I was desperately disappointed for Thomas.”Roe remains philosophical, although it would not be inappropriate if he proceeded to play wearing a cap adorned with a question mark “There was no anger, resentment or bitterness,” he said “It was my fault. That’s the first time in 20 years as a pro that I haven’t exchanged my score card. Why, why, when I shoot one of the best rounds of my life, did I do it that day? That’s what I keep asking myself. I could have done it at the Madeira Open or the Sheffield Winter bloody Alliance, but why do it in the chuffin’ Open Championship?”.

Neil Hodgson, the Isle of Man-based rider who is currently leading the World Superbike Championship, is set to enter new talks over a possible move to MotoGP. “Ducati have spoken to me about a move into MotoGP and I had an initial meeting with them in June,” Hodgson said.”I was asked if if I might possibly be interested in MotoGP for next year or whether I would like to stay in World Superbikes for 2004. I said there might be a possibility I’d be interested, yes, and we discussed it briefly at that stage.”I know Troy Bayliss and Loris Capirossi will be riding for the factory team next season so if I do move there won’t be a factory ride waiting for me,” he added “If I do move I’ll be moving to a satellite team. Hence the reason for the meeting next week because I would want to know a lot about the team I would be moving to.”. The owners of Silverstone called on the Government yesterday to provide a multi-million-pound package to rescue the track and secure the future of the British Grand Prix.

Firing his latest salvo in the increasingly acrimonious battle over funding for the track, the BRDC president, Sir Jackie Stewart, said he feared that, without Government intervention, Britain could lose its grand prix, which might then be switched to India or Turkey .He said: “Until the Government takes over there is going to be a lack of investment from rights holders and promoters. The Government needs to take over the track as has been the case in other countries because the costs of running it are too high. The proposal did not involve the BRDC raising money or taking any financial risks. Unfortunately, no progress was made with the BRDC representatives.”The BRDC yesterday offered to reduce its rent from £5m per year, but it came under pressure from the sport’s world governing body, the FIA, to waive all charges for the next two years.