Banbury-based Proton Team Roberts the Grand Prix motorcycle team run by Kenny Roberts have clinched a thrilling deal by signing Jurgen van den Goorbergh for next season.

The top Dutch GP rider will campaign the three-cylinder KR3 500 in next year's Motorcycle Grand Prix World Championship, in a move that has rider, team engineers and team owner bubbling with revitalised enthusiasm.

Jurgen signed the one-year contract with the Oxfordshire team owned by former triple World Champion Kenny Roberts last Friday. The immediate reaction was to give a major boost to the only independent manufacturing team in Grand Prix bike racing.

Jurgen, 30, has been constantly gaining in confidence ever since joining the 500 class in 1997. He has had two pole positions to his credit, achieved on non-factory machines.

Team owner Kenny Roberts said: "I can't tell you how delighted I am. It's really good to have a rider with Jurgen's talent, and his technical ability. My whole team feels rejuvenated.

"Getting Jurgen on the team is more than enough to get us all going in sixth gear once again."

Proton Team KR now plan a full winter test season to prepare for 2001.

The first tests will take place in Spain next month.