Rolfo leaves Stiggy after Hopkins signing
Added on Monday, March 23rd, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor
Rolfo leaves Stiggy after Hopkins signing
Roberto Rolfo has walked out on the Stiggy Honda team following the signing of former MotoGP rider John Hopkins.
A clash of personal sponsorship issues has been cited for the Spaniard’s decision following the arrival of Hopkins at the Stiggy Honda team, with the Spaniard stating the decision was due to factors “beyond [his] influence”.
Sports energy drink Monster Energy, who has a long association with Hopkins, is also a sponsor of both Haslam and Stiggy’s World Supersport entrant Anthony West, but not Rolfo.
The Stiggy team officially announced the widely anticipated capture on Friday, with Hopkins lining in up in World Superbikes with British rider Leon Haslam as of the third round of the season in Valencia.
In a statement the team announced: “Stiggy Racing Honda Team finally broke its silence on Friday, confirming that John Hopkins will join the team from the third round of the Superbike World Championship in Valencia. We are sorry to announce the premature ending of our collaboration with Roberto Rolfo, due to insolvable matters of sponsor interest.”
The statement continued: “We would like to thank Roberto for his dedication and the effort he has put into the Stiggy Racing project from the beginning and sincerely hope he will quickly find the opportunity to participate once again in the SBK Championship. The team intends to maintain the excellent relationship it has built with Roberto Rolfo.”
Rolfo added: “With great sadness I have taken notice of the fact that the Stiggy Racing Team and its sponsors have expressed their wishes for another rider to support the team. Based on this outcome, I have decided to end my collaboration with the team.
“I would like to thank my mechanics who have helped me in this short season. I would also like to emphasise the decision, to prevent any miscommunication, has nothing to do with my physical condition, which is perfect at the moment, but is entirely based on reasons beyond my influence.”
