Strong rumour circulating the International Motorcycle Show yesterday says that the NorthWest 200 road race organisers will pull the plug on the Ducati team if it doesn't have Michael Rutter riding in 2009.

The team was set-up to promote the Ulster race in the first place and it appears pointless to have someone riding under the race's banner if they're not a road racer.

It has been suggested that the money North West 200 put into the team will be removed and go wherever Michael Rutter ends up, which looks to be alongside Sylvain Guintoli at Crescent Suzuki.