Surprise has been expressed over Joe Robe💃rts seemingly being ignored for a MotoGP switch.

US-backed Trackhouse, the Aprilia satellite team, were strongly linked with bringing Moto2’s American talent Roberts into their teaꦚ⛎m next season.

But, instead, the𓆉y have confirmed the signing of his Ja༺panese Moto2 rival Ai Ogura alongside Raul Fernandez.

Neil Hodgson told TNT Spo♏rt about Robe🍸rts: “We all thought it was the natural fit.

“The only question with Robe🐟rts was: is he fast enough this year? He has answered those questions with race victories. He’s in the battle for the championship with ✨Ogura.

“I would put Ogura in front of him for overall speed. But when you think about ♎the commercial aspect, in general?

“Especially for Trackhouse, an American team trying to do it a bit differently, they are going to work on s𒉰ocial media 🍃to grow the sport.

“I feel like they’ve missed an open goal! Roberts is charismatic, good looking Californian - everythin🧸🐓g you want to sell the sport to a wider audience.

“Instead, you have chosen Ogura. Who is a fraction faster on the track. I feel like it’s a missed opport෴unity.”

Alಌex Lowes said about Ogura:🌌 “You can’t argue he doesn’t deserve it. He’s a talent who deserves a seat in MotoGP.

“But it would have been lovely to see someone with Joe’s personality, an American back in MotoGP. I 🀅think we would have all loved that, and it made se𓂃nse. It’s a shame.”

Hodgson pointed out: “Between Spanish and Italians, 16 riders, there are two English-speaking riders with Jack Mil⛦ler and Brad Binder.”

Lowes replied: “You never want to begrudge anyone an opportunity. Ogꦯura, talent-wise, des෴erves it. “

Hodgson warned that Trackhouse’s snub of Robert❀s will cause a lack of American riders in MotoGP for se🃏veral years to come.

“He will be 28 next year,” Hodgson said abo🔯ut Roberts. “All the seats are 💟taken, most people are on two-year deals.

“So th💧ere is no American rider in MotoGP… foꦦr, how long?

“We’re in the same situation with British riders. After Jake Dixon, who looks like hꦆe won’t get a chance, we’ve got a 🐠long wait.”

Roberts is third🧸 in the Moto2 standings,🌞 Ogura is second. Sergio Garcia leads the championship.

Moto2 riders who will step up into MotoGP ne﷽xt year include Ogura at Trackhouse, Ferminﷺ Aldeguer with Ducati (inevitably Gresini), while Somkiat Chantra is heavily linked with LCR Honda.

But, there will be no room for Roberts seemingly.