Team Roberts get sponsorship boost

Owner Kenny Roberts made no secret of the fact over the winter that he was ready to pull his team from the series if they could not secure enough sponsorship to make it financially viable to continue.

However, after securing a deal with car supermarket Motorpoint prior to the start of the season, Roberts has now announced a tie-up with American merchandise company F1 Max-X and MGM's Treasure Island Hotel and Casino in the United States that should keep his team in the series.

The businesses hope to capitalise on the growing interest of MotoGP in the United States.

Roberts said: "We're excited about this development. We are fortunate that we are in this position to introduce these companies to MotoGP.

"F1 MAX-X represents a unique marketing strategy that has brought all the partners together for this programme. We look forward to working with everybody to create additional opportunities that will benefit our  new partners, Team Roberts and MotoGP now and in the future."

Alex Copson, President of F1 MAX-X said, "MotoGP is an exciting, trendy sport which parallels the values that Las Vegas represents; adrenaline, drama, glamour and excitement. The two should be united as tens of millions of people visit Las Vegas annually.

"Teaming with Kenny Roberts will help make MotoGP one of the hottest sports in the US and fits in perfectly with our overall strategy for Las Vegas and motorsport in general. This is a developing relationship, aimed at campaigning a larger programme for 2008 onwards."

Team Roberts are set to unveil an all new livery on their bike this weekend on the back of the sponsorship deals.