The return of Roberto Rolfo to Superbike

Article from http://www.worldsbk.com/en/news/5-news/6752-the-return-of-roberto-rolfo-to-superbike.html

This year Roberto Rolfo has made a surprise return to World Superbike. At Phillip Island the Italian qualified in an inauspicious last place on the grid but finished just outside the top 10 in both races: 11th and 12th, all things considered pretty good results on Rolfo's debut for the Pedercini team and on the Kawasaki ZX-10R machine. WorldSBK.com spoke to Rolfo about his first impressions back in Superbike.

Welcome back to Superbike Roberto! How did you manage to get so far up the results sheets?

"On Saturday I found an excellent feeling with my Kawasaki, resolving the problems of the previous day. I put my head down at the start, saw that the ZX-10R was responding well and overtook a few other riders. I enjoyed myself, and came back home with a boost to my morale. I'm sure that this is just the beginning: with this bike and this team I can obtain some good results."

What was the best moment of the race for you?

"On the first lap of race 2 I was behind Ayrton Badovini, whose engine suddenly appeared to seize. I almost had to stop to avoid him and lost further ground. But I didn't give up, I caught up with the group ahead and started to pass them. It was great fun!"

You didn't test much in the winter: did you expert such a good result?

"Not only did we not do much testing but in Australia I raced for the first time with the Superbike-spec ZX-10R. The bike I used in testing in Malaysia was more of a Superstock machine than my ‘true' race bike. The mechanics finished fitting the final components on the day of first qualifying at Phillip Island. I didn't expect to get such a good result so soon, but I was confident right from the start: the Pedercini team are fantastic!"

And next up is Donington...

"And I can't wait, because it's one of my favourite tracks. I also go well in the wet, and it often rains there at the end of March ..."