I don't think John's signing has anything to do with Rutter. John is the best road racer around and Honda have signed him because of that, irrespective of Rutter and BSB. The simple truth is that Rutter has underperformed and hasn't delivered. He's been racing in BSB for 10 years now and has had a lot of good machinery yet still hasn't won the title. In fact he hasn't won as many races as what he should have done either.

Michael Rutter will be riding for Paul Bird's team next season. This will include the North West 200 and a comeback to the TT.