Cycle News

Cycle News 2021 Issue 27 July 7

Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles

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INTERVIEW I ROAD RACER JOE ROBERTS P100 something that has never been my strongest point. As far as the working process is concerned, he's helping me be a more ma- ture rider and be stronger at the end of the race." Italtrans is managed by Robertino Pietri, the former MotoAmerica rider based in the USA. But aside from the Vene- zuelan, the squad is fully Italian. Does this even inhibit communi- cation inside the box? "Giovanni, his English isn't the best as far as fully communicat- ing," Roberts said. "But with bike stuff he understands what I'm saying. And he can repeat enough that I understand what he's saying. Anytime there is miscommunication Robertino is there. He helps fill the void. Obviously Robertino speaks perfect English and lives in America. I wouldn't say that's an issue, really." For 2021, Roberts decided to relocate to Aljezur in the south of Portugal while racing in Europe. Before he had lived alone in Barcelona. Then through 2020's crazy, compact Covid-hit sched- ule he had no base to speak of. Surrounding himself with a small group of people has given him a more stable environment, which, in turn, helps him on track. "I wasn't really living anywhere, man. I was just floating around like the wind, never settling MotoGP, man, can mess with so much of your head. Yeah, I had the opportunity to go [to Aprilia]. But it wasn't the right time. And to go that late in the season wouldn't have been cool to my team now.

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