Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix cancelled: Michael Rutter given win ahead of Peter Hickman after race stops twice for crashes
- Race declared ‘null and void’ by organisers after two red flags but ‘The Blade’ is later named winner
- Several riders taken to hospital with ‘non-life threatening’ injuries after multi-motorbike pile-up
The Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix ended with not a bang but a whimper after two red flags meant that the race was called off for a second time and then cancelled.
Regulations stipulate that for a grand prix to be run, three laps have to be completed. That was not the case so the 53rd Macau Grand Prix at the time of either stoppage so it was declared null and void.
“There is not a result,” said a spokesperson for the organisers. “There will be no podium.”
However, hours later, organisers declared Rutter the winner, meaning the “Blade” had won the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix for a record-extending ninth time. It was the 47-year-old’s first victory at Macau since 2012.
Race commentators had speculated that a result would be given but were unsure whether it would take both attempts to race or just the second.
Michael Rutter was leading when the bikes went in for a second time, having outfoxed teammate Peter Hickman at the restart as the sun set over the famous street circuit on Saturday evening.
