Kenny Roberts still keen to see Jonathan Rea on KR212V MotoGP motorcycle

HM Plant’s Jonathan Rea could still get to ride for Kenny Roberts with the squad confirming they are interested in offering the Honda British superbike star a full-time ride in the 2008 MotoGP world championship. 

If the British-based team can secure a deal to run two bikes next season HM Plant’s Jonathan Rea could still get to ride for Kenny Roberts with the squad confirming they are interested in offering the Honda British superbike star a full-time ride in the 2008 MotoGP world championship.

If the British-based team can secure a deal to run two bikes next season Rea would be a leading contender after his impressive performances in this year’s British superbike series, including his first ever double victory at Knockhill last weekend.

That 50-point haul moved him just 11-points behind HM Plant Honda team-mate Ryuichi Kiyonari.

Team Roberts manager Chuck Aksland told MCN: “He’s one of the bright young kids coming up. There seems to be a major thrust on bringing British riders in MotoGP.

“We are interested in younger guys and to keep this programme rolling we need to get younger riders through. I’m a fan of watching him and guys we have worked with in the past are good friends of his who speak highly of him like Jeremy McWilliams.

“On the phone he’s very well mannered and I know he is determined and puts a lot of effort into what he does.”

It was rumoured at last month’s British MotoGP that should Team Roberts be on next year’s MotoGP grid that bosses would launch a bid to land Rea on a two-year contract.

Chuck Aksland added: “It’s a bit too early to look at that but we are interested in younger guys and always have been.  He kind of fits all the criteria so he’s at the right place in his career where if he is able to get on a MotoGP bike it will be more of an advantage than a disadvantage.

“It’s too early to speculate on riders for next year but when we do and if there is an opportunity his name will definitely be on the table.”

Rea could still get to ride the KR212V 800 MotoGP machine in 2007 despite the bitter disappointment of missing out on a dream British MotoGP appearance.

Team Roberts will request to Honda for permission to give Jonathan Rea a test ride on the bike at a two-day session immediately after next month’s Czech Republic MotoGP in Brno.

Jonathan Rea told MCN: “I had a meeting with the team at the British GP on Friday and they’re keen to get me on the bike in the near future, talking about the possibility of me testing it at Brno.

“The team have a two-day test there straight after the MotoGP round. I’d like to have a go on it for the experience and also to help them out too.”

A possible test session for Rea was confirmed by Team Roberts manager Chuck Aksland who said: “If the opportunity came up down the road I’d definitely like to see him give the bike a ride. When I talked to him about the Donington thing he seemed pretty bummed out about it so hopefully we’ll get chance to work with him in the future.”
 would be a leading contender after his impressive performances in this year’s British superbike series, including his first ever double victory at Knockhill last weekend.

That 50-point haul moved him just 11-points behind HM Plant Honda team-mate Ryuichi Kiyonari.

Team Roberts manager Chuck Aksland told MCN: “He’s one of the bright young kids coming up. There seems to be a major thrust on bringing British riders in MotoGP.

“We are interested in younger guys and to keep this programme rolling we need to get younger riders through. I’m a fan of watching him and guys we have worked with in the past are good friends of his who speak highly of him like Jeremy McWilliams.

“On the phone he’s very well mannered and I know he is determined and puts a lot of effort into what he does.”

It was rumoured at last month’s British MotoGP that should Team Roberts be on next year’s MotoGP grid that bosses would launch a bid to land Rea on a two-year contract.

Chuck Aksland added: “It’s a bit too early to look at that but we are interested in younger guys and always have been.  He kind of fits all the criteria so he’s at the right place in his career where if he is able to get on a MotoGP bike it will be more of an advantage than a disadvantage.

“It’s too early to speculate on riders for next year but when we do and if there is an opportunity his name will definitely be on the table.”

Rea could still get to ride the KR212V 800 MotoGP machine in 2007 despite the bitter disappointment of missing out on a dream British MotoGP appearance.

Team Roberts will request to Honda for permission to give Jonathan Rea a test ride on the bike at a two-day session immediately after next month’s Czech Republic MotoGP in Brno.

Jonathan Rea told MCN: “I had a meeting with the team at the British GP on Friday and they’re keen to get me on the bike in the near future, talking about the possibility of me testing it at Brno.

“The team have a two-day test there straight after the MotoGP round. I’d like to have a go on it for the experience and also to help them out too.”

A possible test session for Rea was confirmed by Team Roberts manager Chuck Aksland who said: “If the opportunity came up down the road I’d definitely like to see him give the bike a ride. When I talked to him about the Donington thing he seemed pretty bummed out about it so hopefully we’ll get chance to work with him in the future.”