If you had to think of an American motorcycling hero, what name pops into your head? Evel Knievel is probably the default for a lot of people, but depending on your age and interests, there are plenty more, like Jay Springsteen, Kevin Schwantz, Jeremy McGrath, Freddie Spencer, Randy Mamola, Cal Rayborn, Rollie Free, Jeff Emig, Arlen Ness (RIP), Ricky Carmichael, Erik Buell, Eddie Lawson, ‘Cannonball’ Baker, Colin Edwards, Fred Merkel, James Stewart, Wayne Rainey, the late, great Nicky Hayden and, of course, William Harley and the Davidson brothers.
But, for some people … make that a LOT of people, there’s only one American motorcycling hero – Kenny Roberts.
GAME CHANGER
With three successive 500cc Grand Prix word titles from 1978, Roberts didn’t get the nickname of ‘King Kenny’ for nothing.…
