It’s no secret that a lot of pro roadracers use motocross as a means of training in their off-season: The general theory is that learning to manage the near-constant loss of traction in the dirt helps riders better manage rear wheel spin on their roadrace bikes.
In this YouTube video we get a somewhat rare glimpse of Valentino Rossi riding something other than a 200-plus hp MotoGP machine.
Fans of “King” Kenny Roberts will be in for a treat as the three-time World Champion will ride not once, not twice but three times at Laguna Seca during the 2011 U.S. Grand Prix, July 22-24.
As previously announced, Roberts would join Eddie Lawson and about 200 fans in riding parade laps of the Monterrey, Calif., circuit on the Friday, July 22.
The King will return to the track on Saturday, July 23 to ride a few more laps on the Yamaha YZR-M1 MotoGP bike in the special 50th Anniversary red livery.
And if that weren’t enough, Roberts will ride again on the raceday Sunday, July 24 on the same Yamaha YZR500 he rode to win the 1980 500cc World Championship.
“I’m really looking forward to it!” said Kenny from his home in northern California, “as this will be the very first time I’ve ridden at the USGP and my 31 year old championship-winning YZR is ready to go!”
The Motorcycle.com team will be there at Laguna Seca for the U.S.G.P. so look forward to reading our report on King Kenny Roberts, the MotoGP race and the other festivities.
Related Reading
Ride Laguna Seca with King Kenny Roberts and Steady Eddie Lawson
[Source: Yamaha]
In a year that saw Yamaha riders James Stewart, Valentino Rossi, and Ben Spies capture the perfect “trifecta” of World Championships, perhaps one of the most memorable moments for race fans around the world, was “King” Kenny Roberts’ return ride at the infamous Indy Mile in late August.
As a year end surprise, Yamaha is pleased to offer race fans around the world a video of this monumental occasion. The video features both archival footage from Kenny’s victory in 1975 as well as the events surrounding this recent monumental motorcycling event.
