Dudley Sport

Rutter stays in title reckoning

3:10pm Thursday 2nd September 2010

MICHAEL Rutter warmed up for the start of the British Superbikes Championship title showdown with a solid outing at Cadwell Park to ensure he trails the pacesetters by only 15 points.

Rutter, who had already booked his place among the top six qualifiers with one round to spare, picked up two fifth place finishes at the Lincolnshire circuit.

He had qualified in fourth on his Ridersmotorcycle.com Ducati and tracked around that position in race one before finishing fifth some 14 seconds behind the winner, Worx Crescent Suzuki rider Tommy Hill.

Rutter had looked set to challenge for fourth in race two but couldn’t claw back Michael Laverty on his Relentless Suzuki.

Instead he had to be content with another fifth place finish, thanks to surging past the Swan Honda rider James Ellison on lap 12.

Rutter then finished 11 seconds behind the race winner, HM Plant Honda's Josh Brookes.

The two fifth place spots ensured Rutter heads into the title showdown fourth in the standings.

Ryuichi Kiyonari and Hill are both on 525 points, Josh Brookes is a point behind in third with Rutter on 510 when podium credits are included.

The showdown will now start at Croft on September 12, continue at Silverstone on September 26 and then conclude at Oulton Park on October 10.

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