Tag Archives: Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup

Piqueras dominates Red Bull Rookies opener | Roulstone P11

2023 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Round One – Portimao Qualifying South African Ruche Moodley thought he had his name on pole position until the last minutes of Qualifying for the first round of the 2023 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup. Angel Piqueras stole the fastest lap though after he managed to tuck his KTM […]

The post Piqueras dominates Red Bull Rookies opener | Roulstone P11 appeared first on MCNews.

Source: MCNews.com.au

Alonso crowned Rookies champ | Buchanan back for 2022

2021 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup
Round Seven – Motorland Aragón GP


The Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup season has wrapped up at the Aragon GP, with David Alonso claiming the title with a race to spare, his second-place finish in Race 1 enough to secure the top spot. David Munoz was runner up, with Daniel Holgado completing the championship podium.

New Zealand’s Cormac Buchanan also had exciting news to share, having secured a spot in the 2022 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, after wrapping up the 2021 season over the weekend with a 20-19 result.

Cormac Buchanan

“I am beyond proud to announce I have been confirmed as a Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup rider for 2022. To have another year in this incredible championship, riding the wicked KTM Factory Racing RC250 R machine, flying the New Zealand flag 🇳🇿 and striving to be the best racer I can be is just an unreal feeling. I want to thank everyone who has helped me get to this moment and the entire Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup for giving me this opportunity. To coaches Dani and Gustl, your wisdom and guidance this season has been invaluable and I can’t wait to work with you again. To my Rookies mechanic Aleix – thank you for your expertise and hard work. Full credit to my Squadra Mac Attack partners – I honestly could not have achieved this without you. And Steve Bagshaw for always believing it’s possible. Bring on 2022!”

Cormac Buchanan – 2021 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies

Qualifying

Daniel Holgado put in a blistering Motorland Aragón lap early in Qualifying and no one could come close. The 16-year-old Spaniard has pole by over half a second for the final weekend of the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup for 2021 with points leader David Alonso, the 15-year-old Colombian, on the other side of the grid in third.

Splitting the two is Diogo Moreira, the 17-year-old Brazilian while David Muñoz, the 15-year-old Spaniard, who is the only rider able to wrest the Cup from Alonso, will start from the fourth row after qualifying seventh on his KTM.


Race 1

Dani Holgado, David Muñoz and David Alonso flashed across the line at the end of a fabulously intense Race 1 at Aragon, while third place gave the 2021 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup to Alonso.

Daniel Holgado
Daniel Holgado

The Colombian 15-year-old had fought for the race win all the way in what distilled into a five-KTM lead battle, but 16-year-old Spaniard pole man Holgado, had the edge on the final lap.

Going into the penultimate race only Muñoz could challenge Alonso for the Cup and he put everything into it but Alonso only really needed a handful of points to take the title.

David Alonso
David Alonso

David Muñoz locked out second place in the title chase, the same position he finished last season. Holgado is secure in third, he was fifth last year and Alonso fourth.

Daniel Holgado – P1

“I am very happy for my race and my second victory of the season. I did a good job yesterday and today the race was amazing for me. It was a very fast race and I am happy to be the winner. Thanks to my team and to my family for the support. Congratulations to my team mate David (Alonso) for winning the Cup, thanks to all. Pole yesterday, a win today and I hope another one tomorrow, it’s possible.”

Daniel Holgado
Daniel Holgado

David Alonso – P2 (Championship winner)

“I feel so surprised, finally we did it. This second year, after one year of learning, this year to win the championship and that is what we did. About the race, it was a difficult race because all the weekend I was strong but today, maybe because of the pressure, I was a little bit less strong. I managed as best as I can and I could win the championship. It’s amazing, all the effort that I made and also winning it today is very good because tomorrow I can enjoy the race. Nothing much more to say really, I think that tonight I will be very happy.”

David Alonso
David Alonso

David Muñoz – P3

“Second place is very good for me. I am also second in the championship and that is also good. Thanks to the Rookies Cup and everyone who supports me. One more race tomorrow and I will go for the win.”

David Muñoz
David Muñoz

Cormach Buchanan finished in P20, after battling for 18th, while claiming a new PB.

Cormac Buchanan – P20

“Happy with the solid gains made in race one of @redbullrookiescup at @motorlandaragon, staying in the hunt for P18 at the flag. PB: 2.04.63 – nearly two-secs faster than qualifying and some fun battles out on track as a result. Congrats Alonso on clinching the 2021 Rookies Cup championship and an impressive season. As the final race of the season looms, I’m excited to see what we can do as the hard mahi continues tomorrow.”


Race 2

The final Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup race of the season went down to the line with Ivan Ortolá snatching the lead from Pole man and Saturday winner Daniel Holgado into the final corner as Cup winner David Alonso overlapped them in a seven KTM mass finish.

Ivan Ortolá
Ivan Ortolá

The winning margin was just 0.006 seconds for Ortolá the 17-year-old Spaniard over his 16-year-old fellow countryman Holgado. Alonso, the 15-year-old Colombian was 0.050 behind and 0.108 ahead of David Muñoz in fourth, less than half a second covered the top 7.

Ivan Ortolá – P1

“It was an amazing race today. Yesterday the clutch broke in the race and I was a little bit unlucky but I knew that I had the pace to battle for the win. Today I made a good start and got into first position in a few laps. The race was very difficult but I stayed in the group all the way and finally I could finish the Red Bull Rookies Cup championship with a first place. I have to thank my mechanic and everyone who supports me and for the Rookies Cup because this is an opportunity for two years at an amazing level and you learn a lot.”

Ivan Ortolá
Ivan Ortolá

Daniel Holgado – P2

“It was an incredible race for me. My last race here in the Cup was amazing and thanks to the Rookies Cup family for everything. It was a difficult race because of the track conditions, very hot, the back tyre was sliding but I had a good feeling with it this weekend. I am very happy with my last race, I did a good job here this weekend and I thank my supporters and family.”

Daniel Holgado
Daniel Holgado

David Alonso – P3

“It was a very positive race, it was a present for me because the championship was already won yesterday and so the only goal for me was to enjoy it a lot every lap and that is what I did. I enjoyed the bike, the overtaking. I was always on the front and the position is good but whatever the position it would be good. To finish on the podium in the last race is wonderful and it was an incredible season. I really appreciate the Colombian fans and I want to thank them for their support as well as everyone here.”

New Zealand’s Buchanan finished in P19.

Cormac Buchanan – P19

“Gotta admit today’s race wasn’t how I wanted to finish. I didn’t get my set up right for the conditions and paid the price for some poor decisions. Struggled throughout the race to keep pace. There’s plenty to reflect on from my debut season and I will enjoy taking the time to remember the gains we made, the incredible circuits we raced, the thrill of being part of the MotoGP paddock and the overall unbelievable experience it has been. Thank you everyone for your amazing support – it’s been unreal.”


Red Bull Rookies Results

Source: MCNews.com.au

Alonso claims Rookies Cup double win at Red Bull Ring

2021 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup
Round 6 – Austrian GP, Red Bull Ring


David Alonso swept the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Austrian GP round at Red Bull Ring, taking two wins and extending his overall standings lead. In Race 1 that was a win from David Munoz and Tatchakorn Buasri, with New Zealand’s Cormac Buchanan finishing 21st.

David Alonso - 2021 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Round 6
David Alonso – 2021 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Round 6

In Race 2 Alonso won by 0.101s, ahead of Tatchakorn Buasri with Ivan Ortola a distant third, narrowly claiming the final podium position from Taiyo Furusato. Comac Buchanan had a much improved Race 2, finishing 20th, battling with a group of four riders covering 17th through 20th.

Cormac Buchanan

“It’s hard to know what to write about that. No excuses – simply struggled throughout the race [1] and then copped a long lap penalty for exceeding track limits to boot. I kept making too many mistakes in the early part of the race and the group disappeared on me. I just couldn’t find the pace I know I have. I am gutted with the performance knowing I am capable of much more. A lot to process and work out before tomorrow’s rematch. I’m determined history will not repeat.

Cormac Buchanan – 2021 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Round 6

“I leave stunning Austria and the Red Bull Ring with a smile! P20, what a difference 24 hours can make. Race two Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup was a humdinger! With my lap times a vast improvement and into the low 1.41s, I stayed in the hunt and enjoyed the intensity of a group battle for 17th overall with just a smidge separating us at the. Satisfied with that performance and it gives us plenty to build on for the final round at Motorland Aragon Circuit next month. Kudos Craig Muirhead at Camino Coaching for the debrief unjumbling my head space last night. Awesome job on the Aleix Martinez – I appreciate your efforts and am lucky to have you as my mechanic. Now it’s back to the UK to prepare for the MotoGP at Silverstone on August 29. Shout out to my Microlise Cresswell Racing team-mates COG Racing. and Kiyano Veijer for locking out the top two steps on the Honda British Talent Cup podium today. Let’s go for the trifecta! Reading the support here after a tough day was massive and it’s awesome to know you’re all backing me on this crazy journey.”


Qualifying

Barcelona’s Alex Millan found form and grabbed pole position for the second weekend in Spielberg. The 16-year-old hit the front early in Qualifying and kept getting quicker on the KTM.

Alex Millan – 2021 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Round 6

David Muñoz was second fastest, boosting his Cup hopes as the 15-year-old Spaniard’s arch rival in the points standings, David Alonso, will start from the second row after a frustrating Qualifying even though he was quick through Free Practice.

Mugello debut winner Taiyo Furusato, the 16-year-old Japanese, completes the front row, making good use of more track time in Austria. Cormac Buchanan meanwhile qualified 21st on the seventh row.


Race 1

David Alonso, the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup leader, put in a perfect performance to take victory over arch rival David Muñoz and Tatchakorn Buasri. The 15-year-old Colombian replicated his very cool and classy Race 2 victory from the previous weekend at Spielberg, winning by 3.8 seconds.

David Alonso - 2021 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Round 6
David Alonso – 2021 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Round 6

It had been an incredible early battle with a huge pack of KTMs chasing across the Austrian countryside. Alonso settled himself in and then put the pressure on. Once he got away, the chasing pack could do nothing and for the last handful of laps it came down to a five rider chase group with Muñoz and Buasri swapping places with Taiyo Furusato, Dani Holgado and Matteo Bertelle.

On the penultimate lap Holgado bumped Furusato wide leaving Buasri and Muñoz to get away. The Spanish 15-year-old was more controlled and took second ahead of the 20-year-old Thai.

Taiyo Furusato – 2021 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Round 6

David Alonso

“It is so good to get another win. I am surprised because in the second weekend all riders got faster and we knew it was going to be hard. In the first laps, like the other race, I warmed things up, made sure the tyres were good. Then I tried a little bit harder. The first laps I ran alone were not so good but the pace was good so 4 of us got away. I was putting in a lot of effort, I kept pushing and there were some mistakes from the riders behind. That let me go by one second and from that it was much easier. I pushed every lap and was trying to be faster and I managed it. I’m super happy because the feeling with the bike and the pace was incredible. Starting the second weekend like this is very positive. Tomorrow will be even harder so we are prepared.”

David Alonso - 2021 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Round 6
David Alonso – 2021 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Round 6

David Muñoz

“The race was very good, it was again a very fast race. My feeling with the bike is very good, better than last weekend. Alonso was very fast today. Tomorrow is another day, a new opportunity. It is very difficult for me, I know that finishing behind Alonso is not good enough, I have to change that, I am only half happy, I have to find something more. This was a step forward from last weekend, I need to find another step tomorrow.”

Tatchakorn Buasri

“For me it was a very difficult race, I made a lot of mistakes, first lap to last lap. I made a mistake with maybe 6 laps left then I stayed in position. Then I pushed again and got up to 2nd but made a mistake on the last lap in that fight and finished 3rd but I am so happy. I am happy to be battling at the front but I need to stop making mistakes, tomorrow I want to try to win, I will push again.”


Race 2

A third race win in a row for David Alonso gives the Colombian 15-year-old a strong claim to the 2021 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup. Right on his tail all the way to the Spielberg finish line was Tatchakorn Buasri, the 20-year-old Thai, with Spanish 17-year-old Ivan Ortolá leading the chasing pack.

CoDavid Alonso - 2021 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Round 6rmac Buchanan - 2021 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Round 6
David Alonso – 2021 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Round 6

It was a fabulous 13 KTM lead battle for most of the race and Alonso could not break away as he had done in the Austrian GP Race 1 on Saturday. Arch rival David Muñoz was particularly determined to hold on but then so nearly crashed and his big save gave Alonso and Buasri breathing room.

David Muñoz, the 15-year-old Spaniard, finally crossed the line 6th and is now 38 points adrift with two races and 50 points still to be claimed at Motorland Aragon.

Taiyo Furusato – 2021 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Round 6

David Alonso

“It was a great weekend since Free Practice, yesterday a good race. Today we know that it was going to be hard but well, from the first lap I was in the group and then I tried to push, but it was not possible. I was happy with my pace but the other riders were competitive in this race and I had some more laps in the group, fighting. Some riders were on the limit, a bit aggressive but I managed well. Then I had another opportunity, and I pushed harder. Finally I could do it and only Tatchakorn Buasri was behind me. That was perfect because in 4 races here we win 3, it is incredible for the championship, for my confidence. Most important is that each lap I do with this bike I enjoy a lot, I have a super, super good feeling and I am ready for Aragon.”

David Alonso - 2021 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Round 6
David Alonso – 2021 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Round 6

Tatchakorn Buasri

“The Red Bull Ring is a second home for me. I am so happy with the race today, it was a little bit difficult because I made a mistake in turn one in the beginning of the race and went back to position 9. Then I was pushing, pushing, passing, passing, then I could follow Alonso. On the last lap I wanted to overtake but you know, he is very fast. Still, today I am so happy. I will keep trying to win, to concentrate, more training, keep trying.”

Iván Ortolá

“This weekend was amazing, in the first race I suffered a lot in the group, I pushed a lot. I looked at the race last night and saw what I could do, what I could improve. This podium for me, it tastes like a victory, because of yesterday’s race. Thanks to everyone who supports me.”

David Muñoz

“The race today was very fast, for me with the bike it was difficult. A big moment near the end, it was almost a disaster, right on the limit.”


Red Bull Rookies Results

Source: MCNews.com.au

Munoz & Alonso share Rookies Spielberg wins | Buchanan injured

2021 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup
Round 5 – Styrian GP, Spielberg


Over the weekend the Red Bull Rookies joined MotoGP at Spielberg, with Daniel Munoz claiming his first race win, while David Alonso claimed the Race 2 victory to further extend his standings lead.

For New Zealand’s Cormac Buchanan there was extra challenges, having to retire from Race 1 due to injuries from an earlier crash, with an MRI later revealing a fracture in one of the bones in the triquetrum, as well as two hematomas in the wrist and upper hand.

Cormac Buchanan

He returned for Race 2 to claim 20th, despite the injuries and was even able to set a new PB.

Cormac Buchanan – P20

“All things considered, I’m pretty rapt with that one! Managed to have some intense battles out on track amongst the rear group with nothing in it across the finish line. New PB lap time of 1.41.21 – a massive improvement on my qualifying time of 1.42.87. Shout out to my mechanic Aleix and the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup coaches and crew for their support and making adjustments to my handlebars to help ease the pressure on my wrist. Now the focus switches to recovery as I have a few days to rest my injury before the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup rematch right here at Red Bull Ring 🇦🇹 next weekend. I’m excited to have a second chance at a European circuit to see what gains can be made. Thanks everyone for the messages of support – it really does fuel my determination.”


Qualifying

An intense Spielberg Qualifying session saw David Muñoz fastest by just 0.026 seconds over Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup points leader David Alonso. Alonso, the 15-year-old Colombian sat on Pole for Saturday’s race because Muñoz had a penalty carried over from Sachsenring Race 2.

David Munoz

Boosted by his win in that Race 2 in Germany, Matteo Bertelle, the 17-year-old Italian, was third fastest. Spanish 16-year-old Marcos Uriarte completed the front row of the grid as Muñoz started at the back and also had a long lap penalty to contend with.


Race 1

Daniel Muñoz won his first Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup race in fabulous style after an incredible race long lead battle of eight KTMs. The 15-year-old Spaniard put in a perfect last lap of Spielberg to hold off 17-year-old Spaniard Ivan Ortolá and Colombia’s 15-year-old David Alonso – the Cup points leader.

Daniel Muñoz

David Muñoz qualified fastest but a penalty put him at the back of the grid. The 15-year-old Spaniard’s opening laps were sensational however and he quickly cut through to the lead group while arch-rival Alonso did most of the leading.

David Muñoz also had a long lap penalty to serve though and that dropped him out of the lead group. Then Alonso got a long lap penalty for exceeding track limits and that pushed him back to Muñoz.

As the laps wound down the pair fought back into the lead group for the most intense struggle over the last two laps, with David Muñoz finally taking fourth.

Daniel Muñoz – P1

“It is an incredible race for me, my first victory. The race was crazy, all the riders were passing at every turn. I am very happy with that and tomorrow I will push more, I want to win again but I know it will be very difficult.”

Daniel Muñoz

Ivan Ortolá – P2

“The race was really crazy, I made a very good start. I pushed a lot to overtake many riders. In two or three laps I was up into third position. I stayed at the front of the group and in the end was thinking what to do. I really like what I managed to do in the last laps to get second and thanks to my mechanic and all the staff. I’m looking forward to race tomorrow, we’ll see what the weather does but wet or dry it doesn’t matter I will push a lot.”

David Alonso – P3

“An incredible and crazy race. I made a good start and was running fast laps at the front. Then later I got a long lap penalty, I didn’t think I had been on the green so much but OK, then I caught back up to the lead group again. Then the last two laps were difficult because the riders were fighting hard and we had some contact. But I managed to come through the group and finally get third position on the podium. That’s so good for the championship, little by little we are getting podiums and tomorrow it’s another race and I will try for as many points as possible. I learnt a lot in this race, the bike is so good and I’m getting better. It was a great battle with David Muñoz, on the limit but good and I managed to get the position. For tomorrow I prefer it to be dry as I am fast on this track, if it rains I am not the fastest but I am fast.”

Cormac Buchanan – DNF

“Absolutely gutted. Under the physical intensity of Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup racing, the impact of yesterday’s crash became more apparent and my wrist just couldn’t hold up today. I struggled from the outset and just had no strength for braking. The risk of something going wrong if I continued was too great and I was forced to pull out of the race. Medical have scheduled an MRI in the morning to investigate further. I will keep everyone updated once I know more. Thanks for all the support – through good times and bad.”


Race 2

David Alonso executed a perfect Race 2 to take his fifth Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup win of 2021 and extend his points lead. The 15-year-old Colombian took Spielberg victory by 4.7 seconds ahead of a battle of eight KTMs with Tatchakorn Buasri, the 20-year-old Thai, grabbing second over David Muñoz

David Alonso

None of the chasing pack had an answer to Alonso and all the front runners including the leader were in danger of long lap penalties for exceeding track limits. Daniel Holgado was given a three-second post race penalty as he had in Race 1 and dropped to seventh after being ninth on Saturday, severely damaging his Cup points haul.

Mugello winner Taiyo Furusato was another with a three-second penalty and fell to eighth leaving Ivan Ortola fourth. Saturday’s winner Daniel Muñoz had already served a long lap penalty and finished fifth.

The Red Bull Rookies battle it out in Race 2

David Alonso – P1

“That was amazing, better than yesterday, I could go alone because of the good work I did on Friday. The feeling with the bike is amazing. The strategy was different from yesterday, in the first laps I let them push, then in the third or fourth lap I started trying to push hard. It wasn’t easy and two or three came with me but I kept pushing. I was in a good way and eventually I had a one-second gap. Once I had the one second it was much more easy and I am very happy with the way the race went, this gives me power for next weekend and 2 more races. I had enough gap to enjoy the win but it was hard over the last three laps to concentrate because I was thinking of the victory but you also have to ride the bike and keep off the green.”

David Alonso

Tatchakorn Buasri – P2

“Today I am very very happy, it was such a difficult race, a big battle in the group and many riders are very fast, especially David Alonso and we could not follow him. We were fighting in the group until the last lap, I was fourth and in the last two corners I could overtake and finish second. I feel stronger every race, I think that in Germany where I was on the podium and here in Austria I have really improved more and more, 100 per cent better and I hope again next weekend.”

David Muñoz – P3

“The race was very good for me but I had a mechanical problem with the bike. It’s good to be third but next weekend we need more. David Alonso was too far today and it was difficult to fight in the big group and I am happy to get some good points this weekend but we still need more for the championship.”

Race 2 podium – 1) David Alonso, 2) Tatchakorn Buasri, 3) David Muñoz

Red Bull Rookies Sachsenring Results

Source: MCNews.com.au

Furusato & Munoz share the Rookies Cup wins at Mugello

2021 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup
Round 3 – Mugello, Italy


Race 1

Japanese 15-year-old Taiyo Furusato only rode a KTM for the first time on Friday and had never seen Mugello before, however he took an incredible debut Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup victory regardless. He came out best from a 17 rider battle that started in spitting rain and ended with a cavalry charge to the line where he narrowly clung on to win.

Race 1 kicks off lead by Noah Dettwiler

Diogo Moreira crossed the line second ahead of David Muñoz but had exceeded track limits on the final circuit so was demoted one position. 15-year-old Spaniard Muñoz claimed the second step on the podium ahead of the 17-year-old Brazilian as a result.

That battle wasn’t follow-the-leader, it was major position changes throughout the race. Noah Dettwiler, the 16-year-old Swiss, climbed from the back of the pack to lead a Rookies race for the first time.

Track limits proved an issue for some riders…

Pole man Marcos Uriarte meanwhile dropped to the back of the pack and the 16-year-old Spaniard ended up finishing 12th. Collin Veijer was brilliant at the front in the tricky early laps but the the 16-year-old Dutchman was 11th at the flag.

It was amazing battles all the way but Furusato’s victory stood out. The fact that he took the lead on lap four was sensation enough, riding the RC 250 R for the first time, but he didn’t look on the edge either. He smoothly held the advantage for a few laps before the slipstreaming pack demoted him.

Taiyo Furusato narrowly wins from Diogo Moreira

It was as though he took time to reassess because when he hit the front again in the final laps he was even more certain and composed, he eked out enough of an advantage so that he could not be passed on the slipstream run to the line.

After winning the first four Asia Talent Cup races of the season he has now added a sensational Rookies Cup debut win.

New Zealand’s Cormac Buchanan finished 23rd.

Taiyo Furusato

“I’m so so happy, as you say, first race, first victory, first time at Mugello and on the KTM, all first, but I could win the race. In the race I could improve and everything felt perfect for me. Yesterday was the first time I had ridden a KTM but I found it’s positive points and the negative points, Today I could use the positive points and work with those.”

Taiyo Furusato claims his first ever Red Bull Rookies win

David Muñoz

“The race was very very good because yesterday was difficult for me. The feeling with the bike was not so good. Today it’s much better the feeling with the bike is good and I’m very happy with it. The track was OK, even with a little rain I had good feeling. Now we can focus on tomorrow and another good race.”

Moreira

“The race was very good. In the last laps I tried to push very hard because in the first laps I felt the rain and I was careful. Then I tried lap by lap to fight back, tried to get positions each lap. Finally, on the last lap, I got to second and tried to win the race but I touched the green, that’s the race. But I’m happy for the race and tomorrow we have a second one and let’s see. I think the weather will be better, and I will try to win the race.”

Daniel Holgado

“Today was an incredible race but more difficult than I expected. I did a good job through the race and the result is not bad but I am glad that we have another opportunity tomorrow. Tomorrow I will give more and get a better result. I have to say sorry to my fellow Rookie Mario Aji for the last corner.”


Race 2

David Muñoz snatched both the race win and the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup points lead with a slipstream lunge in the final metres at Mugello in the second and final Red Bull Rookies Cup race of the weekend.

Race 2 saw Daniel Holgado grab an early lead

Previous points leader and fellow Spaniard Daniel Holgado had a handy advantage out of the last corner but the 16-year-old was swamped right before the line and crossed it fourth

Six KTM 250 Rs seemed to occupy just a couple of square metres as they flashed across the line. Colombian 15-year-old David Alonso was second ahead of Spanish 16-year-old Iván Ortolá.

Pole man Marcos Uriarte was chased by Matteo Bertelle – who had looked a likely winner as he led on the penultimate lap, however they finished fifth and sixth respectively.

Just 0.173 separated the top six

The results show that just 0.173 seconds covered the top six. It had been a 17 KTM pack at the front until Race 1 winner Taiyo Furusato had a big moment half way round the last lap and split the group.

He recovered to finish 14th and it was Dutch 16-year-old Collin Veijer who led that group home in seventh, small consolation for having been a strong front runner again as he was in Race 1.

Improving in Race 2, Cormac Buchanan finished 18th.

Long on talent but very short on words, 15-year-old David Muñoz as usual almost looked a touch surprised to be interviewed as the victor in the winners enclosure.

David Muñoz

“It’s been an incredible weekend for me, 2nd position yesterday and victory today, so amazing, I have no words. It’s good to be leading the championship but I must just focus on the next races and think about that, it’s the only way to do it.”

David Muñoz took the win narrowly at the finish line after a hard fought battle

David Alonso

“It was a positive weekend because it is a new track for me and little by little I got the confidence and found the good lines to do a good performance. This was a crazy race so I think that 2nd position is really good also because in the last races I wasn’t on the podium. So now we are back here again and this is so great for my confidence. I enjoyed this race a lot and now I am looking forward to Germany, another new track to enjoy.”

Ivan Ortolá

“It was a very hard weekend, in the first practice on Friday it was very difficult because it was my first time at this track and it’s a difficult track. But finally in the Qualifying I found a good feeling with the bike and I could take second position on the grid. The first race was very difficult because of the weather conditions, I made only the 10th position but it was a very very strong, very hard race. This race was very hard psychologically because you can be in the first position coming into the straight but at the end of the straight 10th or 11th. So I’m very happy because we made this podium, it is very important for the championship and I want to dedicate this race to Jason.”

Daniel Holgado now holds the standings lead on 71-points from David Alonso on 67, with Diogo Moreira third overall on 64-points. David Munoz is fourth on 58, while Alex Milan completed the top five.

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Results

Source: MCNews.com.au

Holgado claims Red Bull Rookies lead in Jerez | Voight runs 17-12

2021 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup
Round 2 – Jerez, Spain


The Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup took to Jerez over the weekend for their second round, alongside the Gran Premio Red Bull De Espana, where Daniel Holgado wrestled the lead from David Alonso across two hard fought races, with David Munoz also claiming a race win.

Qualifying

Double victor in Portimão, Colombian 15-year-old David Alonso carried his great form to Jerez and after being fast all day found that little extra late in Qualifying to put himself on Pole.

David Alonso

Spaniard Daniel Holgado turned 16 on Tuesday and took second just ahead of Brazilian Diogo Moreira who celebrated his 17th birthday last week.

The trio looked to be the class of the field through Friday but were joined in the final session by Italian 16-year-old Filippo Farioli, fourth fastest.

Australian Harrison Voight qualified 16th, while New Zealand’s Cormac Buchanan was 25th.


Race 1

When the first Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup race kicked off, it was a ten man battle for the lead on the KTM RC250 Rs. The intensity built over a shortened 10 lap race, following a red flag due to technical issues with the starting equipment.

Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup kicks off at Jerez

Holgado was in great form and despite being under pressure and being passed several times. The 16-year-old Spaniard seemed to have the answers as countrymen 14-year-old David Muñoz and 16-year-old Ortolá snapped at his heels.

Brazilian 17-year old Moreira was equally determined, while 15-year-old Colombian Alonso seemed content just to be in a good, top-six position ready for a play in the final laps.

2021 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup – Round 2 – Jerez, Spain

As usual at Jerez it did come down to the final corner and the ten riders all elbowing and lunging for the lead with David Muñoz doing the best job and Holgado going from first to fourth.

David Muñoz

“I’m very happy for this race and victory, Jerez is my home race. I am ready to try and do the same thing again tomorrow, I know it will be very difficult again but I am very focussed. Today it was a very hard and difficult race, everyone was pushing so hard but I believed I could win it. The bike was great, very happy with that and no need to change anything for Sunday.”

Australian Harrison Voight finished 17th, while Cormac Buchanan was 22nd.


Race 2

A dramatic Jerez round of the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup ended with victory for Daniel Holgado. He fought off all-comers at the final corner to cross the line first, several of whom had long lap penalties, meaning ultimately second went to Diogo Moreira ahead of Alex Millan.

Daniel Holgado

Points leader David Alonso was one of those with the penalty and that dropped him to eighth and cost him enough points to give Holgado the Cup lead, by four-points.

It had been a great KTM RC 250 R battle from the start and again a lead group of 10 traded places at every turn. Holgado did most of the leading just as he did on Saturday only to lose out on the last lap.

This time he managed to break away slightly in the second half of the race chased by Moreira. But in giving chase Moreira had exceeded track limits too many times.

2021 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup
Round 2 – Jerez, Spain

Moreira took his long lap penalty with six laps to go but incredibly fought back and made a lunge for the lead on the final lap. That didn’t work but he was in the lead group at the line and took second when Alonso and David Muñoz failed to take their late penalties and were given three-second penalties post race.

Daniel Holgado – P1

“This race was incredible for me. Difficult but I am happy for me and my team. Today the difference was the last corner, yesterday it was very difficult for me but today, much better. The bike was great today, we made a very good set-up and it was fun to ride. The track conditions were difficult with the temperature but I could manage the situation, I enjoyed the race and am ready for the next in Mugello. I believe that I can win there again.”

Daniel Holgado

Diogo Moreira – P2

“The race was very good, I enjoyed it a lot. When I saw I had a long lap penalty I knew I had to do it as soon as possible. After I did it I knew I had to get with the group again for the last laps. On the last lap I tried to win the race but I didn’t, that’s racing and I’m happy. Jerez is my favourite circuit, from FP1 I was fast and I enjoyed it from the start. All weekend I tried to make my laps alone so that I would have the best chance to win the race and I tried to escape the group but I am still happy with the weekend. Mugello I have never ridden before, I need to try and win the race.”

Harrison Voight had a better second race of the weekend, improving to 12th, while New Zealand’s Cormac Buchanan took his best Rookies Cup result yet with P18 in Race 2.

Harrison Voight – P12

“A weekend where I experienced the highs and lows of this sport. I’m aware of what needs to be fixed and I’m determined to come back stronger after Valencia. Thanks to everyone who’s made this possible and I’m looking forward to next week with the team SIC 58 Squadra CORSE.”

Cormac Buchanan – P18

“Absolutely rapt to earn my best finish to date in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup here at the legendary Circuito de Jerez. It sure was a drama-filled race but i managed to keep it shiny side up and tight enough to stay off the green stuff! Full credit to Dad Stacey Buchanan and my mechanic Aleix for making some beneficial changes to the set up and the whole Rookies Cup crew for having our backs. We’ve had a blast here in Spain but time to start another phase of this adventure. Massive thanks to those who make this a reality for me.”


Daniel Holgado now holds the overall lead on 71-points, with David Alonso second on 67 and Diogo Moreira third on 64-points, with only seven points separating the top three. David Munoz and Alex Millan complete the top five overall.

David Alonso holds second overall in the standings

Harrison Voight now holds seven championship points, with Cormac Buchanan working his way towards a points-earning result.

Results

Source: MCNews.com.au

Van Eerde returns from injury with 6-7 at Aragon MotoGP Rookies

2020 MotoGP Rookies Cup

Round 2 – Motorland Aragon


The Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup returned to racing over the weekend at Aragon, with Australian Billy Van Eerde back on track after breaking his femur and making a strong return. A crash in free practice wasn’t the best start to the weekend, however when racing commenced Van Eerde was starting from P9. Despite some early set backs in the opening race, he fought his way back from 17th to a sixth place finish, and followed up with seventh in Race 2.

Van Eerde now sits ninth in the standings, with Pedro Acosta continuing to lead the championship.

Billy Van Eerde

“The weekend started off with a crash after only four laps in FP1 which wasn’t ideal, luckily I was ok. FP2 and Qualifying went quite well getting my feeling back on the bike in FP2 and then putting together a decent lap in qualifying to manage P9. Race 1 I made a few big mistakes and dropped to 17th but fought back to finish P6 after a nice battle with some of the other guys. Race 2 I got an OK start but after a few laps I lost some confidence in the front after a few moments but managed it throughout the race to finish in P7 after another race-long battle. My leg was good after a few painkillers, I just have to put more effort in than normal changing down the gears and for changes of direction. Everyday it’s improving so I’m looking forward to pushing more next weekend to try and get in the front group.”

Billy Van Eerde #29 - Image: Gold & Goose/Red Bull Content Pool
Billy Van Eerde #29 – Image: Gold & Goose/Red Bull Content Pool

Billy now has five race meetings over the next five weekends between Red Bull Rookies and the CEV series.


Qualifying

Leading the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup and leading the times when it counted on Friday at Motorland Aragón, Pedro Acosta was setting a very high standard. The Spanish 16-year-old second year Rookie was chased hard by fellow countryman Daniel Holgado, while David Alonso, the 14-year-old Colombian completed the front row.

Pedro Acosta
Pedro Acosta

David Munoz was fourth fastest in qualifying, Zonta van den Goorge fifth, and David Salvador completed the second row. Izan Guevara lead the third row from Matteo Bertelle, with Aussie Billy Van Eerde qualifying ninth, returning from injury.


Race 1

Pedro Acosta could hardly improve on the four straight wins that started the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup in Austria but he managed to do exactly that over 15 thrilling laps of Aragón in Race 1. The 16-year-old Spaniard could not break free at Spielberg but he achieved that superbly in his first race at home at Aragon.

Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup kicks off at Aragon - Image: Gold & Goose/Red Bull Content Pool
Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup kicks off at Aragon – Image: Gold & Goose/Red Bull Content Pool

It was the same hungry challengers fighting it out and chasing him all the way again with Daniel Holgado leading Iván Ortolá across the line for an all Spanish podium.

It looked from the start like a repeat of the Austrian races with a pack swapping places at every turn. Acosta tried to break away early but couldn’t, Holgado particularly hung on grimly to the #37 KTM RC 250 R.

Pedro Acosta

“I started from pole but you know, really this means nothing. What was important is that at about lap 8 when the tyre performance went down I could still keep the lap time. That was what gave me the break so I could open up a gap. I kept it smooth and kept the lap time. It will be difficult to manage that again tomorrow but I will try. The track condition was not the same as yesterday, the temperature was down I think and the grip not as good but my bike is working well in all conditions and I also prepared myself for this.”

Pedro Acosta
Pedro Acosta

David Salvador just fell short this time and missed out on a podium place over the last 2 laps after battling all the way. David Alonso, the 14-year-old Colombian had a brilliant ride with two ‘penalties’ on his way to 5th.

18-year-old Australian Billy Van Eerde made a great comeback from injury and breaking his femur, claiming sixth despite some conservative riding.

Billy Van Eerde

“It was a difficult race, the first race back after breaking my femur. I was being a bit conservative about that because I didn’t want to crash. But no, it was a good race. At the beginning I made a mistake and dropped back to 17th and in the end I got back to 6th so for the first race back after injury I’m quite happy with it.”

Billy van Eerde
Billy van Eerde

Race 2

Pedro Acosta cranked it up a notch for Race 2. The 16-year-old Spaniard charged away on Lap 1 leaving the chasing pack to wonder what happened, creating a 5-second gap by the time the finish flags were waved.

Billy Van Eerde returned to the track at the MotoGP Rookies Aragon round
David Alonso leads Billy Van Eerde – Image: Gold & Goose/Red Bull Content Pool

The excitement was still there though for the minor podium positions, which saw a fantastic seven rider contest for second with riders frequently rubbing fairings.

Acosta celebrated a clear victory as the other places were sorted out at the last corner.

Pedro Acosta

“I think there was no difference really in the bike today, the temperature was a little different but not much. The difference was that last night I was talking with my helper Paco (Francisco Marmol Oliva) and he told me that I had to make a good start and break the group in the first lap. I did it and I want to thank the group around me, it is only they that understand how hard we work to achieve these things. Going fast on the first lap is not easy but talking with the Rookies Cup team and those close to me we discussed that I must finish the warm up lap with speed and be mentally ready and focused to be fast at the start. It worked.”

Pedro Acosta
Pedro Acosta

Daniel Holgado and David Muñoz touched and crashed coming onto the finish while David Alonso took second. Izan Guevara crossed the line third but lost his podium place to Iván Ortolá for exceeding track limits on the last lap.

Holgado leads David Munoz
Holgado leads David Munoz

David Salvador picked up fifth ahead of Daniel Muñoz who had served a long lap penalty with five laps to go.

Australian Billy Van Eerde was a position back from his Race 1 result, in seventh, racing Zonta van den Goord to the finish line and coming out victorious by just 0.011-seconds.

Source: MCNews.com.au

Breakthrough weekend for Billy Van Eerde in Austria

2019 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup

Round 5 – Red Bull Ring, Austria

Images by Gold & Goose/Samo Vidic/Red Bull Content Pool


Australia’s Billy Van Eerde has taken a 2-3 result at the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Round 5 at the Red Bull Ring in Austria, with the two podium results boosting him to 11th in the standings, now on 47-points.

Red Bull Rookies Cup Rnd Austria Sun Billy van Eerde
Billy Van Eerde – Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup 2019 – Round 5, Austria

Pedro Acosta claimed the Race 1 win from Van Eerde and Noguchi, with standings leader Carlos Tatay way back in 14th. Race 2 saw Noguchi win, with Tatay back in the fight and on the podium in second, ahead of Van Eerde. Race 1 winner Acosta was back in fifth behind Huertas.

Qualifying

Spaniards were in control all the way through Free Practice and Qualifying with 15-year-old Alex Escrig finally grabbing pole ahead of 14-year-old Marcos Uriarte after the pair worked together at the end of Qualifying. Fellow countryman and Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup leader, 16-year-old Carlos Tatay was all on his own for third.

Red Bull Rookies Cup Rnd Austria Alex Escrig
Alex Escrig – Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup 2019 – Round 5, Austria

The Escrig/Uriarte plan also included another Spielberg first timer, 15-year-old Pedro Acosta but the 15-year-old Spaniard missed out and was only ninth fastest. Also missing out was Japanese 18-year-old Haruki Noguchi who topped the timing screen only to have that best lap cancelled because he exceeded track limits.

Tatay has already won five races and scored two second places this year. With rival Yuki Kunii missing the Austrian round after injuring his right hand again in his wild card GP debut in Brno last weekend the 16-year-old Spaniard could well clinch the Cup this weekend.

Red Bull Rookies Cup Rnd Austria Field
Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup 2019 – Round 5, Austria

He could even do it on Saturday if Acosta, David Salvador and Jason Dupasquier do not score a few points. Most likely the Cup will still be in play on Sunday. Yet another Spaniard, 15-year-old David Salvador, starts fifth.


Race 1

A photo finish gave Pedro Acosta victory over Billy van Eerde and Haruki Noguchi in an incredible Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Race 1 in Austria.

Red Bull Rookies Cup Rnd Austria Pedro Acosta
Pedro Acosta – Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup 2019 – Round 5, Austria

Sensation from start to finish with run-away points leader Carlos Tatay given a ride-through penalty for a jump start along with fellow front row sitter Marcos Uriarte who was rolling while the crowd were still taking their seats.

Red Bull Rookies Cup Rnd Austria Billy Van Eerde
Billy Van Eerde – Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup 2019 – Round 5, Austria

Tatay and Uriarte recovered to score two and one-points respectively but it very much keeps the Cup alive as Acosta has slashed Tatay’s advantage to 54-points. Yuki Kunii is only 49 behind Tatay but the Japanese 16-year-old misses both races this weekend through injury.

It was at least a lead battle of twelve KTM RC 250 Rs and no one even looked like breaking away. In the closing stages it was Acosta, van Eerde and Noguchi who seemed strongest but the result was still wide open and the win only decided on the dash from the last corner to the flag.

Pedro Acosta

“An incredible feeling, I won that when the race was red flagged so this is much better. I had a good feeling going into the race because in FP1 and FP2 my times were good. I made a bit of a mess of Qualifying so only started ninth but I managed to get to the front quickly. At the end I didn’t want to lead, there are so many places to pass here, straights to slipstream, I just wanted to be third or second and I managed that. Then the last corners just worked perfectly but it was so close. It was so close, Noguchi touched me coming through the last turn but it was really such a nice fight, great fun.”

Red Bull Rookies Cup Rnd Austria Pedro Acosta
Pedro Acosta – Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup 2019 – Round 5, Austria

Van Eerde had lost a podium in Race 2 at the Sachsenring because of exceeding track limits but not this time and was ecstatic to finish on the podium.

Billy Van Eerde

“Finally, it was such a great race, I just kept pushing and never gave up. I wasn’t so happy with the bike in Qualifying and was only 11th on the grid. It was a bit unstable but I talked to Santi (Suspension engineer Santiago Morralla) and he had it sorted for the race. In the last corner Noguchi came across and I lost my drive just a bit but I’m so happy to get on the podium.”

Red Bull Rookies Cup Rnd Austria Billy Van Eerde
Billy Van Eerde – Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup 2019 – Round 5, Austria

Noguchi picked up his third third-place of his first Rookies Cup season.

Haruki Noguchi

“Not perfect, I had two or three plans for the end of the race but they didn’t quite work on the last lap, I still had a plan for the last corner as I’d watched the videos from the last few years, it almost worked but not quite. Tomorrow I will try again. I did change the bike after qualifying but for tomorrow we will go back a bit and I hope that can make the difference, I want to win.”

Red Bull Rookies Cup Rnd Austria Haruki Noguchi
Haruki Noguchi – Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup 2019 – Round 5, Austria

A very close fourth was French 14-year-old Gabin Planques whose previous best was 11th in Race 2 at the Sachsenring. Pole man Alex Escrig was in the lead group but ran off the track with a few laps to go, so none of the front row featured in the final podium contest.

Red Bull Rookies Cup Rnd Austria Race Podium
Race 1 podium, 1) Pedro Acosta, 2) Billy Van Eerde, 3) Haruki Noguchi – Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup 2019 – Round 5, Austria
Red Bull Rookies Cup Rnd Austria RaceResults Spielberg
Race 1 Results – Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup 2019 – Round 5, Austria

Race 2

Any one of sixteen could have won the second intense seventeen lap race but it was Japanese 18-year-old Haruki Noguchi who put together two perfect corners to complete his first Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup victory. Cup leader Carlos Tatay almost stole the win by passing him into the penultimate corner but the 16-year-old Spaniard drifted a fraction wide and Noguchi was back ahead.

Red Bull Rookies Cup Rnd Austria Sun field
Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup 2019 – Round 5, Austria

Billy van Eerde, the 17-year-old Australian picked up his second podium of the weekend with a fine third ahead of Adrián Huertas, Pedro Acosta and Zonta van den Goorbergh. Two seconds covered the top 14 KTM RC 250 Rs at the finish.

Red Bull Rookies Cup Rnd Austria Sun field
Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup 2019 – Round 5, Austria
Haruki Noguchi

“Finally a win and I am very happy with that. It was half full gas and half a bit of planning. It was such a tight bunch that I though it best to keep in the top three or four to keep out of trouble. On the last lap I wanted to take the lead and hold it but Tatay managed to get ahead and I had to repass him, then I went for maximum corner speed and using all the track at the last corner so I could not be passed. It worked. I want to thank everyone who supports me including the technical staff, we swapped back to the settings I used for Qualifying and that worked well today.”

Red Bull Rookies Cup Rnd Austria Sun Haruki Noguchi
Haruki Noguchi – Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup 2019 – Round 5, Austria

With a hand already on the Cup title Tatay might have cruised a bit and picked up useful points but the racer never thought of that.

Carlos Tatay

“I’m not thinking about the championship. I wanted to win. I went for the inside line at the end but just could not hold on. Still, second is good and I am very happy after yesterday’s mistake at the start. I really want to thank my manager and my mechanic, they know exactly how to give me a boost when I need it.”

Red Bull Rookies Cup Rnd Austria Sun Carlos Tatay
Carlos Tatay – Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup 2019 – Round 5, Austria

Wearing the same brilliant smile he carried after yesterday’s second place, Aussie Billy van Eerde was happy with third.

Billy van Eerde

“It was a different race to yesterday, I was stuck more in the pack. Things were so close this time that I couldn’t find the line I needed and it was very hard to make progress. I just kept pushing though and made it work at the end.”

Red Bull Rookies Cup Rnd Austria Sun Billy van Eerde
Billy Van Eerde – Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup 2019 – Round 5, Austria

Like van Eerde, Huertas has had a torrid second Rookies Cup season but the 15-year-old Spaniard put that behind him with a fine fourth. The same plan didn’t work so well for Saturday’s winner Acosta.

So rapid were the changes of fortune through the entire race that David Salvador, the 15-year-old Spaniard who had the lead with a couple of laps to go ended up 16th after colliding with Marcos Uriarte on the final lap. Uriarte rolled home 20th, completing a frustrating weekend that had looked so promising when he qualified second.

Red Bull Rookies Cup Rnd Austria Sun Acosta
Pedro Acosta – Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup 2019 – Round 5, Austria

Pole sitter Alex Escrig was even more unlucky. He ended up stuck in the gravel trap on Saturday and didn’t even make the start on Sunday after a collision with van den Goorbergh on the warm up lap. Escrig fell and his bike was damaged so the 15-year-old Spaniard could not start.

Van den Goorbergh did not fall, started as normal but was quickly awarded a long lap penalty for the incident with Escrig. He served the penalty and then managed to get back in the pack.

Red Bull Rookies Cup Rnd Austria Sun Race Podium
Race 1 podium, 1) Haruki Noguchi, 2) Carlos Tatay, 3) Billy Van Eerde – Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup 2019 – Round 5, Austria
Race Classification for AUT RookiesCup RAC
Race 2 Results – Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup 2019 – Round 5, Austria

2019 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup standings

  1. CARLOS TATAY (Spain) 158 points
  2. YUKI KUNII (Japan) 109
  3. PEDRO ACOSTA (Spain) 104
  4. HARUKI NOGUCHI (Japan) 82
  5. JASON DUPASQUIER (Switzerland) 79
  6. LORENZO FELLON (France) 77
  7. DAVID SALVADOR (Spain) 75
  8. MAX COOK (United Kingdom) 58
  9. MARCOS URIARTE (Spain) 54
  10. BARRY BALTUS (Belgium) 48
  11. BILLY VAN EERDE (Australia) 47
  12. ZONTA VAN DEN GOORBERGH (Netherlands) 34
  13. MATTEO BERTELLE (Italy) 32
  14. ALEX ESCRIG (Spain) 31
  15. GABIN PLANQUES (France) 25

Source: MCNews.com.au

KTM RC4R for 2020 Northern Talent Cup


The recent launch of the Northern Talent Cup has spread KTM’s influence wider into the foundations of road racing and further increased the credibility of the newest manufacturer to join the MotoGP entry list.

Northern Talent Cup Press Conference Tomczyk Ezpeleta Beirer
KTM recently announced providing the RC4R for the 2020 Northern Talent Cup

The Northern Talent Cup will draw 24 riders in 2020 between the ages of 12 and 17 for a seven round, one-make, cost-effective series with at least two of the events taking place alongside MotoGP fixtures. The scheme will compliment the other elements in Dorna’s development structure but with a firm emphasis on junior prospects from northern and central Europe. KTM will supply the 250cc four-stroke KTM RC4R that will be set and locked for several years in terms of technical specification.

The Northern Talent Cup solidifies the base of the pyramid from 2020 (the initiative replaces the ADAC Junior Cup powered by KTM where the KTM RC390 Cup bike was used) and where the levels begin.

KTM RCR Spec
2020 Northern Talent Cup – KTM RC4R

Moving up from the Northern Talent Cup riders will be able to expect the RC 250 R in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, which brings the bright and best young talent even closer to the tech of Grand Prix.

By the time riders might consider FIM CEV Moto3 Junior World Championship and the last ‘examination’ before the FIM World Championship then they will already be very familiar with the KTM RC4 currently used by 15 racers in Moto3. The RC12 in Moto2 is steered by nine athletes, while four have chosen the RC16 at the peak of the sport: MotoGP.

Northern Talent Cup launch
2020 Northern Talent Cup KTM RC4R

KTM hold three titles in road racing (2012, 2013 and 2016 in Moto3 with Sandro Cortese, Maverick Viñales and Brad Binder respectively) that take a valuable place in the 302 already won in all FIM disciplines by the factory from Mattighofen.

With the fresh investment into the Northern Talent Cup KTM make another statement in their belief, passion and value towards prototype racing and their role in the future for years to come.

Northern Talent Cup launch
2020 Northern Talent Cup launch conference
Pit Beirer – KTM Motorsports Director

“As we mentioned at the launch of the Northern Talent Cup in Sachsenring recently we are proud of what we have been able to contribute to the world of road racing so far and in normal KTM style, when we set our eyes on something we like to ‘go for it’. We already have a strong base thanks to the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup but the Northern Talent Cup allows us to go even closer to the beginning for many riders who want to be racers, and for families that want to start the dream but wonder how to make it work. For us it means a truly great stretch down through the prototypes and to that base machinery that might let the Espargaros and Zarcos of tomorrow start their journey. For a company like us – that takes such a big pride in our racing – there is no better feeling than watching that progression and helping it happen.”


2019 represents the third season for KTM and their Red Bull-backed teams in MotoGP and in rapid time the KTM RC16 has sliced race deficits to Grand Prix-winning rivals substantially. The motorcycle, in the hands of Red Bull KTM’s Pol Espargaro, has already crested the MotoGP podium and continues to inch closer to repeating the distinction in the foreseeable future.

MotoGP Rnd Sachsenring Germany Pol Espargaro
Pol Espargaro

But while KTM may be relative ‘new guys’ to the premier class the factory has been accomplishing feats in Grand Prix and feeding elite talent into the upper echelons of the sport for almost two decades.

Firstly their supply of RC 250 R machinery to the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup from 2012 (previously providing 125cc two-stroke motorcycles from 2007) has helped over 180 riders from more than 30 countries sample the high-profile series on international FIM World Championship spec circuits and twenty of the alumni are currently competing in either Moto3, Moto2 or MotoGP.

The ‘Rookies’ contest has amassed over 150 races in 13 seasons and is still the pinnacle ‘feeder’ into Moto3. The very first champion, Johann Zarco, is Red Bull KTM’s third representative in MotoGP.

MotoGP Rnd Sachsenring Germany Johann Zarco
Johann Zarco

KTM previously excelled in the old 125cc and 250cc divisions between 2003-2008 where their two-stroke technology helped athletes like Casey Stoner and Marc Marquez to the initial chequered flags of their careers.

In their first entry to Moto3 in 2012 (after dipping out of 125s in 2009) KTM snared the title with their RC 250 GP in the hands of Sandro Cortese and have remained protagonists ever since with stars like Jack Miller, Miguel Oliveira and Brad Binder shining; the last two names being the first racers to make the full climb in KTM colours from the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies through the stages up into MotoGP and passing through the capable climes of long-term partners Red Bull KTM Ajo.

Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup
Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup

The ‘ladder’ was made complete with Moto2 (thanks again to the Ajo framework) and MotoGP participation in 2017: that same year was the ultimate milestone as KTM took two places on the premier class grid.

Less than two years on another landmark was dropped in the Grand Prix story thanks to the alliance with Red Bull KTM Tech3 for 2019. Partnership with one of the best satellite teams in the history of the sport permitted four RC16s to echo through the paddock and allow a significant acceleration in R&D and development. Amplification of the test team with KTM stalwart Mika Kallio and Dani Pedrosa accumulating essential non-race mileage was another noteworthy deed.

Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup
Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup

For the third year in a row the entire scope of KTM’s prototype efforts across the divisions will be in full evidence at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria on August 9-11.


Images by Boerner T. / Gold and Goose Photography

Source: MCNews.com.au