Rutter takes first victory in over three years, ahead of Byrne BENNETTS BRITISH SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP Round six Sunday 29 June Mallory Park Michael Rutter powered in a popular victory in a dramatic sixth round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship as he headed off the challenge of runaway series leading Shane Byrne in a rain affected second race at Mallory Park. Earlier in the afternoon the Airwaves Ducati rider had taken his eighth victory and he was not too concerned about having to settle for second best to his North West 200 Ducati rival who had gambled correctly on tyre choice. Rutter, regarded as something of a circuit expert, decided that the rains had passed and the Leicestershire track would dry he opted to run on slick tyres and that decision was a winner as a dry line quickly developed. He led throughout, always in control, to take his first victory since his success at Oulton Park back in May 2005, crossing the line a little over four seconds clear of Byrne. “That was a dream, unbelievable,” enthused Rutter. “I thought it was all going to be a nightmare for me. I was going to use my second bike for the first race, but then had a problem on the line. That meant using my other bike, but starting from the back of the grid. “Then I crashed and damaged my hand, and I thought that’s it, nothing but trouble, only for this. It’s down and up so quick, but a great feeling.” Byrne was quick to congratulate Rutter. “It was good for him and he rode a fantastic race the old boy really deserved to win. I went out with an intermediate front and a slick rear tyre and thought I had made the right choice but the track dried out a lot quicker than I expected,” explained Byrne. The second race had provided intense action with constant positional changes but it was HM Plant Honda rider Cal Crutchlow who eventually came through, closing in dramatically on the leading duo, and at one point moving briefly ahead of Byrne, to take third place ahead of the pole starting Rizla Suzuki in the hands of Tom Sykes. Karl Harris, ruled out early on in the opener when a stone pierced the radiator of his Rob Mac Racing Yamaha, took fifth ahead of Leon Haslam and the Lloyds British Jentin Yamaha rider Simon Andrews while Leon Camier, a first bend faller first time out took eighth from Tristan Palmer and Scott Smart. The first race had its moments, particularly in the early stages when Byrne found himself momentarily halted as his bike was sandwiched between Michael Laverty’s Relentless Suzuki and the trackside wall at the Hairpin. “He came across me, we had a coming together and I went into the wall and had to get back up and get going again,” explained Byrne. “It was a bit chaotic coming through, and to be honest I was more nervous before this race than I’ve ever been.” The champion of five years ago however was in no mood to allow that to halt his charge and was quickly back in contention, moving through from fifth place to take the lead, ahead of Haslam and Crutchlow with six laps remaining. His record over a dozen races now is eight victories and four second placings, putting him 280-183 ahead of Crutchlow at the halfway point of the series, while in the chase for the Daily Star Cup, the race within a race for Independent teams, John Laverty, riding the Buildbase NW200 Ducati, with a win and a second place has opened up a 256-140 points lead over Tom Tunstall, fifth and third, here. Chris Burns held on to take the Cup victory in the second race. Results Bennetts British Superbike Championship round six Race one 30 laps 1.Shane Byrne (Airwaves Ducati) 28m 33.049secs 2. Leon Haslam (HM Plant Honda) +1.024s 3. Cal Crutchlow (HM Plant Honda) +1.147s 4. Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) +1.355s 5. James Ellison (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) +11.302s 6. Billy McConnell (MSS Disovery Kawasaki) +17.149s 7. Simon Andrews (Lloyds British Jentin Racing Yamaha) +18.252s 8. Tristan Palmer (TENA for Men Honda) +19.761s 9. Atsushi Watanabe (Rizla Suzuki) +26.422s 10. John Laverty (Buildbase NW200 Ducati) +27.593s Race two 30 laps 1. Michael Rutter (North West 200 Ducati) 30m 10.219secs 2. Shane Byrne (Airwaves Ducati) +4.405s 3. Cal Crutchlow (HM Plant Honda) +4.586s 4. Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) +13.383s 5. Karl Harris (Rob Mac Racing Yamaha) +13.589s 6. Leon Haslam (HM Plant Honda) +19.517s 7. Simon Andrews (Lloyds British Jentin Racing Yamaha) +25.928s 8. Leon Camier (Airwaves Ducati) +35.007s 9. Tristan Palmer (TENA for Men Honda) +44.194s 10. Scott Smart (Hawk Kawasaki) +56.422s Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings: 1. Shane Byrne (Airwaves Ducati) 280 2. Cal Crutchlow (HM Plant Honda) 183 3. Leon Camier (Airwaves Ducati) 160 4 Leon Haslam (HM Plant Honda) 148 5. Michael Rutter (North West 200 Ducati) 127 Next round Oulton Park, Cheshire 18/19/20 July More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki News Service: Tom Sykes took two hard-earned fourth place finishes at the sixth round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Mallory Park in Leicestershire today. Starting from pole position in the opening dry race, the Rizla Suzuki rider made a steady start, falling back to fifth on the opening lap before battling back up the field. He was always in contention for the victory and set the fastest lap of the race at the 1.41-mile Mallory Park circuit on his way to fourth place. In the second race, with the track soaking wet but the sun shining, Sykes opted for an intermediate front tyre and slick rear. He got the holeshot but dropped back to ninth before the track dried enough to take advantage of his grippy Pirelli. He scythed through the field as the sun shone and was fourth again. Team mate Atsushi Watanabe showed real aggression and speed to take ninth in the opening race but found the treacherous conditions in race two difficult, ending up 20th. Ducati’s Shane Byrne won the first race and Michael Rutter the second. There is now a three-week break for the Rizla Suzuki squad with round seven of the British Superbike Championship taking place at the picturesque Oulton Park circuit in Cheshire on the July 20th. Tom Sykes: “Race one was very frustrating. Rather than getting my trademark good start, my clutch grabbed and I found myself sixth going into the first corner. I fought my way up but the guys in front were quick and difficult to overtake. It’s a shame as I had the pace and if I’d got off the line better I may have pulled away with a clear track in front. “The second race was a real lottery and the tyre choice we made was a good balance. As the track dried I got faster and fourth was the best I could do. It was a hard race and I am happy to have brought my Rizla Suzuki home given how slippery the track was during the first few laps. I’ll just have to wait to the next round at Oulton Park before I get my maiden win…” Atsushi Watanabe: “Race one was not so bad and I have good start and fighting for top 10 positions. This makes me happy and I hope for same for race two but the rain falls and tyres choice tough and many quick riders make very difficult for good result. “The racing today has been up and down and I am still learning. I will think on this and come back stronger and for more top 10 places at the next round.” Jack Valentine – Rizla Suzuki Team Manager: “I was a bit disappointed for Tom in the opening race because he had the pace to win but got a very uncharacteristic poor start. He was the only rider to go under 56 seconds a lap and that shows just how close we were to winning. “The second race was a real gamble on tyres and Tom’s crew made a sensible choice. It was exciting to watch and he thoroughly deserved another fourth place finish and the points in the bag for the Championship. “Atsu put on a brave battling performance in the opening race but the conditions hit him hard in the second. He has the talent, team and bike to compete at the front and we’ll be doing all we can to get him up where he belongs during the second half of the season.” Race One Result: 1: Shane Byrne (Ducati) 28:33.049 2: Leon Haslam (Honda) +1.024 3: Cal Crutchlow (Honda) +1.147 4: Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) +1.355 5: James Ellison (Honda) +11.302 6: Billy McConnell (Kawasaki) +17.149 7: Simon Andrews (Yamaha) +18.252 8: Tristan Palmer (Honda) +19.761 9: Atsushi Watanabe (Rizla Suzuki) +26.422 10: John Laverty (Ducati) +27.593 Race Two Results: 1: Michael Rutter (Ducati) 30:10.219 2: Shane Byrne (Ducati) +4.405 3: Cal Crutchlow (Honda) +4.586 4: Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) +13.383 5: Karl Harris (Yamaha) +13.589 6: Leon Haslam (Honda) +19.517 7: Simon Andrews (Yamaha) +25.928 8: Leon Camier (Ducati) +35.007 9: Tristan Palmer (Honda) +44.194 10: Scott Smart (Kawasaki) +56.422 20: Atsushi Watanabe (Rizla Suzuki) +2 laps Championship Standings (after round six of 12): 1: Shane Byrne 280 2: Cal Crutchlow 183 3: Leon Camier 160 4: Leon Haslam 148 5: Michael Rutter 127 6: Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) 126 7: James Ellison 119 8: Michael Laverty 84 9: Simon Andrews 69 10: Stuart Easton 62 15: Atsushi Watanabe (Rizla Suzuki) 30 More, from a press release issued by Bennetts Press Office: Rainman Rutter reigns Two further faultless displays of riding from Bennetts British Superbike Championship leader Shane Byrne marked round six of the series at Mallory Park in Leicestershire. However, it was not enough to secure another double victory for the Airwaves Ducati rider. The opening race of the day ran in dry conditions and produced familiar results with Shakey Byrne claiming the top step of the podium, followed by HM Plant Honda team-mates Leon Haslam and Cal Crutchlow respectively. Drama came in the form of an opening lap crash for Leon Camier, forcing him to retire early form the race. Michael Rutter and Michael Laverty also ran off the track with Rutter unable to re-join the action. A reversal of fortunes in race two saw Laverty crash out of contention while leading the pack with a comfortable advantage. However, former Kirkby Mallory resident Rutter surprised the crowd with a seemingly easy victory. Tyre choice proved crucial for the second 30-lap battle of the day. The race was declared wet but with a drying track and bright sunshine, selecting the right tyres enabled Rutter to reap the rewards. He was followed past the chequered flag by Shakey and Crutchlow, who enjoyed an impressive charge through the field in the second half of the race. Bennetts British Superbike Championship race one result: 1. S. Byrne 28:33.049; 2. L. Haslam +1.024; 3. C. Crutchlow +1.147 Bennetts British Superbike Championship race two result: 1. M. Rutter 18:41.592; 2. S. Byrne +4.405; 3. C. Crutchlow +4.596 Bennetts British Superbike championship standings (after round six) 1. Byrne 280; 2. Crutchlow 183; 3. Camier 160; 4. Haslam 148; 5. M. Rutter 127; 6. Sykes 126; 7. Ellison 119; 8. Laverty 84; 9. Andrews 69; 10. Easton 62 More, from a press release issued by GSE Racing/Airwaves Ducati: ONE TWO FOR SHANE BYRNE & AIRWAVES DUCATI Airwaves Ducati leave Mallory Park 1st and 3rd in the championship after Shane Byrne secured a win and a 2nd place finish and Leon Camier achieved a 8th place in round 6 today. In an eventful first race Leon was unfortunate that a good start, which saw him make a move around the outside, ended in him tipping off at the first corner. Shane was in 5th as the leading group moved away from the rest of the field. He then picked off the Suzuki and two Honda’s, eventually taking the lead on lap 26. He pulled away to take the chequered flag and his 8th win of the season. Following a shower as the riders were lining up on the grid for race 2 the race was declared wet. Both Airwaves Ducati riders opted for slick rear tyres and intermediate fronts as the racing line appeared to be drying. Shane worked his way through the field to 2nd position by lap 13. However the gap to the race leader was too large and despite challenges on his position from Cal Crutchlow he crossed the line in 2nd place. Leon, who had slipped to 16th from the start, fought hard to regain 8 places to finish in 8th. Leon Camier was disappointed but unscathed from his crash saying; “It has been a frustrating day; I was a bit unlucky to come off on the first corner in race one but it wasn’t a bad crash and I was fine. In race two I wanted to get another good start but with the track being a bit wet it was difficult. My shoulder had started to twinge a bit from my crash and it was a tough race for me but I am pleased I brought it home for some championship points. We are midway through season and I am 3rd in the championship, I have a bit of a break now when I will keep training and then get back to it at Oulton Park where I am hoping for a good result.” Shane Byrne commented afterwards; “It has been an interesting day; I know I have said I don’t like this circuit much but I am pleased with the results I have achieved here. If somebody had told me before today that I was going to come away from Mallory Park with a win and a 2nd place I would have bitten their hand off, so I am pleased with it. All the circuits I don’t really like are out of the way now and I have a good lead in the championship at the half way point in the season so I am confident going to Oulton Park in a few weeks and hopefully it will go as well as it has so far.” Round 7 of the Bennetts British Superbike championship takes place at Oulton Park on Sunday 20th July. Race One Result 1. Shane Byrne Airwaves Ducati 2. Leon Haslam HM Plant Honda 3. Cal Crutchlow HM Plant Honda 4. Tom Sykes Rizla Suzuki Race Two 1. Michael Rutter North West 200 Ducati 2. Shane Byrne Airwaves Ducati 3. Cal Crutchlow HM Plant Honda 4. Tom Sykes Rizla Suzuki 5. Karl Harris Team Yamaha 6. Leon Haslam HM Plant Honda 7. Simon Andrews Jentin Racing 8. Leon Camier Airwaves Ducati Championship Points 1. Shane Byrne Airwaves Ducati 280 points 2. Cal Crutchlow HM Plant Honda 183 points 3. Leon Camier Airwaves Ducati 160 points 4. Leon Haslam – HM Plant Honda 148 points