Consistency is the keyword for Michael Rutter as he powers into the second half of a campaign, which he hopes will end in maiden British Superbike Championship title glory.
The Leicestershire based rider has the upper-hand, leading his HM Plant Honda team-mate Ryuichi Kiyonari by 43 points, as they go into the double race eighth round at the super-fast
Snetterton circuit.
There, they expect to continue their high-speed duel for supremacy, although Gregorio Lavilla riding the Airwaves Ducati has shown the speed and hard-riding determination to challenge them, beating them twice so far to be third in the standings and poised to push for the crown.
Rutter is at his most determined, and has worked with Michelin on tyre testing, following on from his pair of second placings to the runaway race winning Kiyonari in the recent
Knockhill round.
"I have to do something about him, and start beating him - I cannot allow him to keep winning," Rutter reflected - he is all too well aware of the enormity of the job in hand. Kiyonari, now in his second term in the country's top series, is proving a fast learner of the circuits.
"I do many laps, gain experience, then go fast," the exciting 22-year-old smiles. "I ride hard to beat Michael - he is a very good rider and also wants to win races and the title. So do I."
There are no team-orders, their factory prepared Fireblades are identical, and it is down to the riders. Kiyonari has a remarkable record of winning eight of the ten races that he has finished - he was third in the other two.
But for the high-speed crash at
Mallory Park back in April which ruled him out of four races, he would be in a much stronger position, but his game of 'catch-up' is providing breathtaking speed and action.
Rutter is ready to deal with him, building on the second and third placings he scored at the Norfolk circuit last year as he aims to add to his three wins so far - he has not enjoyed the winner's champagne since May and is now thirsting for more.
