Peter Hickman and Bridgnorth’s Michael Rutter finished first and second in the 50th Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix, the final round of the Duke Road Race Rankings 2016, to give Bathams/SMT Racing the perfect end to their highly successful season. And with Stuart Easton taking a strong sixth, it was an extremely enjoyable trip to the Far East venue for the team.

Rain on Saturday meant it was a damp start for the morning warm up but by the time the race came under starters orders it was dry all round and a blistering start by Michael saw him grab the holeshot and an early lead.Burton upon Trent’s Hickman wasn’t far behind in fourth.

Just over a second covered the top four and on the tenth lap both Michael and Peter went ahead of Martin Jessopp again under braking at Lisboa. The duo made a small break as Glenn Irwin unluckily retired and although Michael did all he could to find a way past, it was Peter who prevailed at the chequered flag by half a second for his second successive Macau GP win.Michael, having his 22nd visit to Macau, took second and his 17th podium with Jessopp just over a tenth of a second adrift in third.

The top six was completed by Conor Cummins, Horst Saiger and Stuart Easton.

Peter Hickman's race victory, a repeat of his 2015 win moves him into 35th position in the final rankings table up nine from 44th.

Michael Rutter climbs to 34th from 39th up five with Martin Jessopp advancing seven spots from 50th to 43rd.

Conor Cummins moves up one place with his fourth place to 32nd and John McGuinness moves from 26th to 24th with his seventh place finish.

Dean Harrison is the 2016 Duke Road Race Rankings winner, having finished third last year and 2014. Ivan Lintin finishes second for the third year in succession, with 2013 winner, Michael Dunlop third.

Full details of the Duke Road Race Rankings can be found on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DukeRoadRaceRankings