Delayed Roberts V5 launched in London

Kenny Roberts finally unveiled his all-new V5 MotoGP contender in London last week.

The world launch, attended by celebs including Tara-Palmer Tomkinson and the Royal Family’s Ralph Little, was also the first time that the Proton team’s No1 rider Jeremy McWilliams had seen the bike.

Roberts admitted the project is two months behind schedule, and McWilliams will definitely be on his old two-stroke 500 for the first race at Suzuka in two weeks.

Roberts said: ” We’ve had some problems on the dyno, and I want it to be absolutely safe before Jeremy gets on it. We hope to have it ready for the second GP, in South Africa, but it may be that we’ll continue to race the two-stroke for a little longer. ”

McWilliams added: ” It looks great – I just can’t wait to ride the thing. ”

For an exclusive look at the technology behind Roberts’ V5, see MCN’s free 16-page MotoGP preview on Wednesday, April 2.