Rutter Suzuki future uncertain
Added on Wednesday, June 24th, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor
Rutter waiting on Suzuki decision.
Michael Rutter’s future with Worx Suzuki remains uncertain after team boss Jack Valentine refused to confirm whether or not the stand-in rider would be representing the single-rider team at Knockhill.
Rutter, cut from the NW200 Yamaha team earlier this year, was drafted into the Suzuki factory team after regular rider Sylvain Guintoli was ruled out of the British Superbike Championship for ten weeks following a crash at Donington Park back in May that left him with two breaks in his right leg.
Since then, Rutter has stood in for the Frenchman with two fifth place finishes at Thruxton three weeks ago before a more disappointing round at Snetterton on Sunday saw him finish seventh in race one before retiring in race two.
But team manager Jack Valentine remained coy on the 37-year-old’s immediate future, refusing to confirm the extent of Rutter’s involvement in Scotland, with speculation circulating that the team may move for recently cut Honda Althea rider Tommy Hill, although he did concede that Rutter was a “strong contender” for the Suzuki ride.
“This has been a weekend to forget,” admitted Valentine. “We’re going back to the workshop, find out what went wrong with the bike in that second race, and regroup ready for Knockhill.
“Michael put in a good performance in that first race and was looking stronger still in the second so to come away with an incomplete picture is a cruel end. Michael has again ridden well and he’s capable of front row qualifying and podium finishes - what’s happened isn’t his fault.
“What we’ll do now as regards rider selection for the next round, at Knockhill, it’s too early to say. Like I’ve said, Michael’s ridden really well and it’s fair to say his results haven’t fully reflected what he’s put in - so he most certainly remains a strong contender.”
