Motorcycling: Roberts confident of cutting Criville's lead

KENNY ROBERTS is eager to get on with the serious business of catching the leader, Alex Criville, when the 500cc World Championship recommences tomorrow after its midsummer break. The American Suzuki rider is optimistic about his prospects in the Czech Grand Prix in Brno after ending his Honda rival's long run of success in Germany in July.

Roberts said: "I won there thanks to my aggressive tactics, and I think I can win another three or four races this season."

However, Criville, with five wins to his name this year, was quick to respond, saying: "The only way Kenny has a chance is if I make a mistake."

The German win was Roberts' third 500cc success, all coming this season, and crucially it kept afloat his title bid.

Criville, who took second at Sachsenring, is on 174 points to Roberts' 127. Japan's Tadayuki Okada (Honda) lies third on 113.