It was a good weekend until the problem at the start of race two and the problem with my tyre. So it has all ended on a frustrating note and I am not at all happy. The bike worked pretty well in the first race and the tyre was all right as well. It was good to get back on the podium again, because it felt like it had been a long time. I really needed that result and I believed that another podium in race two would be possible. I’m not sure what happened at the start, because I felt that we were held for much longer than normal.
I moved, but so did lots of riders, but I didn’t jump the start. Having the ride-though penalty ruined things for me, but I would’ve struggled in the race anyway because I had been having tyre problems before that. The rear tyre lost grip after one lap and I nearly high sided one lap later coming on to the start straight! The bike was virtually identical to race one and the tyre was the same, so I’m not sure what happened. It was all very disappointing, very frustrating and left me feeling very unhappy.
My family stayed at home this weekend, I was totally solo apart from having my trainer here. Samantha had a girl friend’s wedding on this weekend so the kids have stayed at home with her and their grand parents. It’s been a bit different being here by myself; I haven’t done a race on my own for quite some time, so the bed feels quite big at night time!
Everyone is asking about next year and at the moment I honestly don’t know, I haven’t got a contract signed for next year. Of course I’m in discussion with the Alstare Suzuki team but I believe Francis Batta has to go to Japan to finalise what the budget and the support from Suzuki is. I’ve also heard the rumour of Biaggi…we’ll see.
I think he will be in the paddock for sure on what bike, I don’t know, possibly a Suzuki we shall wait and see. I’d really like to stay here with the team but my results haven’t been so good in the last few races so if we can get a few good results for the end of the season then hopefully they will offer me another contract to stay. That is my plan.
