NEWS

MACAU GP: PODIUMS FOR CUMMINS AND HUTCHINSON

22/11/2009

Ian Hutchinson gets up close and personal with some Macau Armco

By David Miller

Paul Bird Kawasaki's Connor Cummins and Ian Hutchinson took second and third place respectively in this morning's Macau GP with Manxman Cummins only trailing winner Stuart Easton by a third of a second after 15 laps.

Cummins closed down Easton's six-second lead and passed the Scotsman with two laps to go as the Hydrex Honda had shot its tyres, but Easton managed to sneak back past Cummins on the last lap.

"There was some confusion at the start of the race and by the time I got going, I'd been held up which had allowed Stuart to build a big lead but little by little, I reeled him in and took the lead going into Fishermans on the last lap but one," said Cummins.

"I thought I could hold him off but Stuart has a lot of experience around here and I got a bad run through the backmarkers so he got by me again but I'm happy enough with second place. The bike has been great and the team is fantastic and I'm delighted with the result."

Hutchinson added: "I got held up early on and by then, both Stuart and Conor had gone but after a bit of a battle with Gary Johnson, I ended up having a lonely race.

"I had to get used to the Pirelli tyres as their characteristics are different to the Dunlops I've been using and also I had to learn the Kawasaki so to finish on the podium is fantastic. We're off out for a few beers tonight and to spend the podium bonus Birdy has promised me..."

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