Before the start of his seventh season in the intermediate class, American rider Joe Roberts faced immense pressure. This pressure stemmed from the arrival of the new US MotoGP team, Trackhouse, which sparked rumors about a potential premier-class seat for Roberts in the near future. While Roberts had previously been considered a MotoGP rider and the series had shown interest in having an American representative on the grid, his decision to turn down an Aprilia ride for 2021 put his future prospects at risk. Unfortunately, while Aprilia transformed into a podium contender, Roberts found himself stuck in the Moto2 midfield.
However, starting in 2023, Aprilia expanded its MotoGP presence and established an American satellite team in 2024. This presented an opportunity for Roberts to prove himself and secure a spot on Trackhouse’s factory-spec RS-GPs in 2025. And he has certainly made the most of this opportunity. Roberts has achieved podium finishes in three out of the first four races of the season and currently leads the championship ahead of 2025 MotoGP signing Fermin Aldeguer. These outstanding results mark the best streak of his career in Moto2 and coincide with his return to the American Racing squad, where he competed in 2019 and 2020.
Roberts’ decision to join Italtrans Racing instead of Aprilia in MotoGP may not have yielded the desired results during his three-year Moto2 stint, aside from a maiden win in 2022. However, it set him on the path to arrive in 2024 as a competitive rider at the perfect time. His performance speaks for itself, as he has accumulated 69% of the maximum points available so far this season. This impressive achievement has made him the first American since former world champion Nicky Hayden in 2006 to lead a grand prix title race.
Reflecting on his journey in Moto2, Roberts expressed no regrets about the decisions he has made. He believes that living without regrets is essential and that mistakes and experiences shape a person and a rider. Roberts feels fortunate to be working with the group of individuals surrounding him, who come from environments where they were not happy. Their collaboration has resulted in a harmonious and supportive team dynamic. Roberts cherishes his relationship with former US MotoGP rider and rider coach John Hopkins, as they have remained friends even after Roberts left the American Racing team. They 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 good-looking hippie surfer kid from the California coast who played in an indie band with his brothers, sets him apart. He possesses the potential to become a charismatic and relatable star, particularly for the American audience, just like Nicky Hayden before him. Trackhouse, with its focus on promoting American talent, is the ideal platform to help Roberts achieve this. Roberts understands the importance of making himself 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.