Interview | ‘Hickman is favorite to win GP,’ Rutter says

Ahead of the 52nd Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix, the Times spoke to eight-time champion and legend of Guia Circuit, Michael Rutter and his teammate and two-time winner Peter Hickman, who are contenders to win this year.

Both are racing for Aspire-Ho by Bathams Racing Team and the chances of seeing one of them in first place on Saturday evening is high.

Rutter noted that despite being hopeful for a good result, he needs to have a realistic approach to the race since his motorcycle is brand-new and has not been tested — especially on a street circuit like Macau.

“We never raced this bike before. We did [only] two small tests in England in Brands Hatch [Circuit] and Donington [Park] so the possibilities are unknown really. We could have brought the BMW [S1000RR] that we had last year but we thought we wanted to try something different, so we brought this Honda and until we race it, we won’t know what it can in fact do,” he said.

As for favorites, Rutter has no doubts: “Pete Hickman is the favorite; my teammate has been riding so well in the U.K. and he has also won the Isle of Man TT [among other major road racing events this year].”

Rutter added, “Pete has been riding fantastically this year and we have to say that on paper he is the favorite but as everyone knows, in motorcycle racing sometimes it does not work that way.”

Questioned if the partnership with Hickman is the best possible, Rutter said, “Definitely! We are strong and that’s why we want to win for the sponsors. We wanted to put a strong team together and he was the strongest rider,” adding that putting the teammates in first and second place on the final podium “would be a dream!”
Nevertheless Rutter also noted, “there are very good people [on the grid] like Martin Jessopp with the Ducati and he has been riding really well in the U.K. and then we have Gary Johnson on the Kawasaki. There are groups of riders that have a very good chance, including myself.”

In conclusion Rutter said, “If this bike does what it’s meant to do, we could surprise a few people.”

Hickman also shared his expectations about the upcoming Grand Prix (GP) based on his results and performance so far, saying, “I’m really looking forward to this year’s GP. 2018 has been a strong year for me road racing-wise. I have won at the Northwest 200, Ulster GP and Isle of Man TT so I’m looking to top it off with the Macau GP too!”

Upon being asked if Rutter is the “best match possible,” Hickman said, “I think you hit it right, Michael [Rutter] and I make a great team and between us we have 10 Macau wins so the podium is a strong possibility for us both.”

In Hickman’s viewpoint, riders have to be consistent in order to win in Macau. He said, “For me it’s about being able to be consistent, not always the fastest, but the fastest over the full race distance. That’s what I always concentrate on during practice and qualifying, rather than [just] one fast lap.”

There is something else that the teammates agree upon. If, for Rutter, it is Hickman who holds the best odds of winning the GP this year, Hickman agrees. Questioned on who will win this year’s edition, he responded, “me, of course!”