TT star Hickman romps to fourth Macau GP success

Race winner Peter Hickman leads Michael Rutter around the challenging 3.8-mile Guia circuit

Thirteen-time Isle of Man TT winner Peter Hickman secured a fourth career success at Saturday's Macau motorcycle grand prix in southern China.

Two-time British Superbike champion Josh Brookes placed fourth on his debut over the 3.8 mile Guia circuit.

The race was re-started after two riders crashed in the initial running.

Republic of Ireland rider Brian McCormack and female Dutch competitor Nadieh Schoots both went down on the opening lap but were described as "comfortable" after being taken to hospital.

Lincolnshire racer Hickman had set the pole position time in qualifying and dominated the race from the start to clinch his first win at the event since 2018.

Todd, riding a Burrows Engineering/RK Racing BMW, gave chase in the early stages, but ultimately had to give second best to his rival.

The Yorkshireman was forced to miss the initial running of the race as he pulled his bike off the grid with a mechanical problem, but was afforded another opportunity when the red flags came out following the incidents involving McCormack and Schoots at the same area of the track.

Brookes appeared set to mark his bow with a podium finish as he occupied third position for a spell, but then was overhauled by last year's runner-up Datzer.

Rob Hodson and Swiss rider Lukas Maurer made up the top six, followed by Northern Ireland's Paul Jordan and Dominic Herbertson.

Record nine-time winner Michael Rutter was forced to retire after holding on to third spot early on, while last year's winner Erno Kostamo, Australian David Johnson and Phil Crowe also failed to finish.