| October 15, 2020
Current MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Cameron Beaubier is in line to sensationally replace Joe Roberts in the American Racing Team in the Moto2 World Championship for 2021.
Beaubier clinched his fifth national Superbike title at Indianapolis last weekend and it appears he is the rider most likely to fill the vacant seat in the American Racing squad across to the intermediate category on the world stage.
In a statement confirming the departure of Roberts from American Racing that was released on Thursday, team boss Eitan Bitbul mentioned, “a great opportunity to bring over a very strong American talent for the 2021 season has recently come into play.”
That American talent is Beaubier, a rider with experience on the world stage, namely as a Red Bull Rookie in 2007 and in the 125cc World Championship for Red Bull KTM Motor Sport in 2009.
Beaubier has long been linked with a move to the World Superbike Championship and has made his desire to step up from the national scene known. As recently as September he said, “If I got that Pata (Yamaha) opportunity (in World Superbike), I would jump all over it.”
That particular avenue was closed, however, as Pata Yamaha selected Andrea Locatelli to partner Toprak Razgatlioglu. That desire to compete abroad came at just the right time, as the American Racing Team were spun into action to replace the outgoing Roberts.
After a tough season in 2019 using an uncompetitive KTM chassis, the squad has proved itself to be competitive in 2020 with Roberts scoring three pole positions and a debut grand prix podium at Brno. A first victory was also a very real possibility at last weekend’s French Grand Prix before.
As reported earlier this week, Roberts confirmed on Thursday he will join Italtrans in 2021. Asked about the situation regarding the American Racing Team, the Californian said, “I think it’s a great opportunity for American Racing. Now they have a chance to bring over another American, which is the whole goal of their program.”
Quizzed on the possibility of Beaubier replacing him, Roberts said, “I have heard the rumors about Cameron going there, which would be awesome because he is a good friend of mine. He is a nice guy and I think next year it would be interesting to see him on a Moto2 bike because he has been on Superbikes for a long time. If he needs a tow next year, then I am happy to help!”
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