Has anyone heard if rutter has parted with NW200 team

willieho wrote:

QUOTE:
Has anyone heard if rutter has parted with NW200 team

yes i heard he is rideing for the paul cranston team from dungannon.

I thought your manager had secured that ride for you!

The latest news from the Macau Grand Prix indicates that British Superbike legend, Michael Rutter has ridden his last race for the North West 200 Ducati team.

Rutter is believed to have been offered a management role within the team with his racing outings restricted to the North West 200 and potentially the TT, however the move would bring an end to his 301 race old BSB career. European Superstock Champion Brendan Roberts is expected to replace Rutter as team leader for the 2009 British Superbike campaign.

Keen to extend his career in the worlds most prestigious domestic Superbike series, Rutter is thought to have turned down the offer to pursue other options in BSB including running his own team. This would be a move that is likely to see him also contest the North West 200 and potentially a return to the TT.???????????????????????.

Yes, heard this news this afternoon... Am I suprised? No.... I frimly beleive that the NW200 Ducati Team have their best interests at heart. They are looking for winners I beleive, and maybe some of Mr Rutters post race comments on the bike after Macau were in fact spelling out the beginning of the end of this relationship. Michael Rutter is a class act, espicially at the North West 200, but he will rarely ever win a BSB Race, and will not at todays standards, win the BSB Championships. Maybe Brendan Roberts won't either, but fresh, fighting, and competitive riders like Brendan Roberts deserve the chance when it looks like they are on the crest of a wave. You have to remember that Michael is no spring chicken. He has been there and done it all before. The results of young John Laverty at the Sunflower, and more recently in Australia, indicates the very point that younger blood will fight harder. I hope that Michael does get something shorted out for 2009. In fact, Im sure he will.
The North West 200 Ducati Team is a short circuit racing Team, and thats were it stops. Rutter unfortunalty is no longer one of the top BSB riders today.

Have to agree, Rutter is definatly in the Autumn of his career.
He may well wish to continue his BSB career but i cannot see him securing a top machine for 09. He is still a front runner on the roads and i feel that
turning down the NW 200 deal may come back to haunt him.

Personally I think it's a poor descision all round. Rutter may be in the twilight of his career, but how many racers stepped on the top step of a BSB podium last year?
Not many-take out Shakey and the works Hondas and you have a select few.
Where are they going to get someone a quick as that in BSB and good at the NW? They may be a BSB team primarily, but don't forget who pays for them to go racing!
Sad news I feel for both rider and team.

See on another website that Brenden Roberts has signed to ride for a WSB Ducati Team in 2009. Now, this story is getting really interesting...

Will the ride now go to Laverty?. I believe he is their other choice