Starved of excitement, we can’t wait to hear those Moto3 spec KTMs bring a very special thrill in Austria this coming weekend.
Some of the 26 teens may feel the summer sunburn as they wriggle into their Alpinestars leathers for the first practice session in Spielberg on Friday morning. They should all be fully fit and committed for the last six races of the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup season. Races at the Red Bull Ring, Motorland Aragon and Misano will decide the 18th Cup season.
Born Racers
The 6-part series is gradually being rolled out on more and more streaming services around the world and follows the Rookies as they try to earn their place in Grand Prix racing. Born Racers captures the real-life trials that racing hopefuls must go through: family sacrifices, pressure, doubts, friendships and rivalries. Click here for the full list of viewing platforms
Uriarte the man to catch
The current points table is headed by Brian Uriarte by 13 points over fellow Spaniard Álvaro Carpe with Argentina’s Valentin Perrone 3rd and a further 10 behind. Those three have displayed an impressive blend of pace and consistency, scoring well in all 8 races so far.
Spain’s Màximo Quiles is undoubtedly fast but the 16-year-old still has a few things to learn. The exclusion from racing in Assen, following the Mugello incident, lost him the points lead after a super fast start to the season, which kicked off with two wins, a 2nd and a 3rd. If he has learnt his lesson he should be a strong contender for the Cup over the last six races, he stands 30 points off the lead.
Quiles is in his third Cup season. Points leader Uriarte (above) is in his first season and only turned 16 on Monday but he is a very intelligent fast learner who already has two wins, two 2nds and a 3rd to his name. Carpe is in his second Rookies season and the 17-year-old has recorded a win, three 2nds and a 3rd so far this year. He was playing for consistency but now knows he must beat Uriarte and that is not easy.
So many winners
The wild card is Perrone, it is his debut season and not only does he have a win, a 2nd and a 3rd but he is always racing up front and one more step forward will see him a real cup contender. His countryman Marco Morelli started his second Cup season with a win and was victorious again last time out but a couple of falls and an unlucky technical issue have left him 7th in the title chase, 63 points adrift.
That’s a lot to make up and ahead of him, Rico Salmela (5th) and Hakim Danish (6th) both know they have a lot to do but there are still 150 points to be won. 16-year-old Finn Salmela has taken two 2nd places and a 3rd this year, still looking for a victory to match that he scored 2 years ago in his debut season.
Danish, the 17-year-old Malaysian (above) is in his second year and has yet to stand on the top step but he has a 2nd and a 3rd this year and should be able to find the fine form that slipped last time out in Assen.
Don’t forget
As for those who have yet to make it onto the podium, keep an eye on 15-year-old Indonesian Veda Pratama, he is certainly fast and learning very quickly in his debut season. He took a 4th in Assen Race 1 and stands 8th in the points chase just in front of Ruche Moodley (#11 bellow). The 17-year-old South African is in his 3rd year and is a strong contender for the podium but 4th is his best coming out of the summer break. After his bad luck this season he would love a Rookies win before he moves on to other series.
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/
