The first official qualifying session for the Macau Grand Prix this morning (Thursday) was cancelled, due to heavy rain.

There was a free practice earlier in the day where six-time winner Michael Rutter went quickest.

American Jeremy Toye was second.

The story of the day though was Swan Yamaha rider Ian Hutchinson.

Making his comeback to racing after over a year out with a serious leg injury, he clocked the third fastest time.

Returning to the Far East event, Ramsey racer Conor Cummins was 11th of the 27 competitors.

The full times

1 - Michael RUTTER - 2:27.618
2 - Jeremy TOYE - 2:28.887
3 - Ian HUTCHINSON - 2:29.658
4 - Michael BARNES - 2:30.491
5 - Gary JOHNSON - 2:30.671
6 - John MCGUINNESS - 2:31.296
7 - Martin JESSOPP - 2:31.787
8 - James HILLIER - 2:32.139
9 - James STORRAR - 2:33.309
10 - Horst SAIGER - 2:33.518
11 - Conor CUMMINS - 2:33.724
12 - Steve MERCER - 2:33.745
13 - Rico PENZKOFER - 2:34.268
14 - Bruce ANSTEY - 2:34.581
15 - Michael DUNLOP - 2:35.171
16 - Didier GRAMSGER - 2:35.179
17 - Stephen THOMPSON - 2:36.443
18 - William DUNLOP - 2:37.276
19 - James MCBRIDE - 2:37.878
20 - Mark MILLER - 2:39.672
21 - Joao FERNANDES - 2:40.740
22 - Michal DOKOUPIL - 2:41.385
23 - Sean DWYER - 2:41.726
24 - SOU Sio Hong - 2:44.581
25 - Chris CLARK - 2:46.147
26 - Paul SHOESMITH - 2:48.001
27 - Nuno CAETANO - 2:50.102