Michael Rutter took a debut podium for the ISILON MSS Discovery Kawasaki team in the Superbike class with a third in the second race at today’s North West 200 event. The 34-year-old rider from Kirkby Mallory later made it a double with third in the final Supersport race at the legendary ‘Triangle’ course in Northern Ireland. His team-mate Stuart Easton also performed well, the 23-year-old taking three top tens spread across both categories.
Michael Rutter, Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R (5th & 3rd in Superbike, 10th & 3rd in Supersport) “Despite pole position, I didn’t expect the podium on the Superbike to be honest as we were a bit down on speed and it was hard work as everyone our there was on it, but we’ll take the results! On the positive side the handling on both bikes is fantastic – we just need that bit more mid-range. Looking forward to the Isle of Man, this deficiency could prove to be tough, but then again with the break-neck pace of races in BSB and now the North West, we’ve not had time to address them. Hopefully we can now. The whole team deserve these rostrums.”
Stuart Easton, Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R (11th & 9th in Superbike, 9th & 7th in Supersport) “We suffered from a lack of dry time on the 600 and actual time on the big bike thanks to a fuel issue which caused the technical problem. So, in both classes we were playing catch-up, so to get some top tens is a bit of a result. The most important thing is that we’ve now got some feedback from Michael on the 600, which can only help us. I do think this event has helped us understand both machines a little better, which can only be a good thing.”
Nick Morgan, Team Owner “Two podiums – we are well pleased with that! The second podium for Michael in the Supersport race was a really brilliant ride. OK, so in the Superbikes we had massive expectations with pole but at least our second race was stronger than the first. For Stuart it’s a shame he lost time in practice thanks to us being supplied substandard fuel on Tuesday, but we also learnt more about the Supersport bike, which is vital for the British championship. It’s clear that we’re lacking acceleration on both bikes, so let’s see what we can do to sort it.”
Stuart Simmonds, Joint Team Owner “A podium in only our fifth meeting with a Superbike? We’ll take that. After all, people come here for years looking for such a result. Stuart also applied himself well to get some good results, best of all we’ve learned a lot more about the bikes which should help our British Superbike and Supersport campaigns.”
Related Links www.mssdiscoveryracing.comwww.northwest200.org
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