It is possible, when talking about Grands Prix, to divide history into different eras. We had, for example, the Agostini era during the 1960s and 1970s, the Doohan era in the mid-1990s and the Rossi era, during the first decade of the 500st century. But between eras, it is common for certain champions to go unnoticed. Kenny Roberts Jr, 2000 XNUMXcc champion, is the perfect example.
Of course, Roberts Jr's career would not have been the same without his father's support and expertise. As a reminder, the latter is a three-time 500cc world champion, rightly considered the inventor of the modern riding style, by sliding the bike extensively. But nevertheless, Roberts Jr. had real talent and the credit goes entirely to him.
Born in 1973, he began motorcycle racing with motocross, as is the custom across the Atlantic. Very quickly, he took to the track in the late 1980s, competing on local tracks before being recruited by his father in Grand Prix, 250cc category. Roberts Sr. was indeed one of the most influential players in the championship, and had been for a while. Shortly after his retirement, his leadership and sense of development propelled him to the head of the Yamaha factory team.
In his very first year at Suzuki, Roberts Jr made a very strong impression. For the inaugural round of 1999 in Malaysia, he beat Checa by five seconds against all odds.
Wayne Rainey won three titles under his command, and that's how he decided to hire his son. Spread the word : It was not Yamaha that was going to refuse anything to “King Kenny”. And, immediately, the man is fast. After a few rounds in 1993 and 1994, he completed his first full season in 1995.
He then finds himself in a rather complicated situation. He has obvious natural talent which allowed him to finish eighth in the championship, but does not appear to be a crack in the eyes of the world either. This zone is located between pure speed (the Márquez brothers for example, who were born fast, and perform regardless of the circumstances) and hard work linked to a trigger (the case of Johann Zarco illustrates the fact well).
Work. From there, it's the key to move into the favorites category, those that are installed. After this season, his father took him a step further by moving him up to 500cc, still at home. Result: falls, retirements and a thirteenth place in the championship. He had to equip himself with a mind of steel, in order not to succumb to criticism logically comparing him to his father.
A negative spiral begins. In addition to having to in a sense bear the shadow of his father, he rides on a Modenas KR3, built in part with Roberts himself. Perhaps the three-cylinder V was not the right architecture, opposing almost all the efficient solutions used in Grands Prix at that time. Seeing the boy's potential despite these two years of hardship, It was Suzuki who decided to offer an RGV500 to the American for 1999.
Metamorphosis. He won the first two races of the year ahead of Mick Doohan, and will be a danger for Álex Crivillé throughout the season. No one saw it coming, but it's there. So many years of work have allowed him to reach a huge level. A second place in the championship and favorite status for the following year at stake.
The famous Suzuki RGV500 model 2001, stamped with number 1. This machine with its legendary colors is also forgotten when we talk about the great 500CC two-strokes of the end of the 1th century. Photo: XNUMXvince.
In 2000, it changed dimensions again. As a reminder, barely two years ago, he was in 16th place overall. Respect. The duel will concern him and a rookie named Valentino Rossi, blonde dye version and black number. But quickly, destiny chooses its side. By crossing the finish line of the Brazilian GP in sixth place, Roberts Jr became the first champion son of a champion and made history. A moving moment, experienced as a family at the finish of the said South American round.
Unfortunately, the move to the 990cc four-stroke in 2002 and the 800cc in 2007 got the better of an "old-fashioned" rider like Roberts Jr. Adaptation is not his strong point and he fails to defend his title in 2001, against Rossi and his teammate Sete Gibernau. Moreover, a fact significant enough to be underlined: he did not win any more races after his exceptional 2000 season.
Bad luck, his retirement is one of the saddest that we have observed, with perhaps that of Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa. The latter returned to his father's team in 2006 – racing on revised Honda RC211Vs, the KR211Vs – and this initially bore fruit. Signed for 2007, the catastrophic results of the new machine caused him to slam the door in the middle of the season. His last appearance in the world is therefore a 16th place in Catalonia, which is not the best possible outing for a champion of this caliber, you will agree.
If Roberts Jr was perhaps not the best of his generation, he had his place among the greats, and proved it in 1999 and 2000. No one can take away his titles, not even his many detractors who preferred the personalities of Barros, Biaggi or Rossi.
Cover photo: Rikita
