I'm very sad to report that Roby Rolfo will not be racing at Monza this week. He crashed his mountain bike and broke a clavicle(spelling?).
Needless to say this is horrible news for me. I'll probably spend sunday in bed, under the covers, sobbing like the cheerleader who just got dumped by the captain of the football team.
And, really, this is bad news for all of you as well. Monza is by far Roby's best track, and he always puts on a show there. Oh well.
I hope it happens with Zemke, although I don't expect a lot mainly due to the Pirelli's. Zemke is fully capable of putting that bike right where Rolfo does - mid-pack.
Don't know for sure about a Dunlop contract but I would doubt that he has a personal contract with them. Erion might have a deal to run their tires but I don't think that would prevent Zemke from riding a different teams bike on different tires.
I have not looked at the race schedule for Miller for a while but if I remember correctly, neither of the classes Zemke runs, race on Sunday. It would be a busy weekend for sure but I would think doable especially for a guy that I think would like to get a chance on a Superbike again.
Keep in mind that Miller is only 3 weeks away and a good showing by Zemke at Monza might, just might, get him a ride for Utah if Rolfo is not healed by then. Zemke would almost certainly have a better finish at Miller than Rolfo anyway due to his track experience, (yes I know WSB are using a different configuration), and the fact that he is a better rider anyway I'm sure that the Miller Group would lobby hard for Zemke to get a seat for their race in the hope of attracting those that need a Yank in the series to get their interest.
Ok, I'm just gonna ignore the comments about Zemke being better than Rolfo. People look at me funny when I laugh too much at work.
The Rolfo prognosis, as per Motosprint, was 21 days. And this appeared in Tusday's eddition, which has to go to press by Sunday night or Monday morning. I don't know when exactly the accident happened.
In all honesty, Zemke doesn't seem to make much sense. Why not Hodgeson? Why not some guy from BSBK (do they have a race next week?)... or really, why not one of a million qualified Italian riders out there? Someone from WSS? Someone from Italian SBK? Even a guy from 250's (wasn't West able to cross over for a few races with no problem, or did it cause an issue with Dunlop?)
And so, with all the predictability you could ask for, I'd like to see Simoncelli get the ride. Or Pasini. Or Poggiali. Or Locatelli. Or Nanelli. Chilli out of retirement for Monza?? Just kidding.
In all seriousness, the reaction of most European superbike fans to Zemke would be, "Jake who????"
Problem with Zemke riding WSBK at Miller is that he already runs two classes in AMA. He's not out of either championship by a long shot so it would be a stretch if not an outright impossibility for him to ride WSBK too at Miller.
Interesting question. Jake's team is contracted to Dunlop, but maybe Zemke, being the big shot that he is, has a clause in his contract to allow him some one-off wildcard rides should the opportunity present itself and tires be damned. I guess we'll find out soon enough.
Rolfo.......Don't be so myopic. The series needs an American rider to generate interest in WSB and the upcoming round at Miller. Zemke is the logical choice for the ride as he is not currently riding for a factory team and he has recent Honda superbike experience. No question that he is not the most deserving rider based on performance but then again, neither is Rolfo. As someone else pointed out, Zemke is just as capable of finishing 17th as Rolfo is. Try taking off your Italia glasses and see a broader picture. Oh, and BTW....who gives a crap what most European superbike fans will think ???????
Zemke won in 2006 at miller on the same 3mile track WSBK will be running this year AMA will be using the 4.5mile track this year.
Ding,ding,ding...We have a winner!
robertorolfo -
In all honesty, Zemke doesn't seem to make much sense. Why not Hodgeson? Why not some guy from BSBK (do they have a race next week?)... or really, why not one of a million qualified Italian riders out there? Someone from WSS? Someone from Italian SBK? Even a guy from 250's (wasn't West able to cross over for a few races with no problem, or did it cause an issue with Dunlop?)
And so, with all the predictability you could ask for, I'd like to see Simoncelli get the ride. Or Pasini. Or Poggiali. Or Locatelli. Or Nanelli. Chilli out of retirement for Monza?? Just kidding.
In all seriousness, the reaction of most European superbike fans to Zemke would be, "Jake who????"
In all honesty, Zemke doesn't seem to make much sense. Why not Hodgeson? Why not some guy from BSBK (do they have a race next week?)... or really, why not one of a million qualified Italian riders out there? Someone from WSS? Someone from Italian SBK? Even a guy from 250's (wasn't West able to cross over for a few races with no problem, or did it cause an issue with Dunlop?)
Someone from BSB might make sense like one of the privateer Honda guys. An Italian rider might make sense too. A 250 guy? I don't think so. Any decent 250 rider doesn't really have anything from doing a wildcard at Monza unless he is thinking about going to WSBK instead of Moto GP.
And so, with all the predictability you could ask for, I'd like to see Simoncelli get the ride. Or Pasini. Or Poggiali. Or Locatelli. Or Nanelli. Chilli out of retirement for Monza?? Just kidding.
What would Simoncelli have to gain from racing in WSBK? He is already doing decent in 250's and could be a title contender. So is Pasini. Nanelli ain't even doing much in WSS, why would he skip that to do WSBK? I doubt the other guys would do well on a superbike with one weekend to get it right.
In all seriousness, the reaction of most European superbike fans to Zemke would be, "Jake who????"
So what? It's not like Giovanni Bussei was going to set the world on fire either.
Ben Spies has the same sort of contract with Dunlap, however it has been announced that he will ride both rounds of the USGP in Indy and California in MotoGP. So obviously these sorts of contractual issues can be overcome. That said Zemke is not a logical choice to replace Rolfo, most likely another European rider will get the call.
I'm sure that the Miller Group would lobby hard for Zemke to get a seat for their race in the hope of attracting those that need a Yank in the series to get their interest.
