A record breaking win for Steve Plater at Macau GP

Raceline Photography
By blue2bikes
November 18 2006

Steve Plater, aboard his AIM Racing Yamaha 1000, takes a record breaking win, and denies Michael Rutter a seventh victory at the Macau Grand Prix.

Michael Rutter took the lead at the beginning of the 15-lap race, but was passed by Steve Plater on lap four. After a tremendous battle between the two riders, in what could be termed as a repeat of the North West 200 win earlier in the year, Steve went on to win the 40th Grand Prix.

Plater on his AIM Racing Supersport Yamaha R6
© Raceline Photography

Both riders broke the previous lap record no less than four times between them during the race, but with Michael being baulked by a backmarker just two laps from the finish, he was unable to catch Steve and crossed the line under a second behind the winner.

Michael’s team-mate Ian Hutchinson, aboard his Stobart Motorsport Honda 1000, was looking good to present a challenge to Michael, but was passed by Steve and held on to third place to cross the line some 27 seconds behind the leader. Also aboard a Stobart Motorsport Honda, Stuart Easton took fourth place, with Guy Martin on the second AIM Racing Yamaha 1000 taking fifth place.

The runner-up to Michael in the previous four years, John McGuinness - who was tipped to be the man to beat Michael - came home in sixth place and will be disappointed with his result today.

Steve and Michael have as yet not been signed to ride for any team for next year, and speculation is that Michael may well go to racing on pure road circuits - with no confirmed news either way on what Steve will be doing next year. Any team would be proud to have these two hard riding men in their team.

Wherever they go next year you can be sure - should they end up in the same class as each other - that there will be some fireworks when they race against each other. Especially with Steve yet again denying Michael another title win.

Being denied a record breaking seventh win will stay with Michael until next year. Hopefully he will return and take that elusive title, to become the most successful rider at the Macau Grand Prix.