Veteran Macau Grand Prix winner Michael Rutter had to adjust his race strategy after the traction control on his Penz13.com BMW stopped working on lap one and he had to get used to riding the 200+bhp S1000RR after having electronic aids through practice and qualifying.

Rutter had to take it steady in the opening laps to see where the bike had the most mechanical grip, and that left Martin Jessopp and Peter Hickman to clear off and fight for the win. Rutter set his fastest lap on the last to snatch the last podium spot ahead of old rival John McGuinness and team-mate Gary Johnson.

“I had a brilliant start and thought I would settle in, keep it calm down to Lisboa but a big yellow light came up on the dashboard. I’d had this before with the traction control and running around here with no traction control after having it on all weekend, I was worried what it was going to do,” said Rutter, speaking at Macau.

“It took me a few laps to get used to it but they were in another race anyway. I was fighting for a podium position. In the last couple of laps I put in a big push. My fastest lap was the last lap but I had to trust the traction. John was in the fight because he smelled the pies, and was probably after a few free drinks!”