Kenny Roberts: Full Biography
Kenny Roberts is an American former Grand Prix motorcycle racer and team owner. In 1978 he became the first American to win a Grand Prix world championship, and he won the 500cc title three years running.
Modesto He came from American dirt track, where he took the AMA Grand National Championship in 1973 and 1974 and became only the second rider after Dick Mann to win all five types of event that made up the series. He raced in Europe once in 1974, at Assen, and took pole position and the fastest lap on his debut. He went back to America and stayed there until Yamaha, unable to build a dirt-tracker that could beat Harley-Davidson, sent him to Europe full time in 1978.
King He won the 500cc championship at the first attempt, from Barry Sheene, and then won it again in 1979 and 1980. His method was borrowed from the dirt: brake early, get on the throttle, and steer the bike on a spinning rear tyre. It looked violent and it was faster, and it is how Grand Prix motorcycles have been ridden ever since. Hanging off with a knee out, he taped foam to his leathers, which is where knee sliders come from.
Team Roberts He fought the governing body over starting money and circuit safety, refusing a winner’s trophy in Spain in 1979 and planning a breakaway series in 1980 before the FIM gave ground. He retired in 1983 after losing the title to Freddie Spencer by two points, and built a team instead: Wayne Rainey won three consecutive 500cc championships for him.
