Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

American Honda’s Ben Bostrom is disappointed that the team doesn’t plan to participate in the World Superbike races at Laguna Seca Raceway July 10-13.

“I don’t really have much to say about it except that I’m a rider, and I just want to ride,” said Bostrom Thursday from his home in Las Vegas, Nevada. “It’s not my decision, but I hope they change their mind. I think it would be great for the sport.”

Bostrom said that he partly understands American Honda’s marketing reasons for not running the World Superbike races, “But I can see the other side of it, too, where it’s just a Honda in general. I think, right now, we have such a good chance of winning.

“It’s starting to get better on the bike. Even though it looked like a disaster there at Road America, believe it or not we learned quite a bit, and we were actually pretty fast. We just did terrible, maybe made a couple of bad decisions on tires and things, but I know by the time we get to Laguna we should be in it.

“With the way the AMA’s going and World Superbike, the (AMA) boys are on pace. It would be neat to see the AMA guys sweep the podium.”

Asked about the possibility of riding in the AMA Supersport race at Laguna Seca, Bostrom laughed as he said, “It’s not quite the same. One, you’re riding in a World event. The other, you’re riding in Supersport. It’s not the same.

“I would definitely ride the bike. I’m there to support Honda. The CBR600RR is a great little bike, but honestly, I would like to ride World Superbike, also.”

Bostrom has started the last 10 World Superbike races at Laguna Seca, winning three, and has finished on the podium a total of six times with a worst finish of eighth.

Erion Honda’s Kurtis Roberts has never run the World Superbike races at Laguna Seca but is more concerned about his AMA Superbike Championship position.

“I want to do whatever they want to do, as far as the team, and whatever is going to keep them happy,” said Roberts. “We have a Championship run to concentrate on. If that’s throwing too much stuff into the mix, then that’s fine with me. I didn’t sign a contract with them to do World Superbike. I signed it to do the AMA Superbike.

“I had already talked to them a little bit about it prior, especially to my Crew Chief (David McGrath) and whatnot. And that’s their decision. I could care less, really.”

American Honda’s Miguel Duhamel could not be reached for comment at post time.