Rutter 'gutted' to lose title showdown chance

Michael Rutter says he is 'gutted' to have missed out on the chance to challenge for the 2011 MCE British Superbike Championship title following the race one collision that sidelined him for the remainder of the Cadwell Park weekend.

The Rapid Bathams Ducati rider came into the event with the initiative having scored top five finishes in the last four races, Rutter keen to overturn the five point deficit to Ryuichi Kiyonari in the fight for the sixth and final shootout spot.

However, while his quest began well as he diced for third in the early stages of race one, a bold overtaking attempt by Josh Brookes at Hall Bends would send Rutter across the grass and off his bike, the BSB veteran sustaining two broken ribs and a collarbone injury in the tumble.

With Brookes subsequently disqualified for the incident, though Rutter attempted to start race two, he would pull in after a single lap before choosing to sit out the third race altogether.

A bitter end to a campaign that has picked up momentum in recent rounds, Rutter was disappointed with the outcome but is now focusing on returning to fitness.

"I didn't get a bad start to the weekend in free practice but then in qualifying three we had a problem with our gearbox and then it was a massive rush for the team to get the Rapid Solicitors-Bathams Ducati ready for the first race and they did a great job.

"My aim was obviously to finish ahead of Ryuichi Kiyonari and everything was going to plan until race one! I had a good start and passed Josh Brookes into Park. I wanted to keep both Josh and Kiyo behind me and I was defending my line but Josh had other ideas and everyone knows what happened next!

"It was gutting not to have been able to make the top six and now I just need to get fit so we can try and put the Rapid Solicitors-Bathams Ducati back on the podium before the end of the season."

Rutter's three failures to score have dropped him to ninth in the standings behind Jon Kirkham and Gary Mason.