Tag Archives: Red Bull Rookies 2021

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

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

Voight races to Red Bull Rookies PB eighth in Germany

2021 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup
Round 4 – Sachsenring, Germany


Matteo Bertelle has continued his impressive performance at Sachsenring over the weekend, with the 17-year-old Italian taking pole after being fast all day, while consistently fast Rookies Cup rider Dani Holgado grabbed second on the grid ahead of Indonesian 17-year-old Mario Aji.

Matteo Bertelle

Just a second covered the top 13 KTM RC250 Rs with Mugello’s debut victor Taiyo Furusato heading up the second row. Alongside the 15-year-old Japanese sat 16-year-old Marcos Uriarte and fellow Spaniard and Cup points leader 15-year-old David Muñoz.

The grid positions were up in the air ahead of the start of Race 1 though as some ‘tactical riding’ drew the attention of Race Direction.

Taiyo Furusato

Matteo Bertelle

“Finally a pole position, it’s incredible for me because the last time we were here in the Sachsenring it wasn’t good at all. But this year I have a good pace and a good mentality. Today I have a good feeling with the bike especially when using a new tyre and I’m ready for tomorrow. I hope to make a perfect start and then let’s enjoy the race.”

Harrison Vought lined up on the grid in 22nd, while New Zealand’s Cormac Buchanan was 24th, both on the eighth row.


Race 1

Sachsenring provided magnificent action as always with 14 KTMs battling for the lead for most of the race. At the flag it was Colombian David Alonso who held the slightest advantage over Marcos Uriarte and David Muñoz.

David Alonso

David Alonso

“It was a very difficult race because 19 laps on this circuit is very tiring, also because of the very hot weather. I was in 7th position on the grid, in the first laps I was calm. Then I tried to push, make my own pace and get away from the group, but it wasn’t possible. So I let them pass, waited to the last laps and I knew that going onto the last lap it was clear, I needed to be first. I was riding well and I then just needed to defend my position and that’s what I did. It’s very positive because after a race long battle I could take another win and that’s very good for my confidence. The tyres did drop off but for me it was good because I could also be fast on old tyres and it was not a problem. At the end they passed me on the brakes but ran wide and I could make a good last corner and win.”

Alonso’s third win of the season puts the 15-year-old back on top of the points table but only by six-points from David Muñoz, the 15-year-old Spaniard, who did a fantastic job of recovering from a long lap penalty.

The Race 1 podium saw Alonso win from Uriarte and Munox

Marcos Uriarte

“Today was very good, the race was very hard because the tyres dropped off a lot. It was difficult to manage the race but I pushed every lap to my limit and I am very happy to have finished second. Tomorrow I hope to win.”

David Muñoz

“It was very hot and hard today at the Sachsenring but it was a good race. It was difficult for me because of the long lap penalty but I managed to fight back to the front. I did go for the lead on the last lap on the bakes at the bottom of the hill but then was wide and lost the advantage. Now I must focus on tomorrow and I am looking for more.”

David Alonso leads Race 1

Third on the Cup table is Dani Holgado who was in the lead battle as always but was just out of podium contention on the final lap thanks to a three rider fall in turn one that split the eight-rider lead group. He crossed the line fourth, just ahead of another 16-year-old Spaniard Iván Ortolá.

Dani Holgado

“It was a difficult race for me today because in the lead group on the last lap there was a crash with Bertelle, Muñoz (Daniel) and Furusato so I lost distance to the first three. But it was still enough for 4th position, good points for the championship. Tomorrow we have another opportunity, 4th is not bad but I prefer first position.”

Dani Holgado

Australian Harrison Voight finished the opening race 12th after seven weeks away from racing, just behind Sho Nishimura. Cormac Buchanan meanwhile finished 17th.


Race 2

In Race 2 Matteo Bertelle won his first Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup race in dramatic fashion. The 17-year-old Italian was in the lead battle all the way and managed to avoid a five rider fall at the start of the final laps that took out the rest of the lead group.

Daniel Holgado seemed set for another win, before last lap drama took out most of the leading group

After his solitary last lap he crossed the line over two-seconds ahead of Daniel Muñoz with Tatchakorn Buasri granted third after Diogo Moreira was penalised a place for a last lap track limits infraction.

It had been another incredible battle and with the laps counting down Saturday’s winner David Alonso looked most comfortable in the lead. As the pack went onto the last lap he was under great pressure from Daniel Holgado, David Muñoz, Marcos Uriarte, Iván Ortolá and Bertelle.

Dani Holgado

The six all funnelled into Turn 1 and simply didn’t fit, Bertelle managed to back out of it but the other five ended in the gravel, fortunately without serious injury.

Matteo Bertelle

“It has been a fantastic weekend. Yesterday was an unlucky day but today was a lucky day. I am so sorry for the other guys who crashed but this is the race. I had a very good feeling with the bike and I say thanks to my mechanic Frederico and everyone who supports me so much and I will see you in Austria.”

Matteo Bertelle claimed top honours in Race 2, ahead of Daniel Muñoz and Tatchakorn Buasri

Daniel Muñoz

“It was a very difficult race because I have pain in my arm all week. But I am happy for the podium. I still want more because I couldn’t run with the first group in the last laps. For this I am not happy but I am training and working for the next races. I still need to improve a lot of things and I want to battle at the front at the Red Bull Ring and have the rhythm to be fighting at the front right to the last laps.”

Tatchakorn Buasri

“Today I am very happy because I improved a lot, I was fighting in the front group. In the last few laps I lost the leaders as I had a big highside as I opened the throttle and then there was a big gap to the lead group. Then the front group had a big crash and I was then fighting for 2nd place. It was a great last lap battle and finally I could get the podium. I am very excited and happy with the result. I think we made big improvements and I can’t wait to go racing again.”

David Alonso

“Today I made a good start but in the first corner I touched with some rider and then I was at the back of the group more or less, waiting until the last laps. I felt good and also the riders were pushing hard so I stayed there. Then with 5 laps to go I got into the lead and I pushed hard. I was happy that I could do good laps alone. It was fast but I could not get away. In the last lap I was second but going to be first then one rider hit us all and that finished the race.”

Mario Aji finished Race 2 in seventh, just ahead of Voight

Aussie Harrison Voight had a better second race taking a personal best eighth-place finish from a 21st start, tagging onto the lead group and battling as high as third on the final lap.

Harrison Voight

“My goal for Race 1 was to finish, and gain some confidence back after not racing in seven weeks. To finish being inside the points was something I didn’t expect. I had a great start, was aggressive on the first five laps and just went for any gap that I seen available, definitely made some passes in places that I didn’t think it was possible to stay on… I kept pushing to my limit and tagged onto the back of the group. On the final lap I was in the battle for third place! Beyond happy with the progress I made this weekend and I was the sixth fastest rider in the race, less then two tenths having the fastest lap of the race including only being three-seconds off the race winner! Thanks to those that made it possible, feels good to be back racing.”

Harrison Voight took a PB of eighth in Race 2 at Sachsenring over the weekend, in the Red Bull Rookies Cup
Harrison Voight took a PB of eighth in Race 2 at Sachsenring over the weekend, in the Red Bull Rookies Cup – Image by Gold & Goose / Red Bull Content Pool

Cormac Buchanan came home in 16th in Race 2, beating Bartholome Perrin.


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