By blue2bikes
May 12 2006

As the weather hots up, so do the North West 200 races starting tomorrow, 13th May, in Northern Ireland - as Michael Rutter is determined to show the HM Plant Honda riders, John McGuinness and Steve Plater, that he has the bike and the attitude to outgun his rivals aboard the Stobart Honda. Although John has taken pole position for the Superbike race, with Bruce Anstey in second position, Michael is in determined mood to show them what he is made of, and will be going all out to make it a double victory in the Superbike races when the flag drops.

Having had one of the closest finishes ever at the North West 200 last year, with compatriot BSB rider Steve Plater, and with Steve already stating that he has come to win and not just to make up the numbers, it will be enthralling racing.

Michael says, “Steve will be wanting to turn the tables this year, and John is the man to beat, although the front row is good enough to start with. And bearing in mind that Steve and John are on the Honda Plant machines this year, bikes that I have previously won on here, this is my chance to show them what I am made of after being dropped by Honda Plant.”

Michael is chasing some big results here this weekend, holding the first ever 200+ mph lap record, which he accomplished here last year, his tally so far is getting ever closer to claiming even more records - with having taken six wins out of the last nine Superbike races, and overall having had eleven wins, Michael is closing on Robert Dunlop’s record of 14 NW wins.

But it won’t be plain sailing for Michael, with John wanting to prove he has lost nothing in road racing terms. Even though his results in British Superbikes do not show what he is capable of, John just loves the road-racing and will be wanting a win.

As already mentioned, Steve will be wanting a win here - as all the others will be. The top ten riders will be wanting to climb the podium and show that Michael doesn’t have it all his own way, as any of them are more than capable of a win.

You can be sure it will be fast and close racing, with any of the top ten riders more than capable of taking a win, and probably one of the best North West 200 races we have seen in years. Hopefully the weather will be kind and stay dry.

Here are the final practice times:

1 John McGuinness, HM Plant Honda, 122.015mph
2 Bruce Anstey, TAS Suzuki, 121.704mph
3 Michael Rutter, Stobart Honda, 121.490mph
4 Steve Plater, HM Plant Honda, 121.047mph
5 Ryan Rainey, IFS Honda, 119.527mph
6 Alastair Seeley, Irish Bike Suzuki, 119.261mph
7 Les Shand, Robinson Honda, 118.943mph
8 Ian Lougher, Stobart Honda, 118.938mph
9 Ian Hutchinson, McAdoo Kawasaki, 118.822mph
10 Guy Martin, AIM Racing, 118.324mph