Fortuna race notes

One small mistake costs Roberto Rolfo contact with leading trio.

Brno, Czech Republic August 17: One small mistake prevented Roberto Rolfo matching the rhythm set by the leading trio ahead of him in the Czech republic 250cc GP. The balance of the weekend work done by the Fortuna Honda team has left them in optimistic mood for the future.

Rolfo felt good all weekend with the performance of the chassis and suspension of the bike and only the special characteristics of the Brno circuit left him feeling the machine needs just a little more power to be competitive with his closest rivals.

"I didn't make the best of starts and I had to recover quickly as I knew that if the leading group got away it would be very difficult to catch them. Even when I achieved this initial objective later on in the race I made another small mistake which made it impossible, that was the difference." Recognised the Fortuna Honda rider, who now holds third place in the championship having scored points at each of the 10 rounds raced so far this season.

"With the conditions imposed by the characteristics of the circuit, and in respect to the front row starters, it was impossible to close the gap again. When I tried again to close the gap under braking I did not have the acceleration I needed off the corner. It was like an 'Elastic effect' -- close going into the corner, slower coming out. This made it impossible in the end." Added Rolfo.

"The bike worked well in the conditions imposed by the layout of the Brno track, we realise we need a little more power on tracks of this nature. We still have work to do on the engine to be at the same level as our leading competitors. With a little more power I can run with them, anywhere. The most important thing is not to lose too much ground in the races as there is still a long way to go in the championship." The Altadis rider said.

"In general I am very satisfied with the way things have gone all weekend, both the bike and myself have been 100%. However, this is a circuit where you have to work with the power of the bike and we need a little more. But even when we don't have it we have been fighting in the heat of battle for the leading positions. That is important because it indicates the direction we have chosen is the correct one." The representative of Fortuna and Honda manifested.

-fhr-