Who’s going to follow in the footsteps of Dani Pedrosa and Nicky Hayden? Twenty-four two-wheeled prodigies will muscle up for the challenge at the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup – and in the immediate surroundings of their idols, will collect a whole year of racing experience.
“I can hardly wait for Jerez,” said the local hero after training. “The tests were okay, the bike works, and the crowd will push me to give 150 percent. Now I just want to get out and race!” An offering from Dani Pedrosa, champing at the bit about his home GP in Jerez? No, this declaration, sounding no less professional, comes from his 15-year-old compatriot Cristian Trabalon, one of 24 participants of the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup.Ten races between March and August
The ten-race cup, which is part of the pro race fringe program, begins with a double-header on March 29 and 30 in Jerez and ends – again with two races – with the GP in Brno on August 16 and 17. The participants, aged between 12 and 17 and filtered through from 17 nations, were decided in a series of Europe-wide selection events, and are competing on structurally identical KTM RC 125 bikes.
Talent scouting on two continents
Being held on the other side of the Atlantic, running parallel to the MotoGP Rookies Cup, is the Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup. This is where the best US rookies are being sought. As with their European counterparts, the most talented drivers here will also get the chance to start a major motor sports career – independent of the professionalism of their surroundings or their financial means.
Battle between AMA and MotoGP rookies
In the fall the best ten Rookies of both cups will then compete against each other for the Red Bull Riders Cup. The first clash is on September 13th as part of the Red Bull Indianapolis GP, then on October 25th there is a rematch at the MotoGP season finale in Valencia.
Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup
Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup
Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup
Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup