Michael Rutter, who has monopolised the Macau Grand Prix in recent years, narrowly failed to land an historic victory for the NW 200 Ducati in the Far East on Saturday.

Rutter, with six previous wins in this major race was a hot favourite to make it seven but he failed by just over two seconds to beat Scottish rider Stuart Easton, with regular visitor John McGuinness finishing third.

It was a big disappointment for Rutter, especially with NW200 Clerk of the Course Mervyn Whyte there representing Tourism Ireland.

"It would have been a tremendous result for us had Rutter won. He has been a great flag bearer for our race and of course he was successful at this year’s North West. But, unfortunately, these things can go against you and it was not our day." said Whyte.

" I have signed up some top European riders for the North West next May. Among them is Mark Fissette who, you will remember, gave Joey Dunlop a great race for the 250 class at the l997 Ulster Grand Prix.

"There are more riders of this calibre in the pipe line and hopefully we will have a really international look for our 80th anniversary"

Rutter said: "I did not have the power to close in the final stages, I tried my best but my bike was down in speed. Back in England we had problems and it was touch and go whether we would have a competative engine out here. It was certainly a slower bike than the one I had at Bishopscourt last month when I won the Sunflower Trophy."

It was a good day for Ulster’s Stephen Thompson who finished in sixth place against such strong opposition.

There was a first lap pile-up which resulted in Bruce Anstey taking no further part but Keith Amor, who had stopped, then went back to the start and finished first in the 600cc class which was his best International performance.

He said "My highest place in a big race was third in the Isle of Man TT.”