|
◄Two weeks
later, Mamola did just that. After setting the fastest qualifying time for the
British GP at Silverstone, he went on to win, with Roberts second. And in the
German GP, the freckled-faced Suzuki rider again started from the pole. His
early race lead was cut short by a broken oil seal, and when Roberts passed him
for fourth the third world title became a gift.
Roberts
hasn't had as much help as you'd expect from Yamaha, though. While Suzuki floods
the field with team riders, Roberts has only himself as wingman. It's not only
burning out Roberts, it also cost Yamaha the manufacturer's title, because
Suzuki won its sixth straight cup by drawing on a combined effort of a
half-dozen or so riders.
Further
diminishing Roberts' dominance of the 500 GP field is the reemergence of
Michelin and Dunlop tire technology. Two ears ago Roberts scoffed at Michelin's
efforts to match his Goodyear grip, and there was never mention of Dunlop at all
in the 500cc pits. Things were different this season, especially with the sudden
stickiness Mamola found in his Dunlops.
What's
evolved, then, is a 500cc class that has several rows of riders capable of
winning. Even Roberts, who picked up the name King Kenny on his first sortie
Over There, realizes the competitiveness on the rid each race: "Since the other
riders were faster and their bikes much improved, I feel we accomplished more
this year than 1978 or 1979."
Roberts survived the Suzuki-infested waters once again, but you have to
wonder how much longer he can sustain the effort, especially operating as a
one-man team. But for the winter, he's not going to concern himself with those
matters. "Right now I'm just looking forward to a couple of weeks off. After
vacation, I'll sit down and decide where I'd like to o next year." You can bet
on one thing—this championship won't go to his head.—Dain Gingerelli■ |
Competition 
