Roberts Jnr: Scrap traction control from 2012

FORMER 500cc World champion Kenny Roberts Jnr. has said he believes traction control should be banished when MotoGP switches back to 1000cc from 2012, claiming the technology makes MotoGP look "like anybody can do it" .

Speaking to SuperbikePlanet.com, Roberts summarised what many feel about the massive amount of expensive high-end technology dominating the sport of late, saying: "I want to watch the best riders in the world, not the best electronics.

"When you see a Top Fuel car leave the starting line, you're reeling, you're spent," said the son of triple 500cc Champion Kenny Roberts "You can't believe what you've just seen. That's what MotoGP should be like."

Roberts believes the visual awe of seeing the best racers in the world battling to control bikes that are sliding, spinning and often on one-wheel is something crowds need to see. Today's MotoGP, he believes, is way too sterile:

"There's nothing visually exciting about it. It gives fans the impression that they could ride a MotoGP bike. Which they can't, but it really seems like they could.

"You want them to watch the bikes and really think 'These guys are crazy'. Have smoke coming off the back tyre, wheelying, leaving them thinking 'Wow, there's no way I could do that'."

Roberts believes MotoGP would be just as safe without traction control. Moreover, the American is confident the move would see a significant drop in the number of high-speed, mid-corner, front-end crashes. He explains:

"Now, riders are achieving their fast laps on their entrance and in the middle of the corner. This is why you see them all crashing on the front, and why they all say after they crash 'Well, I did nothing different on that lap than I did on the previous one'. Because once they get into the corner, they pin it and the bike takes over. If a guy's pulling away from you, and you're pinned, how do you pin it more? Where are you going to make up time? You've got to make it up going into the corner."