Changes ahead at Team Roberts - EXCLUSIVE.

By Peter McLaren

Team Roberts held mid-season discussions with MV Agusta about the possibility of running a factory WSBK outfit next year, but the Italian factory - whose planned partnership with Foggy Racing was recently scrapped - seems to be backing away from the series.

"Although we had some exploratory discussions with MV, that was in the middle of summer and we have not really spoken since. I think their interest in participating next season has gone away, but that is something you would have to ask them directly," Team Roberts team manager Chuck Aksland told Crash.net.

"If an opportunity to participate in World Superbike came up, then we would certainly look at that as one option," Aksland continued. "We already develop parts for some teams participating in World Superbike, so this could be a natural progression. Of course, it takes either working with a manufacturer or having a sponsor to have this sort of project make sense. As I mentioned, if the right opportunity came up we would certainly look at it."

But the main aim is MotoGP, where Team KR - the only independent outfit on the 19-rider grid - has used Honda engines and Michelin tyres to compliment its Banbury-built chassis for the past two seasons.

The first year of the collaboration was a spectacular success, with former world champion Kenny Jr coming within one lap of winning the 2006 Portuguese Grand Prix, during a season in which he scored two podiums and claimed sixth in the championship.

However, the change to 800cc engines and introduction of new tyre restrictions for 2007 hit Honda and Michelin hard - and combined to deliver a hefty double-blow to Team Roberts. With Honda's new engine lacking output, HRC threw all its resources into the factory Repsol Honda Team in a bid to close the gap to its rivals as quickly as possible. Much needed new parts then slowly filtered down to the satellite Honda teams from mid-season onwards, but are still to reach Team Roberts.

Meanwhile, the new process of selecting tyres before the grand prix weekend had begun caught Michelin off-guard, compared to Bridgestone, which had effectively been operating in that way since joining the premier-class. Add to that the unique characteristics, and therefore tyre demands, of the KR211V and Team Roberts were left in difficult situation.

At first Team KR concentrated on the most significant component under its control, the chassis, and tried to build its way out of the early-season problems. Kurtis Roberts replaced exasperated brother Kenny as that process took place but, although progress was made, it was soon apparent that engine power and more appropriate tyres were needed to lift the team from the back of the grid.

Neither looks likely in the three remaining rounds of this season, but Team Roberts now has one eye on the creation of a full, sponsor-friendly, two-rider team for 2008 - which would mean an end to the Honda partnership.

"Our priority is still to continue in MotoGP at this moment. We have potential sponsorship coming from a couple directions, but this is only for a two rider program. We find it nearly impossible to sell a one-rider MotoGP program," Aksland explained.

"Honda has already said they will not supply our team to run two riders, so they will not be an option for us for 2008. If we had to run one rider again, it could only be on the condition that the manufacturer would work with us to go for two riders in the future.

"Honda seem to have their hands full at the moment and it does not look likely that they would work with us to expand our program. Hopefully by Valencia we will have more news about what we are doing for 2008," he added.

One of the reasons a single-tyre rule is being proposed for MotoGP in 2008 is an excessive demand for Bridgestone's tyres, forcing the Japanese company to turn down requests from the likes of Repsol Honda. Team Roberts were rejected by both Bridgestone and Michelin in the past, with no such consequences, but Aksland - like Valentino Rossi and Dani Pedrosa - welcomes the possibility of one tyre brand for all.

"Since 2004, when we were refused supply by either Michelin or Bridgestone, we have been in favour of a one-tyre rule," said Aksland. "That year we were put into the position of developing Dunlop tyres, and at the same time we were trying to develop our own machine. It did not make sense for either of us. Dunlop needed a manufacturer that had a developed bike, like they have this year [with Tech 3] and we needed a developed tyre.

"So when you have been in the position that we have come from, raising millions of dollars in sponsorship to compete and then not to have the opportunity to choose the tyre you feel is appropriate, you don't have to think too hard about what is best," he continued. "So for sure, having a one-tyre rule is attractive to an independent team like ours because that eliminates that element of whether we have tyres that are as good as the competition or not. Of course, this is assuming the rule would guarantee all teams had the same tyres to choose from..."

A decision on the proposed single tyre rule is due to be made during the Malaysian Grand Prix weekend, on October 19-21.