Michael Rutter resumes his quest for the Bennetts British Superbike crown this Sunday, 21 August, at Silverstone - but is expecting a tough challenge from not only HM Plant Honda team-mate Ryuichi Kiyonari, but also Airwaves Ducati riders Leon Haslam and Gregorio Lavilla.
Rutter, who is bidding to take his first BSB crown, has made the most of the month long summer break to recover from shoulder injuries sustained during qualifying for the previous round, though he is frustrated at missing vital test sessions.
He goes into the double race, ninth round, aiming to increase the 45-point advantage he holds over Kiyonari, who heads for the Northamptonshire circuit in buoyant mood after his recent success in the Suzuka Eight Hours race.
"I expect that he will go well in these races as he knows the circuit and has also had a lot of time on the bike during his time back in Japan, and the more time you have riding, the better for you," explained Rutter who has been forced to sit out the test sessions at both Cadwell Park and then at Silverstone as the broken collarbone and dislocated shoulder healed.
"It has been disappointing to miss those tests, but I have to focus on the job in hand and that is to win the title. I have been so close several times before that I have to make it stick this time," said Rutter whose determination to achieve the number one plate is such that he rode through the pain barrier at
Snetterton to take fifth and third placings despite the injuries suffered the previous day.
"I won first time out on the bike last year, and then took a third place at
Silverstone, so would be happy with those results again, but preferably better. I enjoy the circuit, but know there will be some tough challenges coming in," admitted Rutter.
Kiyonari apart, Haslam looks a likely threat after his lap record breaking performance in recent testing and the young Derbyshire rider, currently fourth in the rankings, is long overdue a second success of the campaign.
