Dutch MotoGP: Kenny Roberts Junior plays down retirement rumours

Team Roberts has played down speculation that Kenny Roberts Junior has raced in his last MotoGP world championship clash. 

The American stayed at home in California while younger brother Kurtis campaigned the British MotoGP on board the struggling KR212V.

The 2000 world 500cc champion has taken a surprise sabbatical after a torrid start to the new 800cc MotoGP era, and rumours are rife that he may use his home race in Laguna Seca later next month to officially announce his retirement.

Officially his Banbury-based team are saying Laguna Seca will be when the 33-year-old returns to action, with a new chassis coming for his Honda-powered V4.

Asked if rumours of his son’s imminent retirement were true, Kenny Roberts said: “I don’t know.”

Team Roberts manager Chuck Aksland told MCN Kenny Roberts Junior would be in self exile until the bike showed significant signs of improvement.

“I don’t want to put words in his mouth but if he doesn’t have a competitive motorcycle then why come back. As far as I’m concerned he’ll be back when we are ready to have him back.

“But that won’t be until we get something substantially better that will improve the performance of the machine and until that happens there’s no real reason for him to come back.

“He goes to whatever the level of the machine is and right now we don’t think it’s that high. The target is to have him back in Laguna,” said Chuck Aksland.

Read more about the rumours of Team Roberts leaving the MotoGP paddock in this week’s MCN (Wednesday, June 27, 2007).