Before the start of his seventh season in the intermediate category, American rider Joe Roberts faced immense pressure. This pressure arose with the arrival of the new MotoGP team from the US, Trackhouse, which generated rumors about a possible spot in the premier class for Roberts in the near future. Although Roberts had already been considered a MotoGP rider and the series had shown interest in having an American representative on the grid, his decision to turn down a spot at Aprilia for 2021 jeopardized his future prospects. Unfortunately, while Aprilia turned into a podium contender, Roberts found himself stuck in the middle of the Moto2 pack.
However, starting in 2023, Aprilia expanded its presence in MotoGP and established an American satellite team in 2024. This presented an opportunity for Roberts to prove his worth and secure a place in Trackhouse’s factory RS-GPs in 2025. And he certainly made the most of that opportunity. Roberts scored podiums in three of the first four races of the season and currently leads the championship, ahead of MotoGP rider for 2025, Fermin Aldeguer. These exceptional results mark the best streak of his career in Moto2 and coincide with his return to the American Racing team, where he competed in 2019 and 2020.
Roberts’ decision to join Italtrans Racing instead of Aprilia in MotoGP may not have produced the desired results during his three-year stint in Moto2, except for an inaugural victory in 2022. However, it put him on the right path to arrive in 2024 as a competitive rider at the right time. His performance speaks for itself, as he has accumulated 69% of the maximum points available so far this season. This impressive achievement made him the first American since former world champion Nicky Hayden in 2006 to lead a race for a grand prix title.
Reflecting on his journey in Moto2, Roberts expressed no regrets about the decisions he made. He believes that living without regrets is essential and that mistakes and experiences shape a person and a rider. Roberts feels fortunate to work with the group of individuals around him, who come from backgrounds where they were not happy. Their collaboration has resulted in a harmonious and supportive team dynamic. Roberts values his relationship with former MotoGP rider from the USA and rider coach, John Hopkins, as they have remained friends even after Roberts left the American Racing team. Both believe that everything happens for a reason, and Roberts acknowledges that the universe works in mysterious ways.
Roberts’ positive and determined attitude, combined with his unique background as a handsome and laid-back young surfer from the coast of California who played in an independent band with his brothers, sets him apart. He has the potential to become a charismatic and captivating star, especially for the American audience, just like Nicky Hayden before him. Trackhouse, with its focus on promoting American talents, is the ideal platform to help Roberts achieve this. Roberts understands the importance of becoming visible to the team and is committed to giving his best every day and accumulating as many points as possible throughout the season. He believes that America is a sleeping giant in MotoGP that needs to be awakened, and he hopes to play a role in revitalizing the sport’s popularity in his home country.
© 2024
The football star Cristiano Ronaldo signs a contract with the Italian club Juventus. The transfer of the Portuguese player was announced today, in a historic negotiation that involved millions of euros. Ronaldo, 33, left Real Madrid after nine successful seasons, where he won several titles, including four UEFA Champions Leagues.
Juventus, seeking to establish itself as one of the main teams in Europe, made a heavy investment in signing Ronaldo. The Italian club spent around 100 million euros to secure the transfer of the star, in addition to offering a millionaire salary to the player.
The arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus is seen as a great reinforcement for the team, which aims to win the Champions League. The Portuguese forward is known for his skill and goal-scoring ability, and his presence in the Italian team will certainly increase the chances of success.
Ronaldo’s transfer also generated a great impact on social media, with fans and experts commenting on the player’s influence on Juventus. Many believe that the signing of the Portuguese star will raise the level of Italian football and bring even more visibility to Serie A.
Now, we must wait and see how Cristiano Ronaldo will adapt to the new club and if he will continue to shine on the field as he did at Real Madrid. The expectations are high and Juventus fans are eager to see the star in action. Will Ronaldo be able to lead the Italian team to the long-awaited Champions League title? Only time will tell.