Sun City Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix – 50th Edition
Guia Street Circuit
Macau, China
November 19, 2016
Race Results (as provided by the Macau Grand Prix Committee):
1. Peter Hickman, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 12 laps, Total Race Time 29:15.590, Best Lap Time 2:25.333
2. Michael Rutter, UK (BMW S1000RR), -0.533 second, 2:25.588
3. Martin Jessopp, UK (BMW S1000RR), -0.655, 2:24.931
4. Conor Cummins, UK (Hon CBR1000RR), -20.856 seconds, 2:26.579
5. Horst Saiger, Austria (Kaw ZX-10R), -23.201, 2:26.676
6. Stuart Easton, UK (BMW S1000RR), -35.547, 2:28.088
7. John McGuinness, UK (Hon CBR1000RR), -35.644, 2:27.457
8. Ian Hutchinson, UK (BMW S1000RR), -39.519, 2:26.994
9. Derek Sheils, Ireland (Suz GSX-R1000), -46.389, 2:28.242
10. Dan Cooper, UK (BMW S1000RR), -50.503, 2:28.688
11. Dan Kneen, UK (Yam YZF-R1), -60.197, 2:29.302
12. Didier Grams, Germany (BMW S1000RR), -75.621, 2:30.701
13. Danny Webb, UK (BMW S1000RR), -85.213, 2:32.441
14. Sam West, UK (BMW S1000RR), -87.225, 2:31.763
15. Mark Miller, USA (EBR 1190RS), -89.359, 2:32.437
16. Daniel Hegarty, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -97.296, 2:32.423
17. Marek Cerveny, Czech Republic (BMW S1000RR), -106.362, 2:33.253
18. Allan-Jon Venter, South Africa (Yam YZF-R1), -110.436, 2:33.179
19. Andre Pires, Portugal (Bim BB3), -110.740, 2:34.045
20. Michael Sweeney, Ireland (BMW S1000RR), -118.501, 2:33.511
21. Brian McCormack, Ireland (Hon CBR1000RR), -129.971, 2:33.825
22. Ben Wylie, UK (Bim BB3), -131.930, 2:34.235
23. Glenn Irwin, UK (Duc Panigale R), -1 lap, DNF, mechanical, 2:25.660
24. Gary Johnson, UK (BMW S1000RR), -1 lap, DNF, mechanical, 2:28.132
25. Ivan Lintin, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -2 laps, DNF, mechanical, 2:30.346
26. Davy Morgan, UK (Hon CBR1000RR), -7 laps, DNF, 2:35.752
27. Steve Mercer, UK (BMW S1000RR), DNS
28. Steve Heneghan, Ireland (Yam YZF-R1), DNS
More, from a press release issued by Be Wiser Ducati:
Irwin Cruelly Denied Macau Grand Prix Podium
Be Wiser Ducati rider Glenn Irwin saw his hopes of a sensational debut podium cruelly dashed when Glenn Irwinhe was forced out of the Sun City Group Macau Grand Prix 50th Edition on the penultimate lap due to a technical problem today.
The 26-year-old from Carrickfergus in County Antrim was on course for some silverware aboard the factory-supported Be Wiser Ducati Panigale R as he diced with the experienced Macau trio of Michael Rutter, Martin Jessopp and 2015 winner Peter Hickman.
Having qualified in a brilliant third place, Irwin, who recently re-signed for Paul Bird’s Penrith-based team for 2017, got a great start around the 6.12km Circuito Da Guia to run in second place as the leading quartet made a break from the pack.
As the race progressed, the Ulsterman held fourth place, but was never more than a couple of seconds off the leader on the Metzeler-shod machine and by lap 11 of the 12-lap race, was up to third position and looking strong.
However, it wasn’t to last as a technical problem sidelined him in the most cruellest of fashions leaving him to retire within sight of the chequered flag whereby Hickman took the win again, ahead of Rutter with Jessopp in third.
Glenn Irwin: “To say I’m gutted is an understatement. I felt happy running with the other three riders and the plan was to make a move on the last lap. I pulled back half a second on Rutter on the lap Glenn Irwinbefore and was within 0.8 seconds of the lead when I suffered a technical problem on the penultimate lap. It’s disappointing as I really felt I could have had a podium but these things happen. I’d like to say a massive thanks to my team, Ducati and the sponsors for making this happen and I’d love to come back again next year with the PBM Be Wiser Ducati Team and finish the job off.”
For further information, please visit www.pbmuk.net.
More, from a press release issued by SMT Racing:
Brilliant 1-2 at Macau for Bathams/SMT Racing
Peter Hickman and Bridgnorth’s Michael Rutter finished first and second in Saturday’s 50th Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix to give Bathams/SMT Racing the perfect end to their highly successful season. And with Stuart Easton taking a strong sixth, it was an extremely enjoyable trip to the Far East venue for the team.
With good albeit hot conditions throughout practice and qualifying, it was Michael who fared best and he topped the timesheets in the first qualifying session on Thursday afternoon with a lap of 2m24.793s. He lapped a tenth slower on Friday which meant he lined up in second place behind fellow BMW rider Martin Jessopp for Saturday’s 12-lap race.
Team-mates Easton and Hickman were able to quicken their pace though and with lap times of 2m26.044s and 2m26.183s respectively around the 3.8-mile Guia circuit, the duo lined up in fifth and seventh.
Rain on Saturday meant it was a damp start for the morning warm up but by the time the race came under starters orders close to 4pm it was dry all round and a blistering start by Michael saw him grab the holeshot and an early lead. Burton upon Trent’s Hickman wasn’t far behind in fourth although Stuart dropped back slightly to ninth.
By the end of the first lap, the front four riders of Michael, Jessopp, Glenn Irwin and Peter had made a break and it turned into a classic as the quartet remained nose to tail for the remainder of the race. There was nothing to choose between them around the demanding circuit with Peter moving up to third at the expense of Irwin on lap four.
Lap seven saw Michael and Jessopp exchange the lead before the latter went ahead again at Lisboa on lap eight. Just over a second covered the top four and on the tenth lap both Michael and Peter went ahead of Jessopp again under braking at Lisboa. The duo made a small break as Irwin unluckily retired and although Michael did all he could to find a way past, it was Peter who prevailed at the chequered flag by half a second for his second successive Macau GP win.
Michael, having his 22nd visit to Macau, took second and his 17th podium with Jessopp just over a tenth of a second adrift in third. Hawick’s Easton, meanwhile, kept chipping away throughout the race and having overhauled Gary Johnson for eighth just after half race distance he then did the same to Ian Hutchinson on lap ten to claim seventh. With Irwin retiring, he was promoted up to sixth and just held off John McGuinness on the dash to the line with the results, unsurprisingly, giving Bathams/SMT Racing the best team award..
Peter Hickman: “What a hard race! We worked really hard on our race pace during qualifying and I knew I’d be strong in the middle and at the end of the race although P7 on the grid wasn’t ideal. I made a good start although Glenn was riding really well and it was hard to get near him to make a pass. I was good on the exit of turn one and turn two but I got a double slipstream from both Martin and Michael and I struggled to get stopped so I banged it down to first gear, instead of second, to pull it back in. I got round ok and got by Michael and I’ve got to say a massive, massive thank you to the Bathams/SMT Racing team. I hadn’t seen the bike until practice on Thursday and with not having ridden a BMW since this time last year I was on a steep learning curve so to get the job done for the second year in a row is a brilliant feeling.”
Michael Rutter: “That was like short circuit racing on the roads! I got a good start and I just thought to myself ‘perfect, get your head down and keep calm’. When Martin came by though it was a case of ‘here we go’ and I knew it was going to be another hard race. I knew I couldn’t let him go so went up the inside at every opportunity. I was happy keeping it smooth but obviously Peter came by and although I tried everything I could to get back by him, he was on rails and when no opportunity presented itself on the final lap, I knew I’d finish second. It was a bit dusty out there and you’re just trying to manage the race as it’s so easy to overshoot or miss a gear so fair play to Peter and the whole Bathams/SMT Racing team.”
Stuart Easton: “I opted for the softer tyre in the race and made a steady start to slot into ninth but as the race wore on I managed to get past Gary and Hutchy before having to fend off my old mate John McGuinness in the closing laps when my tyre went off. It was a tough race for me but a great 1-2 for my team mates so well done to them and the team who did a great job all week.”
Robin Croft, Team Owner: “Wow, what a race, my mouth was dry and heart thumping throughout! The race panned out pretty much as we expected in terms of who the front riders would be and also how close it was. When Martin missed a gear it allowed Peter and Michael to make a break but he came right back at Michael although he did a superb job in keeping him at bay and followed Peter home. Peter just had that bit more pace today, a fact Michael appreciated. It’s a 1-2 that I’ve dreamed of and stretched myself for but it’s totally worth it so well done to all my team and all my riders.”
More, from a press release issued by Devitt RC Express Racing:
Lintin and Devitt RC Express Racing out of luck at Macau
Ivan Lintin and the Devitt RC Express Racing team were out of luck in Saturday’s 50th Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix with the Lincolnshire rider cruelly forced to retire with just two laps to go whilst running in a strong 13th place.
The Bardney-based rider was making just his second appearance at the Far East venue but was getting more and more to grips with the 3.8-mile Guia circuit with his lap times considerably quicker than 2015 and improving throughout practice and qualifying.
Thursday saw the 32-year old slot into 16th place during the morning’s free practice session but he improved his lap time by two and a half seconds in the first qualifying session later in the afternoon. He went quicker again during Friday’s second and final qualifying session and a time of 2m31.033s was a personal best and it placed him 19th on the grid for Saturday’s 12-lap race.
Rain in the morning meant that the warm-up session was held in slightly damp conditions but by the time the riders came to the line just before 4pm in the afternoon, conditions were good all around the course and a superb start saw Ivan and the Kawasaki ZX-10R leap up the order to 13th by the completion of the first lap.
It turned out to be a rather uneventful race for Ivan as he maintained station in 13th throughout not quite close enough to the group of riders ahead of him but comfortably clear of those behind. Despite circulating on his own, his lap times were very strong and with a new personal best, 2m30.346s, coming on the sixth lap, it was clear Ivan was more than comfortable with how his race was unfolding.
However, as expected, the latter half of the race saw a number of riders start to see tyre performance drop off and Ivan was one of them so much so that he had to pull in to retire at the end of lap ten with just two laps of the race remaining. It was an unlucky end to his and the team’s year although it’s been another superb season for Ivan and the Bristol-based team.
Ivan Lintin: “Practice and qualifying went really well and I was more than happy with how the bike was performing and how I was riding. It’s only my second year at Macau and it’s not the easiest of circuits to learn but each time I went out I lowered my lap times considerably. The race was quite a lonely old affair but, with a good start, I was happy with how I was going and with the lap times I did. As the race went on though, the tyre went off and it would have been dangerous to continue so safety prevailed and I pulled in. It would have been nice to have ended the season with a solid result but we will be going home happy with the progress we’ve made.”
Ben Constable, Team Co-Owner: “Unfortunately, Ivan’s tyre went off towards the end of the race which meant he lost a lot of grip and with Macau being quite a dangerous circuit, it’s not the place for taking any unnecessary risks. Apart from that, we were really happy with how the week had gone. Ivan set his fastest ever laps in the race and was riding extremely well so we’ve had a strong event. 12th or 13th would have been a great result to end the year with but whilst it’s disappointing to retire, the team has had a mega week.”
More, from a press release issued by Penz13.com BMW Motorrad Racing:
Macau, China. Macau Rookie Danny Webb brought home the Penz13.com BMW by MGM China & Special Olympics Macau BMW S 1000 RR in today’s 50th edition of the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix in a strong 13th place. His team mate Gary Johnson was forced to retire on the penultimate lap of the 12 laps race after a technical problem hindered him for the whole race distance.
Webb was fighting strong after a good start and got further experience at the Guia Circuit Macau. He got in the slip stream of several experienced competitors to learn the track and its difficulties and secrets even more.
For Johnson the race started already with problems, facing not too much grip on the rear. At the end he had to come to the pits one lap before the checkered flag and end his Macau adventure early.
Gary Johnson – Rider:
“Ey, I have been happy all time this week – until race day. The team worked hard and the bike was good, we certainly could improve it hell of a lot with work to do on the bike if we come back next year together. But overall it was good, it was my fastest Qualifying and a 24 was definitely good. Unfortunately we came to the race, put a tyre in and it didn’t work, the tyre looks like brand new now – so I had no grip at all. This extended to the handling, how to finish my corners and carry the pace, so I couldn’t make the lap times. The pace was coming a bit at the end but we should probably had done a 20 lap race. I was closing on the others, I made a bit of a mistake. Then unfortunately we got a technical problem. So, overall I am happy with the progress we have made, happy we’ve shown strong against lads that are doing BSB week in and week out and we qualified quite in the mix of them. We were able to compete with the best of the best, putting the bike out of the box of a World Endurance Team. We chuffed the bits, unfortunately we got that problem on the line and all turned around. Disappointed I didn’t finish, especially for all the boys here in the team.”
More, from a press release issued by Dan Cooper Racing:
Cooper takes superb top ten finish at Macau Grand Prix
Dan Cooper ended his 2016 International road racing season on a high on Saturday when he claimed a superb tenth place in Saturday’s 50th Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix. Making his fourth visit to the Far East venue, it was the 29-year old’s second top ten finish at the event whilst he also set a new personal best lap of the 3.8-mile circuit.
Riding the Dan Cooper Racing/CMS BMW S1000RR, the Stroud-based rider made a strong start to the event with the twelfth fastest time in Thursday’s free practice session rider and he then went three seconds quicker in the afternoon’s opening qualifying session with more and more grip being laid down on the Guia circuit.
With all riders battling the hot and humid conditions, Dan took a further 1.6s off his lap time in Friday morning’s second and final qualifying session and a time of 2m28.485s meant he qualified as the 14th fastest rider overall and on the fifth row of the grid for Saturday’s 12-lap race.
Overnight and morning rain meant that the track was damp for Saturday’s warm-up session but conditions were perfectly dry for the race which got underway just before 4pm and a superb start saw Dan immediately jump up the order into 11th place just behind four-times winner Stuart Easton but ahead of Isle of Man TT legend John McGuinness.
The 29-year old kept McGuinness on the factory Honda at bay until lap three when he dropped back to 12th and here he remained until the tenth lap. Circulating on his own for much of the race, Dan’s fourth lap of 2m28.688s was officially his personal best lap of the demanding circuit and when Glenn Irwin retired on the penultimate lap, it promoted him up the order to 11th.
This looked like it would be the end result but Gary Johnson, who was running in eighth place, retired on the final lap and Dan took the chequered flag in an excellent tenth place, his second best finish at Macau after claiming eighth at the 2014 event.
Dan Cooper: “Practice and qualifying went well and I was just building things up gradually as my injuries at the North West 200 meant I haven’t spent an awful lot of time on the BMW this year. My lap times in qualifying were really strong but it just shows how competitive the field was this year as I went comfortably quicker then ever before but was back in 14th on the grid!”
“The race itself was good and I managed to stay in front of John (McGuinness) for a good few laps before I hit a neutral going into the Lisboa corner and I had to go straight on. It lost me a place but, crucially, a lot of time and after that I spent the rest of the race pretty much on my own. It was quite uneventful really but it’s great to end the year strongly and with a top ten finish in a top quality Superbike field so a big thank you to the whole team and all my sponsors for making it possible.”
Dan now heads into the winter break before looking ahead to the 2017 International road racing season where he’ll again contest the Isle of Man TT, North West 200, Ulster Grand Prix and Macau Grand Prix road races.