Hickman wins Macau Grand Prix as TT riders dominate
Monday 23 November 2015
TT
TT riders dominated the Macau Grand Prix on Saturday with the first 19 positions filled by riders who have raced on the TT Mountain Course.
Leading the way was Peter Hickman who was only on his second visit, and competing in his first race. Hickman took the chequered flag with a six second advantage over Martin Jessopp with Michael Rutter finishing in third place.
As the lights went out he slotted into second place behind Martin Jessopp and the pair immediately pulled clear of the pursuing pack. Hickman moved ahead of Jessopp on the ninth lap and pulled away from the Somerset man to win the 49th Macau Grand Prix.
Hicky said: "It feels absolutely fantastic. This is only the second time I have been to Macau. I’ve not been doing the road racing scene for very long, but my British Superbike championships have been pretty strong the last couple of years. It’s fantastic to be able to transfer between the two.”
Behind the leading pair a battle royal ensued with Michael Rutter, John McGuinness, Gary Johnson, Ian Hutchinson and Conor Cummins all swapping paint and positions to battle for the final podium place which eventually went to Michael Rutter.
Michael Rutter actually led the race into the first corner but a problem with the electronics of the BMW almost immediately after meant he slipped back to fifth on the first lap and he found himself behind Ian Hutchinson and team-mate Gary Johnson as well as the leading pair. He overtook both Hutchinson and Johnson and he was able to come home for third to finish on the podium for the fifth successive year and extend his record total of podiums to 16.
Speaking afterwards, Michael commented: “I went off the line and the traction control light immediately came on, which basically meant that everything shut down! I had to learn how to ride the bike again because it kept wheeling everywhere and I dropped back to fifth as a result. However, I was able to be a bit smoother on the throttle because the traction control light saved the back tyre a bit and I managed to get myself back up to third.”
23 time TT Race winner John McGuinness nipped ahead of Gary Johnson with a spectacular late overtaking manoeuvre and after the race said:
“I got an average start off the line and after that, it was just wheel-to-wheel for the whole 12-laps. I had a great race with Michael, Gary and Hutchy, and then Stuart [Easton] came from nowhere and got stuck into our group. The move on Gary for fourth was brave, but I had confidence in myself and the Fireblade that we’d make it, so thought just go for it! I am slightly disappointed that I wasn’t on the podium, but I’ve had a good year and I enjoyed myself today so I’m happy with fourth, it’s a really good way to end the season.”
__
Pic credit Pacemaker Press Intl