Michael Rutter targets North West 200 Superbike record

Michael Rutter will aim to become the most successful Superbike rider in the history of the North West 200 when he lines up for the showpiece events of this year's meeting on Saturday.

Rutter and the late Joey Dunlop have both won nine races in the class.

But the Midlands rider will have high hopes of adding to his tally after securing pole position on Thursday.

Rutter's team-mate Martin Jessopp was second fastest in qualifying to make it a good day for the Ducati team.

"It's good to be on pole and I'm happy with the big bike," said Rutter.

"But the forecast isn't good for Saturday and I'm not a fan of racing on the roads when it's wet - it's a different proposition from short circuit racing."

The 38-year-old has 12 wins and 21 podium finishes under his belt at the North West and just one victory would see him join Joey Dunlop on 13 wins in all classes.

A hat-trick of successes would enable him to equal Robert Dunlop's all-time record of 15.

Rutter will face stiff competition from in-form Carrickfergus rider Alastair Seeley, whose efforts in the Superbike class were plagued by mechanical problems on Thursday.

Seeley and Relentless TAS Suzuki running mate Guy Martin should be well in the running, along with Australian Cameron Donald and Gary Johnson on their Honda machinery.

Michael Dunlop has encountered difficulties with his new Kawasaki Superbike but recorded a speed of over 120mph on his Superstock machine so he will be in contention too.

Bruce Anstey, William Dunlop, Ryan Farquhar, Ian Lougher and newcomer Simon Andrews also performed well in qualifying.

If the forecast rain appears, wet weather specialist Farquhar could well take advantage of the inclement conditions to add to his tally of four wins on the Triangle circuit.

Seeley set the benchmark in the Superstock and Supersport classes in practice and looks likely to be the man to beat in those races.
Alistair Seeley is on pole for the Supersport and Superstock races

Prior to the meeting he was tipped to equal Phillip McCallen's recrd of five wins in one day but that looks to be a tall order for the pint-sized pilot.

Michael Dunlop will be determined to make up for a disappointing North West last year and will be a major threat on his Street Sweep Superstock Kawasaki and Supersport Yamaha.

Rutter should be on the pace in the Superstocks but will sit out the two Supersport races, a move which could prove to give him an edge over his rivals during a stamina- sapping race day.

William Dunlop was downbeat about his chances when interviewed on BBC Radio Ulster on Thursday but the 26-year-old Ballymoney man could spring a surprise on a circuit on which he has previously enjoyed significant successes in the two-stroke classes.

Englishman Johnson is still seeking his first intenational road race win but good form in practice would indicate that the Lincolnshire lad is ready to move to the top step of the podium this week.

Johnson has now fully recovered from injuries sustained at the Skerries 100 in 2009 and has put in some good early-season displays in the British championship.

As always, the Antipodean challenge will come from Donald and Anstey, and both are capable of winning.

Anstey has occupied the podium on at least one occasion every year since 2002 and that sequence is likely to continue on Saturday if he can fully adapt to the change from Suzuki machinery to his new Padgett's Honda stable.

Donald has also switched teams this season and is on the top six practice leaderboard for every class on his Wilson Craig Hondas.Michael Rutter will aim to become the most successful Superbike rider in the history of the North West 200 when he lines up for the showpiece events of this year's meeting on Saturday.



Superstock standings: 1 A Seeley 119.706, 2 M Dunlop 119.328, 3 M Rutter 118.039, 4 Gary Johnson 117.993, 5 William Dunlop 117.247, 6 Ryan Farquhar 117.241

Supersport standings: 1 A Seeley 115.937, 2 G Johnson 115, 3 M Dunlop 115.149, 4 B Anstey 114.649, 5 W Dunlop 114.417, 6 G Martin 113.812

Superbike standings: 1 M Rutter 121.24, 2 Martin Jessopp 120.98, 3 M Dunlop 120.79, 4 Guy Martin 120.00, 5 C Donald 119.94, 6 Gary Johnson 119.41