Ducati 1199 Panigale to Race at Macau Grand Prix

Martin Jessopp, Michael Rutter and the RidersMotorcycles.com team headed to the Pacific island of Macau for the former Portuguese colony’s 58th Grand Prix. They are setting their sights on getting their Ducati 1198R Superbikes on the podium.

Both riders will be competing in the 15 hair-raising lap City of Dreams Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix – 45th Edition which is taking place on Saturday 19th November.

Michael Rutter’s first win at Macau came in 1998 and his last victory was in 2005. This year Rutter is hoping to better the 2nd place result he achieved behind Stuart Easton in 2010, another top podium spot would better Ron Haslam’s record of six wins on the 3.8 mile Guia circuit.

Jessopp said “It is something you have definitely got to prepare well for you reach more than 200MPH down the straights there so it is definitely somewhere you have got to treat with a lot of respect. The British are always strong over there so it is a big race and we stand to possibly have a good result. “With a good Northwest 200 this year I have shown I am a serious contender on the roads and I think we could surprise a few people with a good team result. At the same time you need to have a safe result and not stuff it in the barrier.”

Rutter said “It’s a unique race and you never know till you get out on track, there are some good riders competing but I hope to do well and winning would be a bonus. I am now totally recovered from the injuries acquired at Cadwell Park earlier in the BSB season and am 100% fighting fit and ready to go.”

The 58^th Macau Grand Prix will be held from November 17^th to 20^th 2011. Practice and qualifying sessions will take place on 17^th and 18^th (tomorrow and Friday), with the races on November 19^th and 20^th(Saturday and Sunday).