STEVE PLATER TAKES MAIDEN VICTORY AT MACAU Lincolnshire Superbike racer Steve Plater, from Woodhall Spa near Lincoln, has taken a resounding win in the Rio Hotel Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix 40th Edition after battling through from fourth place on the opening lap. Plater, who qualified in second place behind six-times winner Michael Rutter was riding the AIM Racing Yamaha R1 and competing in the Superbike class in Macau for the very first time. He had previously competed in the Supersport race on the Sanyo Honda 500 v-twin in 1998 and returned with Honda Racing in 2003 where he finished in third place. The rain clouds that had threatened to halt the event cleared away on race day and Steve lined up alongside his rivals in perfect conditions for the start of the 15-lap race. Rutter took command from the start swiftly followed by Ian Hutchinson leaving Plater to play catch up. He reeled in Hutchinson on lap three going on to hunt down Rutter passing him to take up the lead one lap later. As the race progressed Plater began to pull away but Rutter found a second wind and reduced the gap back down to just 0.346 of a second. Plater was seen to look over his shoulder on lap seven and realising Rutter was in his tyre tracks he stepped up the pace to re-establish a half second lead. But it all nearly ended in tears for both riders as they encountered a backmarker circulating considerably slower. Although he lost momentum Plater got through and continued on his way but Rutter was held up and lost ground. It was all down to the final two laps with Rutter reducing the gap to under a second. But Plater was not going to be denied his win and crossed the finish line 0.962 of a second ahead of Rutter who had to be content with second place and the lap record. Steve was overjoyed with his win and said: “The pace was hot and it was a dog fight between myself and Michael. I just didn’t want him to get away at the start, a leopard doesn’t change his spots and I knew for a fact that he was riding really well and the Stobart Honda is a good bike so I didn’t want to give him any breathing space.” Asked what his plans are for 2007 Steve replied: “Ideally I would like to contest both the British Superbike championship and the World Endurance series subject of course to there not being any date clashes. “I have a few options and hope to have my plans finalised within the next few weeks before settling down to a peaceful Christmas after which I will be preparing for the new season.” Asked if this win was the one that stuck out in his mind as the best this year he replied: “It took me eight years to win the North West 200 and after scoring some nearlys and not quites I managed it this year but the Macau GP to be the best for me as its my first time here on a Superbike and to win on my first attempt makes it even sweeter. “I wanted to finish my season off on a high and I am delighted to have been able to achieve that today!”