Roberts urge Honda for more help

The team use a unique self-built chassis powered by a Honda engine, and are the only Honda team not to receive any engine developments from the Japanese manufacturer this season.

Their fortunes reached a new low at Estoril, as rider Kurtis Roberts was three seconds adrift of the next slowest bike for most of practice and retired with a clutch failure just two laps into the race.

"There was a rumour that Honda will have some more horsepower for us at the next race, and I hope it's true, because this is starting to get ridiculous," said Roberts.

"It's frustrating when you are the only guy that hasn't had the engine update yet.

"I've tried to be positive all year, up until now - but it's getting stupid. I don't think anyone would want to ride the thing like it is now. You can't draft anybody, you can't accelerate with anybody, you can't shut anybody off to pass them properly.

"Hopefully it'll get better for Japan."

Team principal Kenny Roberts Senior shared Kurtis' frustration - joking that the clutch failure was not "from the extra horsepower we put in it..."

"We need some help for acceleration, otherwise it's kind of a waste of time," said Roberts Sr.

The team's poor Estoril form was particularly galling as Kenny Roberts Jr had taken the KR bike to third in last year's race, just 0.176 seconds from victory.

Roberts Senior said the difference from 2006 was definitely due to the technical package.

"When we overlay Kurtis' data on Kenny Junior's from last year, he's at the same corner speed or faster, as the 800 should be compared with the 990," he said.

"Last year that was enough for the lap record and to fight to win the race. The problem is the same as all season: we're doing what we can with what we've got, but we need more acceleration and speed from the motor."