125cc: Bonsey set for early debut

The 17-year-old's move from America to the world stage has been accelerated by Kenny Roberts Sr., who has taken the KTM rider under his wing.

Having only raced three road races on a SV650 V-Twin machine, the former flat track racer realised his only chance was to leave the US and get into MotoGP, maybe to emulate reigning Champion Nicky Hayden's success.

"US riders get stuck in the US too easily, but I want to get into MotoGP. I really couldn't turn down the offer that Kenny (Senior) made to me," Bonsey said.

His path into the Austrian KTM team was negotiated by Roberts Sr., whose team used KTM engines in the 2005 season. But once in the garage, the American realises the job facing him.

"Harald (Bartol) has given me a season to learn as much as possible in order for next year to be strong. I've already been testing in Jerez, Valencia and here in Qatar and I'm a little off the pace, but not too far off at Jerez."

For the Salinas-based Californian, this weekend will be only his second visit to a MotoGP event after watching the US GP last year trackside at Laguna.

"It was pretty cool to watch Nicky Hayden win, especially from within the Team Roberts Garage," he said.