Joe Roberts: America’s MotoGP dream lives again / Moto2

Joe Roberts gave the USA Championship team a big party in Austin. The 26-year-old from Malibu finished second in his Kalex, just behind the winner of the first show Sergio Garcia, causing a storm of joy among the team of Aitan Butbul, Coach John Hopkins & Co. The man from California was not the only one running in Austin. Because of his special American painting on his hat, he was the only musician of color in the festival of the mighty Spaniards.

Roberts was just half a second shy of the finish line for his second Moto2 victory after Portimao 2022. And: The sunny boy also managed to win against future MotoGP rider Fermin Aldeguer (Boscoscuro). “I really gave it my all, maybe even to win the race. I’m very happy that we were able to show the fans the show,” enthused former Red Bull Roberts, whose long streaks have recently become shorter and shorter. Roberts was already second on the podium in Portimao and is now second behind Garcia in the World Championship standings, just two points behind.

The truth is: Roberts, who also deals with regular restauranteurs in his personal life, has been performing the way he did the past few years since his return to the US Championship. A defection to the top-rated Italtrans team earned him his first GP win and two more podiums – but in the final reckoning there was no progress in three years. Injuries also set Joe Roberts back. His best last place was seventh overall in the Championship of America in the year of Corona 2020. In 2023, Roberts managed only one podium – now the situation is better.

It’s still early in the year, but Roberts could also be a MotoGP contender. Especially if Liberty Media’s deal for the MotoGP World Championship shakes out, American fans will immediately want to see an American boy in the premier class. The Trackhouse Aprilia team would also be very interested in a hero with an American identity. There couldn’t be a better choice than Roberts right now.