse SMT Honda
3 Ian Hutchinson GBR Yamaha Swan Yamaha
4 Martin Jessopp GBR Ducati RidersMotorcycles.com
5 Gary Johnson GBR Suzuki IGT Suzuki by TAS
6 Jeremy Toye USA Kawasaki IGT Kawasaki Racing Team
7 Michael Barnes USA Kawasaki Attack Performance Kawasaki
8 James Storrar GBR BMW IseeMacau.com BMW by DMR
9 Rico Penzkofer GER BMW Penz13.com
10 Conor Cummins GBR Kawasaki IGT Kawasaki Racing Team
11 Steve Mercer GBR Honda Jentin Racing
12 James Hillier GBR Kawasaki Mocha Club Bournemouth Kawasaki
13 Bruce Anstey NZL Honda Padgettsmotorcycles.com
14 Horst Saiger AUT BMW Penz13.com
15 William Dunlop GBR Honda Wilson Craig Racing
16 Michael Dunlop GBR Kawasaki IGT Kawasaki Racing Team
17 Didier Grams GER Suzuki Heidger-RTG-Suzuki Muller
18 Stephen Thompson GBR Honda Roadhouse T & R Motorsport
19 James McBride GBR BMW PB Motorsport
20 Mark Miller USA Aprilia Splitlath Motorsport
21 Chris Clark USA Yamaha Yes-Pcs-Graves Yamaha
22 Sean Dwyer USA BMW Locust-Lee’s Cycle
23 Paul Shoesmith GBR BMW PB Motorsport
24 Michal Dokoupil CZE BMW IseeMacau.com BMW by DMR
25 Joao Fernandes MAC BMW Team of Paris
26 Nuno Caetano POR Suzuki HM Racing Team
27 Sou Sio Hong MAC Honda SOU Sio Hong
