Michael Rutter ready for Isle of Man return

The Bridgnorth-based star shows no signs of slowing down and has confirmed he will be competing in the Superbike TT, Superstock TT, Senior TT, Lightweight TT and TT Zero, which is raced on an electric bikr.

Team Mugen will field a two-rider line-up for this year’s one-lap electric bike race, with current lap record holder and reigning winner Rutter paired up with long-time rival and friend, 23-time TT winner John McGuinness, who will be back competing himself for the first time in two years.

Rutter, 46, will be making his return to the team for the second year having won last year on his way to setting a new class lap record of 121.824mph.

Mugen made the formal announcement at the 46th Tokyo Motorcycle Show and have entitled the new project ‘Shinden Hachi’.

Also new this year is the addition of the Black Country-based Bathams Brewery as a new sponsor, with the team now racing under the Team Bathams Mugen banner.

New changes to the bike have already been implemented ahead of the TT including development of the electric drivetrain to provide an increase of output power, and aerodynamic improvements to improve bike stability and reduce drag at the higher speeds the bikes are expected to reach.

“It’s great Bathams has come on board and, as ever, we’re really grateful for their support,” said Rutter

“You’ve got real ale specialists and then high-end Japanese manufacturing all under one roof.

“One thing you’ve always got to get your head around with the electric bikes is the fact there is always brand new technology to deal with every year,” said Rutter.

“We had a few problems last year when the bike nearly broke in half going through Barregarrow, so you’ve got to treat them with respect too. And every time you push them that little bit quicker, new problems turn up.

“It’s just like developing any new bike, really, but this happens every year with these as the technology progresses.

“Other teams are also starting to catch up with the Honda Mugen team too now so we’re expecting quite a bit more competition.

“Being paired with John is also interesting because he won’t want me to beat him and I won’t want to lose to him either.

“I still don’ t think he’s forgiven me from when I beat him on an electric bike in 2013.

“We’ve been in talks with the team for months and everything is now in place.”

Rutter will also start number eight for the for the Superbike and Senior TT – for which he will be racing his MotoGP-spec Honda RCV – sandwiched between the Johnsons, Gary and David, with outright lap record holder Peter Hickman just behind in 10th.

He will also ride a BMW 1000RRR in the superstock and Kawasaki KMR for lightweight. His starting number for those races are yet to be announced.

“I’m happy going off number eight. Peter will be two places behind me, so that’s 20 seconds,” said Rutter, who has been at Silverstone this week with his Bathams Racing team, preparing for round one of the British Superbikes, over the Easter Bank Holiday.

“If he goes passed hopefully I can get a bit of tow from him for a while until he disappears.

“Gary Johnson is in front so he’ll be the person I’ll be aiming to catch him.

“I struggled a bit last year for various reasons, with stuff going on at home and starting a new team but this year we’ll be more settled.

“I’m also looking forward to taking out the RCV because it’s the best bike I’ve ever ridden and should go well at the TT.”