Red Bull Rookies Cup: It was a KTM mobile masterpiece of free expression, a last lap for the ages for the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup.
Out of a 4-rider lead battle, Brian Uriarte placed himself perfectly to take 2nd place down Misano’s back straight. When leader David González outbraked himself into the final tight right-hander, Uriarte snuck inside and took the lead. He was unpassable through the final 2 left-handers.
Marco Morelli had been hounding long-time leader Uriarte for much of the race and grabbed 2nd ahead of late charger Zen Mitani. González recovered to 4th, and 0.308 seconds covered the 4 of them over the line.
Uriarte went into the penultimate race of the 19th Cup season as points leader over Veda Pratama and Hakim Danish. When Pratama collided with Yaroslav Karpushin and crashed on lap 11 of 15, taking Danish off the track as well, the Cup was effectively Uriarte’s.
Brian Uriarte 1st and Cup winner
“I had escaped close to one second,” explained the 17-year-old Spaniard. “But then they caught me, and it was a last-lap race. I really braked very late at the end of the straight on the last lap, and he more, so something was going to happen. I turned inside and that was it.”
“I was really enjoying the race, the long right-hander onto the back straight is unique. It’s something I was learning through the winter, to slide like that through right-handers. It’s a place that I improved from yesterday, so I was getting great drive onto the back straight.”
“Tomorrow, we have another race, so let’s see. The championship is already done, so it’s less pressure. I will try to match Angel’s win record.” Angel Piqueras became the most successful Rookie of all time with 11 in his 2 Rookies seasons, 2022 & 23.
Marco Morelli 2nd
“It was a super race, I enjoyed it a lot,” enthused the 18-year-old Argentine. “It was difficult because, when you know that some guys are fighting for the championship, you might think it’s better to be careful. But I think the other way, it’s better you just race and don’t make any mistakes.”
“I had all the race Bryan in front. I’m happy for him to be the champion of the Red Bull Rookies Cup 2025.”
“I tried to be on the front always. I was feeling so good with the bike. So, let’s see if tomorrow we can do it another time and go one better.”
Zen Mitani 3rd
“I had to take care of my shoulder, I needed to save it,” explained the Japanese 18-year-old. “So I was just staying in the lead group. And then in the last, like, two laps. I just pushed it out of my mind and looked in front and went for it.”
“It was great that Kevin Schwantz spoke to me before the race. I met him when I was just a kid, and that is why I race number 34. Tomorrow I just keep going, and don’t think too much about my shoulder.”
David González 4th
I had a very strong fight with Pratama, with Brian, with Morelli and Mitani,” enthused the Spanish 17-year-old. “It was a very exciting race, great battles. I got in front on the last lap, I was determined to hang, make it impossible for anyone to pass.”
“I went so late on the brakes at the end of the back straight, too late, the front started to tuck, I almost crashed. I saved it, but the race was lost. Still, it was a great race, and tomorrow I will try again.”
Hakim Danish 10th
“Today I would like to say congratulations to Brian,” stated the Malaysian 18-year-old. “He did a very good job this year. In the race, I felt quite good, but unfortunately, I almost crashed. We made contact, and I was pushed off the track.”
“I will look at the video of the race this evening and try to improve a little myself. Then I will race as hard as I can tomorrow.”
Veda Pratama Crash
“I’m a bit unlucky, I think,” mused the 16-year-old Indonesian. “I felt confident before the race. But when the race started, I don’t know why, but all the riders were going crazy. They didn’t let me get to the front. That’s racing.”
“It’s just unlucky I crashed because another rider made contact and I couldn’t keep control. Tomorrow is another race, and I will fight for the win so that I can take second place in the Cup.”
Broadcast
This weekend’s Rookies Cup races can be seen live on www.redbull.tv and on TV stations around the world.
Race 2 is on Sunday at 08:45, the show starts 10 minutes before the race.
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For more info checkout our dedicated Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup News page Rookies Cup News
Or visit the official Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup website rookiescup.redbull.com/
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