2011 World Superbike
On Tuesday, the Pedercini Kawasaki team announced who will be piloting the all-new Kawasaki ZX-10R in the 2011 World Superbike Championship: the Italian Roberto Rolfo.
The 30-year-old Kawasaki Superbike rider arrives in the vacant seat of Roger Lee Hayden, who will be competing in AMA Superbike with Michael Jordan Motorsports Suzuki for 2011.
For 2010, Rolfo competed in the debut Moto2 class; his best finishes on the Suter Moto2 motorcycle were a win at Sepang in Malaysia and third at Sachsenring in Germany. Rolfo finished 14th in the overall points standings.
Rolfo has experience in World Superbike; in 2006, he competed with WSBK team Ducati SC Caracchi. Then in 2007 he joined the Hannspree Ten Kate Honda team, and the following year the Hannspree Althea Honda Superbike team.
In 2009 he started the season with Stiggy Honda Superbike team but after only a few races he was replaced by John Hopkins due to the team’s economical problems.
His first World Championship experience goes back to 1996, when Rolfo debuted as a 250cc Wild Card at Mugello in his native Italy. He then competed in the former 250cc Class, which was replaced by Moto2, for seven season, achieving 18 podiums and a second-place finish in the 2003 final championship standings. He also competed in MotoGP in 2005
Roberto Rolfo (Team Pedercini Kawasaki) says: “I’m really very happy to return to the Superbike championship. My three years’ experience in this fascinating and competitive championship was unforgettable and I will try my best to improve my preceding results. I immediately established a good feeling with the entire Pedercini family.”
“They are reputable professionals and we are on the same wavelength concerning next year’s targets. I decided to leave Moto2 because I’m eager to ride the new Kawasaki ZX10R and take advantage of all its great power.”
“It feels grand to be back in Superbike and I’m determined to put a good season together next year. I’m looking forward to testing the new bike very soon and getting familiar with it while also getting to better know my new team. This will be my very first time on a Kawasaki bike.”
Donato Pedercini (Kawasaki Team Manager) says: “Everyone in our team is absolutely delighted to welcome Roberto back to Superbike. He has been competitive in his previous three years in our championship and we are all looking forward to reaching very good results with him, taking advantage of the big potential of the new Kawasaki ZX 10R.”
“We are sure about his talent, motivation and experience and we’ll do our best to give him a competitive bike too. We have already started working very hard on the new ZX10R.”
“The bike is completely new and we have had a bit of time to work together with our suppliers, with Ohlins and in cooperation with Kawasaki, in order to be ready at the beginning of the season. We are scheduling some test sessions before and after the official pre-season tests in Portimao, during which we will further develop the Kawasaki ZX10R.”
Team Pedercini has also confirmed its line-up in the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup team. Marco Bussolotti will ride alongside Leandro Mercado and Bryan Staring.
Marco Bussolotti, a 20-year-old Italian rider came in second place twice in Stock 600 championships, last year his season was halted due to injuries incurred following crashes at Brno, but he’s now ready and looking forward to racing again.
Argentine Leandro Mercado is eager to prove his full potential, while 23-year-old Bryan Staring is the 2010 Australian Superbike champion. Bryan is the only Australian rider who was able to win 125, 600 and Superbike Australian championships and he has really high hopes for big results next year.
Donato Pedercini says: “Concerning the Superstock team, we strongly believe that a team with Bussolotti, Mercado and Staring will put us in a good position to fight for first place in the next Superstock 1000 FIM Cup.”
