World Superbike News

Roberto Rolfo 2008

There had been some confusion recently after it was confirmed that John Hopkins would be joining the Stiggy Honda World Superbike team, even though they already had two riders, would it remain a three rider team or was one of the riders to be side-lined.

It seems that the decision has now been reached and Roberto Rolfo is the person who will be leaving the team to make way for Hopkins and said on the teams website,

“With great sadness I have taken notice of the fact that the team and its sponsors have expressed their wishes for another rider to support the team.  Based on this outcome, I have decided to end my collaboration with the team.

I would like to thank my mechanics who have supported me in this short season.  I would like to emphasise the decision, as to prevent any miscommunication, has nothing to do with my physical condition, which is perfect at the moment, but is entirely based on reasons beyond my influence.”

Meanwhile, another report stated that Rolfo was sacked from the team to make way for Hopkins after scoring only 3 points in the past two races while his team-mate Leon Haslam is running fifth in the championship.

The team blames a confliction with sponsorship contracts as the reason for the split with Rolfo and the team boss Johan Stigefelt added,

“We would like to thank Roberto for his dedication and the effort he has put into the Stiggy Racing project from the beginning and sincerely hope he will quickly find the opportunity to participate once again in the SBK Championship.  The team intends to maintain the excellent relationship it has built with Roberto Rolfo.”

Rolfo retired from both races at the Qatar round of the championship after suffering from an electrical problem on his machine in race one and then after getting a good start in race two, he was seen dropping further and further back until he returned to the pits.