Joe Roberts To Moto2 World Championship Beginning With Brno Race

Joe Roberts, the first rider to wrap up a MotoAmerica Championship in the series' debut season of 2015, will be the first MotoAmerica rider to get a shot at a world title after being promoted by his FIM CEV Repsol Moto2 European Championship team to compete in the remaining rounds of the FIM Moto2 World Championship.

Roberts won the 2015 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 series with nine victories. He also won a Supersport race in the final round of the 2015 season when he made the jump to that class after wrapping up the SST600 crown. The 20-year-old Californian will replace Colombian Yonny Hernandez on the Moto2 Arginano & Gines Racing (AGR) Team entry beginning with the next round at Brno in the Czech Republic, August 4-6.

“I was surprised to get this opportunity so soon,” Roberts admitted. “It’s been my dream ever since I was a little kid to race in the world championship. I was hoping for next year to get an opportunity, so for me to get it this year is amazing. My expectations are basically to keep learning as much as possible and hopefully make some big steps riding with these phenomenal riders—some of the best riders in the world.

Roberts has been competing with the AGR Team this season using a Kalex chassis and has earned two podium finishes in the past four rounds. He currently is fifth overall in the points standings and will continue to chase that championship as he pulls double duty for the remainder of the season.

"From the start of this year until now I’ve learned so much about this bike and the team seems quite happy with the way I’m progressing," Roberts said. "The best thing is to keep that going and we’ll see what happens. Thank you to everyone in the team for giving me this amazing opportunity. It’s a dream come true.”