Having cemented his place in the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix history books by taking an historic seventh victory in 2011, the legendary Two-Wheel King of Macau, Michael Rutter, will be back this year and on the hunt for a lucky eighth win. The Briton will join fellow countryman and winner at Macau in 2001, John McGuinness, on a pair of SMT Racing Honda 1000cc machines. Rutter was the focus of attention for years as he tried, then managed, to equal Ron Hislop's six-wins record. At last Rutter made the sixth win and, last year, won again for a seven-win record. Question: Does Rutter have anything left to prove?

McGuinness, second quickest in qualifying last year behind Rutter but only sixth across the line, is the reigning outright lap record holder on the Isle of Man TT course and winner of the 2012 Joey Dunlop TT Championship Trophy. He is also currently fourth in the FIM Endurance World Championship, in the Honda Legends team with former Macau rider Cameron Donald.

Martin Jessopp, who impressed with his second place finish last year, is back with RidersMotorcycles.com on a Ducati 1200cc. Jessopp, 27, has been contesting the FIM Supersport World Championship this season, but was handicapped by two shoulder injuries.

For the third year, the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix will also be the season finale for the Duke Road Race Rankings, a series which recognizes season-long performance on the world's premier road circuits.