By Banking last night much needed mileage on the Bathams Racing / Aspire-Ho RC213V-S Honda, Michael Rutter ended Tuesday’s Superbike practice session pleased with the performance of the exotic, lucrative machine.
Following a solid opening lap, Rutter’s ‘Flying Lap’ from last evening aboard the Moto GP derived RC213V-S steed, saw him record a very creditable lap speed of 126.48 mph, placing him fifth on the Superbike practice times sheet.
Finishing just over 3.8 seconds slower than Tyco BMW’s Michael Dunlop, it’s been an overall productive start to Rutter’s latest TT campaign, which marks 25 years since he first tackled the fabled Mountain Course.
Photo by Nick Wheeler
Reflecting recently on Tuesday’s TT action, which also saw him finish 13th quickest Superstock competitor, the eight times Macau GP winner candidly stated:
“Overall, I’m very happy with the session, and the way the bikes are performing. My Superstock bike is so familiar to me, so it’s great to not have to worry about setting it up.
The Honda RC213V is a joy to ride round the TT course, it really suits the place. We’ve made a significant breakthrough on the chassis set up, that I must thank K-Tech for their help with.
The sun was really low for my third lap on the Honda which is really distracting in places, but to finish the session as 5th fastest Superbike, after our first ever laps of the TT with it, is a brilliant start.
I’ve been seeing loads of footage of the Honda on social media, with a lot of emphasis on the sound it makes.
So I must say that it’s great to see so much interest in the bike, and reassure fans that riding it, is every bit as good as it sounds!”
As long as the weather holds, TT fans will have various chances on Thursday, with afternoon, evening practice sessions scheduled to take place, to see up close again the RC213V-S Honda, that Rutter took to second in last November’s Suncity Group Macau Grand Prix.
Words by Stevie Rial
