Kenneth Leroy Roberts is an American former professional motorcycle racer and racing team owner. In 1978, he became the first American to win a Grand Prix motorcycle racing world championship. He was also a two-time winner of the A.M.A. Grand National Championship. Roberts is one of only four riders in American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) racing history to win the AMA Grand Slam, representing Grand National wins at a mile, half-mile, short-track, TT Steeplechase and road race events.
Roberts in 1975
Roberts in 1974 competing in an AMA Grand National Championship dirt track event.
Roberts (11) racing in the 1974 250cc Dutch TT, his first world championship Grand Prix race
Roberts in 1978
Grand Prix motorcycle racing
Grand Prix motorcycle racing is the highest class of motorcycle road racing events held on road circuits sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). Independent motorcycle racing events have been held since the start of the twentieth century and large national events were often given the title Grand Prix. The foundation of the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme as the international governing body for motorcycle sport in 1949 provided the opportunity to coordinate rules and regulations in order that selected events could count towards official World Championships. It is the oldest established motorsport world championship.
2021 German motorcycle Grand Prix
Yamaha YZR-M1 MotoGP bike (2006)
Valentino Rossi, riding a Yamaha YZR-M1, at Le Mans
Marc Márquez, riding a Honda RC213V, at Mugello