The frustrating wait is over with the monkey finally lifting off Michael Rutter's back, as he becomes the first man to win seven Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix races yesterday, ending a six-year win drought.
Rutter, who had been tied with Ron Haslam for the most number of wins since 2005, entered his seventh heaven on the back of a superb ride aboard the Riders Motorcycles Ducati 2100, winning a shortened race comfortably to enter the record books.
'This is just fantastic. Looking back, I guess this will always be the most memorable of my wins because, after all, I have broken Ron Haslam's record. I'm well chuffed,' said Rutter.
However, while savouring his victory, Rutter admitted it was a bitter-sweet ending to his odyssey. It has been an emotional week for the 39-year-old Briton, and the rest of the international biking field invited to Macau, as they are facing an uncertain outlook with the future of this race up in the air.
That is because the man responsible for bringing the riders to Macau, and the main co-ordinator, Mike Trimby, told race organisers that he 'does not wish to be considered for involvement after 2011'. This could see yesterday's race go down as a watershed for more reasons than just Rutter's victory.
Rutter twice mentioned the word 'sad' in his post-race press conference, raising the distinct possibility that the Motorcycle Grand Prix might die at age 45.
'This is a sad ending to Macau,' said Rutter in his victory speech, making special reference to the departure of Trimby, who was present at the media conference. 'The thought that this might be the last bike grand prix makes me very sad.'