Michael Rutter poised for road racing comeback at North West 200 on Bathams Racing Ducati Superbike after Isle of Man TT crash - 'I love the place'
Michael Rutter is poised to make his road racing comeback following injury at this year’s Briggs Equipment North West 200.
Rutter was seriously injured in a crash in the second Supertwin race at the Isle of Man TT last year after he came off on the third and final lap at the 31st Milestone.
The 53-year-old suffered spine and leg fractures in the incident, which ruled him out for the remainder of the season.
Rutter, a 14-time winner at the North West 200, rode a bike for the first time at the Classic TT in August a few months later, participating in a parade lap around the Mountain Course.
The popular English rider, who owns the Bathams Racing AJN British Superbike team, was among the guests at the live launch of the 2026 NW200 in Belfast on Thursday, when it was officially announced that his rider, exciting talent Storm Stacey, would make his road racing debut at the north coast meeting from May 6-9.
Stacey, already a BSB winner, will ride a Ducati V4R Superbike following Rutter’s decision to switch from BMW machinery to the Italian manufacturer this year.
The 22-year-old is also set to ride a Yamaha R6 in the Supersport class, although his choice of machine for the Superstock races is yet to be finalised.
Stacey’s upcoming debut grabbed the headlines on Thursday, but Rutter intends to join his young protégé on the NW200 grid in less than three months’ time, also riding a Ducati V4R.
“I love riding Superbikes and I really want to race at the North West again, I love the place,” Rutter said. “And hopefully I can help Storm a bit as well.”
Rutter made his NW200 debut in 1992 and famously created history in 2004 when he became the first rider to clock 200mph through the speed trap on the run to Coleraine.
Riding the factory HM Plant Honda Fireblade, Rutter was timed at 201.1mph on the fourth lap – a feat which is still talked about today.
“To win a race is so difficult but I was so lucky back then, I had factory bikes and I was on the Honda HRC bike, which was a rocket ship,” said Rutter, speaking at the launch.
“I thought we could do it, the wind was in the right direction and the bike was flying; I think the bike at the time was something like £600,000.
“To win that race and do over 200mph officially was real nice and people still talk about it today.”