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Roberto Rolfo, after his fantastic race win in Australia and lying second in the standings, is demonstrating (him too) that age does not have to be a limit for a well-trained and motivated rider, in fact experience and cunning are two fundamental allies for those still running upfront.
The 37-year old Italian has found the perfect fit with the 600 Supersport, his speed is as it was in the early years but, as the perfectionist he is, Rolfo thinks he can do even more: “I've been racing for 19 seasons and I still enjoy it so much. I want to improve in the changes of direction and think I've got better in terms of braking: now I can brake harder that I did when I was young. I've always liked the ‘half cylinders’, like the 250 two stroke and the current Supersport. This year, the championship has leveled out, many of us can fight for the race wins, with three different guys winning the first three races”.
Who's your toughest opponent this season?
“There are many of them - Sofuoglu missed the first two races and crashed at Aragon but as we need he likes the head to head fights and will do all he can to win. Jules Cluzel is another fighter. The toughest of all is Lucas Mahias, as he proved at Phillip Island, I couldn't beat him in an elbow to elbow duel”.
It's your second year with the MV Agusta F3 of team Vamag, how is your feeling?
“It's a private but very professional and well-organised team. At times, we've struggled to find the way, like in Thailand, where we were missing speed and acceleration in corner exit. The guys on my team are working really hard to give me a very competitive bike with which to reach the podium again”.
In the early years, Rolfo had a double commitment - as well as competing seriously in the Grand Prix, Roberto achieved two high school qualifications - an optician's diploma and a language high school diploma: “but I went to university too -he points out, smiling - I started in the Gresini days and continued while the Fortuna team in 250, in the year I came second in the championship. A great sporting result that I achieved by dedicating all my time to that and letting my uni studies slide”.
The next race is taking place at Van Drenthe, the so-called "university" of two wheels…
“Yes, I've always done well at Assen; I recall the third place finish in 2002, with Gresini's Honda NSR 250 - I started eighteenth and climbed up to reach the podium. In Supersport with MV I've also achieved great results. The track is great, I really like it because there are sections where the rider can still make the difference. I'm aiming for the poiudm because I really love to race at Assen and want to graduate there with the bike”.
