A new schedule was put in place at the 56th Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix after Thursday’s free practice session was wiped out by wet weather.
The region is experiencing the effects of a tropical cyclone and although practice went ahead for the four-wheel classes, the bikes only compete in completely dry conditions due to the dangerous nature of the 3.8-mile Guia course, which is lined with Armco barriers.
The postponed free practice session was switched to Friday morning, replacing the opening 45-minute qualifying session. The afternoon’s qualifying session will now be a single session to determine grid positions for the 12-lap race on Saturday.
All eyes are on FHO Racing BMW riders Davey Todd, Peter Hickman and Michael Rutter, who go into the race as the favourites.
Saltburn-by-the-Sea rider Todd will ride for Faye Ho’s team at the North West 200 and Isle of Man TT in 2025, and steps up to the British Superbike Championship after winning the National Superstock 1000 title this year for Northern Ireland’s TAS Racing team on the Cheshire Mouldings BMW.
The 29-year-old has had a stellar season, winning three races at the North West 200 and earning his first victories at the TT, where he won the Superstock and prestigious Senior races.
Todd finished as the runner-up behind Hickman in the Macau Grand Prix last November when he rode for Dungannon team Burrows Racing.
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With a big year ahead of him in 2025, Todd will be hoping to put down a marker and take the fight to Hickman, who is bidding for a fifth Macau GP success in Saturday’s race.
“Pete’s a good friend of mine and there can only be positives from being in the same team,” said Todd, whose chances of winning at Macau last year were ultimately thwarted by an incorrect tyre choice.
“We’re similar personalities in that we both do our talking on the racetrack but are very laid back and chilled out away from it. Being alongside each other can only make us both faster and stronger as we’ll share each other’s data and help each other out, improving our strengths and limiting our weaknesses. It can only be a benefit to each of us.
“I’ve known everyone in the team for some time now and we all have a good relationship so their knowledge can only help me improve.
“With more support from BMW for 2025 as well, everything is in place for us to have a successful season.
“I’m going to Macau with a bit of a different view and hopefully we can right the wrongs and take the crown off Hicky.”
Veteran racer Rutter has won a record nine times at Macau and can’t be ruled out. Last year, his race ended early because of a brake issue and the 52-year-old will be eager to make amends.
His protégé Craig Neve is also part of a four-man line-up on FHO Racing BMW machinery.
The European challenge is headed by Finland’s Erno Kostamo, who won the Macau GP in 2022 when many top names were absent due to Covid restrictions.
Kostamo is joined by Frenchman Amalric Blanc and Belgian Laurent Hoffmann.
Paul Jordan is the only rider from Ireland at the event on the Jackson Racing Honda, while Macau regular Sam West and Rob Hodson from Wigan will be aiming for a solid finish.