Hard charger Steve Martin experienced an unjust race weekend at Monza in Italy, with a 16th place finish in race one and retirement in race two unreflective of his and his bike crew's outstanding efforts over the three days.

Steve commented, "I'm obviously just very disappointed with the way the weekend has gone, but it's what you've got to expect when the bikes only get worked on at the track and are not prepared before hand, you've only got a bike crew of two mechanics instead of six to do everything and there are no resources coming your way from the team."

As financial difficulties with the DFX Honda team continue, Steve's bike crew were left with no choice other than to leave to Italian squad the week before the Monza race, leaving the Aussie facing a difficult weekend before it even started.

"We've had a number of technical issues over the weekend which haven't helped progress," continued Steve. "But Baz, my crew chief, and Gary, a former FPR mechanic who stood in for this race, both did a totally amazing job and worked harder than I ever could have asked for. But 2 people just can't be expected, or even try to, do 4 weeks worth of work of 6 guys, in just 3 days!"

Despite a difficult start in race one, Steve was able to put in consistent and competitive race lap times to work his way up the field to 14th. However whilst overtaking Xaus on the final lap to take 13th place at the chequered flag, Steve's Honda started to run out of fuel causing the bike to ‘miss' and the Aussie to drop back to a very frustrating 16th position and out of the points.

Race two saw Steve experience a confusing and slow start, as Lorenzo Lanzi raised his hand on the line indicating that a false start may be called or that the race start was compromised - neither of which materialised. Steve progressively made his way up the field again to 14th by the eighth lap, with further inroads possible as Steve showed good pace. However, further misfortune struck when his Honda's gear lever fell off on lap ten, leaving Steve unable to change gear and therefore ending his race.

Steve's Monza Weekend Round-Up

Friday
1st Free Practice: 18th - 1:49.515
1st Qualifying Practice: 18th - 1:48.149

Saturday
2nd Qualifying Practice: 17th - 1:47.676
Overall Qualifying Position: 18th
2nd Free Practice: 18th - 1:48.945

Sunday
Warm-Up: 17th - 1:48.386
Race 1: 16th
Race 2: DNF (broken gear lever)