Michael Rutter is wary of the threat posed by his Honda TT Legends team-mate Michael Dunlop at this year’s Vauxhall International North West 200.

Rutter shares the record for the most Superbike victories on the 8.9-mile public roads course with Joey Dunlop on nine wins apiece and is very much in the reckoning for another bliue riband triumph on Saturday on the Legends Fireblade.

Now 41, the ‘Blade’ shows no sign of slowing down after adding a 13th triumph to his tally 12 months ago in the second Superstock race to join Ulster legend Joey as the second most successful riders in the history of the event with 13 wins - two behind all-time record holder Robert Dunlop.

Some of Rutter’s most celebrated successes were achieved on Honda machinery in the past in the premier class and although his chances are obvious, the popular English rider singled out Michael Dunlop as a major player this year on the official CBR1000RR Fireblade.

Rutter, who suffered a broken leg during pre-season testing in France with the Honda TT Legends team, told the News Letter: “Obviously we have Michael Dunlop coming on board with the Honda TT Legends team this year and he’s absolutely flying at the moment. He’s definitely going to be one to watch out for.


“It would be nice to add another win but you never know what can happen at the North West 200 at that last chicane or along the Coast Road, because you could be leading there and end up fifth.

“You don’t know until the day how it’s going to turn out.”

Rutter is still feeling the effects of his leg injury although he admits he has more difficulty walking than he does when he’s racing.

In addition to Saturday’s Superbike races on the Legends Fireblade, when he’s also joined in the red, white and blue livery by John McGuinness, Rutter will bid for a repeat of his 2012 Superstock success on the striking black and gold Bathams Honda.

He is also back on board with Ryan Farquhar’s Vauxhall KMR Kawasakai team for the Supertwin 650 races on Thursday and Saturday, when he starts as one of the main favourites alongside team-mate Jeremy McWilliams.




Kyle White
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