Photo by Kelvin Wong
The 2014 Macau Grand Prix began with Stuart Easton gaining a terrific start on Paul Bird motorsport ZX10 Kawasaki as Lee Johnston slotted into second position.
At Lisboa corner on opening lap reigning Macau GP champion Ian Hutchinson attempted to go into second place but ran straight on forcing the eight times TT winner out of contention.
By the end of lap 1 Stuart Easton held a half a second advantage over Lee Johnston with Michael Rutter close behind in third place. Horst Saiger held fourth position whilst Gary Johnson and Martin Jessopp where both in determined mood behind.
Photo by Kelvin Wong
Onto lap 2 and Gary Johnson moved into fourth position whilst Johnston and Rutter where closer together in the battle for second place as Easton pulled out a moderate advantage out front. By the completion of lap 2 Easton held over a second advantage over the chasing pack as we entered lap three.
Michael Rutter moved into second position on lap three as Stuart Easton’s lead grew further as the three times former Macau GP winner was proving why he is considered a master of the iconic road race circuit.
Positions within the top four remained the same by the end of third lap and same on lap four but on lap number five Martin Jessopp and the Riders motorcycles S1000RR BMW moved into fourth in front of Gary Johnson.
Photo by Kelvin Wong
Both of them were reeling in Rutter and Johnston as they gradually where beginning to put themselves into contention for podium finishes. Out front Stuart Easton’s lead by the end of lap six was over eight seconds, but the battle for second position was not as clear cut as Rutter and Johnston continued to battle it out.
Gary Johnson was back into fourth place as he and Martin Jessopp continued to get quicker and quicker as the race went on. By the end of laps seven and eight positions within the top five remained largely the same although both Johnson and Jessopp where both closing in rapidly on third placed Lee Johnston.
Onto lap nine and East Coast racing’s Lee Johnston and Milwaukee Yamaha’s Michael Rutter continued to battle it out for second as Martin Jessopp moved back into fourth place. Stuart Easton’s advantage at the front grew to over 16 seconds, it was becoming clear that the talented rider had the race in complete control with three laps to go.
Lap 10 would see a plenty happening behind the Paul Bird motorsport rider as Jessopp moved into second position as Rutter and Johnston went down to third and fourth with Johnson close behind. Soon though the 2014 supersport TT race 1 winner moved in front of Lee Johnston and set after reeling in Jessopp and Rutter.
Penultimate lap of the race saw Michael Rutter and Martin Jessopp involved in a tremendous dice for second as race leader Stuart Easton went onto final lap with a hugely comfortable advantage.
Photo by Kelvin Wong
The rider who had been victorious around Macau back in 2008, 2009 and 2010 made it a fourth Macau GP victory following a scintillating performance. Michael Rutter edged out Martin Jessopp for second position following a great battle between them.
Gary Johnson finished in fourth place following an excellent performance from the rider competing on Quattro Plant backed CBR 1000 Honda Fireblade. Lee Johnston secured fine fifth place finish whilst Horst Saiger impressed greatly in rounding out the top six.
Photo by Kelvin Wong
TT legend John McGuinness was a battling seventh on Lee Hardy racing CBR 1000 Honda Fireblade whilst Dan Cooper recorded personal best finish around Macau finishing a hugely creditable eighth.
Romann Stamm competing on team Bollinger Switzerland ZX10 Kawasaki was a great ninth as Stephen Thompson who always enjoys competing around Macau finalised the top ten.
Multiple times international road racing championship winner Didier Grams was a solid 11th, Davy Morgan secured personal best Macau GP finish of 14th position and newcomers to Macau Dan Kruger and Michael Sweeney enjoyed productive races finishing in 20th and 21st.
Photo by Kelvin Wong
Another entertaining Macau Grand Prix which saw Stuart Easton make it Macau Grand Prix victory number four, plus many riders achieved personal best results at a road race which over the years has produced many a famous race and will continue to do for many more years to come.