Roberto Rolfo believes he has a bike he can now attack with after securing a comfortable season's best qualifying performance of fifth in the latest round of the World Superbike Championship at Magny-Cours.

The Italian has struggled for form this season aboard the Althea Honda, but after his fine showing at Donington Park, prior to crashing, and a double top ten result in Italy, he was on form again in France.

Having eased into qualifying with the sixth best time, Rolfo moved up a position to fifth with a fine lap that even placed him top of the timesheets briefly.

An important breakthrough for the Italian-based team, Rolfo believes he now has the bike he has wanted all season-long.

”I'm very happy with a second row start. This afternoon free session has going well and we found a good setting for the Superpole. I'm pretty happy with my Superpole although I lost some important time in the first sector. Now I feel I can push the bike as hard as I want and I have to thank all my team for their great job.

“We have made real improvements in the bike since our last test in Vallelunga. I am ready for the race and I hope tomorrow stays dry. We have to see whether I can make the good start that I need to really be in the running. I will try to ride aggressively from the second row and go for the best result possible."