Kenny Roberts makes Moto2 bid

American legend Kenny Roberts has launched a shock bid to return to world championship racing in 2010, MCN can reveal.

Triple world champion Roberts, who has been out of racing since he quit MotoGP at the end of 2007, has submitted an application to compete in the new Moto2 600cc four-stroke class next season.

Roberts has so far failed to secure a return to the world championship despite protracted negotiations to be part of a major American motorsport project bankrolled by Las Vegas casino and hotel group MGM.

Roberts’ entry was one of 47 teams who applied to be part of the 250cc two-stroke replacement class when the deadline for application closed last Friday in Mugello.

Roberts’ application, submitted on his behalf by former Team Roberts Chuck Aksland from America, was one of the highest profile entries to be received by the International Race Teams Association.

All six independent MotoGP teams – Tech 3 Yamaha, Gresini Honda, LCR Honda, Pramac Ducati and Grupo Francisco Hernando Ducati and Scot Honda all submitted entries for two-rider teams.

A provisional entry list will be drawn up at the next race in Catalunya on June 14.