The fourth Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup begins at the Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez with 25 of the world's best teenage racers. 15 nations are represented from as far apart as Japan, Australia and Brazil plus the length and breadth of Europe, from Sweden to Italy, from the Czech Republic to Spain.
For this year the number of races for the coming season is increased to 10 so the riders get more opportunity to develop their skills and prove themselves in front of the Grand Prix fans, teams and media.
There are more double race weekends so that the Rookies perform both on the same day as the MotoGP race in Jerez, Assen, Sachsenring and Brno and on the preceding day of MotoGP qualifying in Jerez, Mugello, Assen, Sachsenring, Brno and Misano at a total of 6 GPs.
The Cup goes to Misano for the first time, a natural response to the huge enthusiasm for racing in Italy where, in common with the rest of the world, they wonder; 'Is there another Rossi?'
25 Rookies are hoping that they can follow in the great man's footsteps, or those of Andrea Dovizioso or Hiroshi Aoyama, both Red Bull athletes and World Champions who now contest the MotoGP class. With their aim clearly set, the season's hard work for the Rookies begins at the Valencia pre-season test on April 12th 13th and 15th.
Once again the Cup machinery is the KTM RC125, propelling the teenagers at GP speeds. Errors are serious but at least they benefit again from the protection of the Alpinestars race equipment. With the top equipment and support the teenagers could not have a better springboard to a GP career.
The last three years have already shown that the best of the Rookies get the chance to move on to the 125 Grand Prix category and both Jakub Kornfeil and Sturla Fagerhaug, first and second in last year's Cup, have made that step for the 2010 season. The path is clear and 25 young men are determined to take it.
For this year the number of races for the coming season is increased to 10 so the riders get more opportunity to develop their skills and prove themselves in front of the Grand Prix fans, teams and media.
There are more double race weekends so that the Rookies perform both on the same day as the MotoGP race in Jerez, Assen, Sachsenring and Brno and on the preceding day of MotoGP qualifying in Jerez, Mugello, Assen, Sachsenring, Brno and Misano at a total of 6 GPs.
The Cup goes to Misano for the first time, a natural response to the huge enthusiasm for racing in Italy where, in common with the rest of the world, they wonder; 'Is there another Rossi?'
25 Rookies are hoping that they can follow in the great man's footsteps, or those of Andrea Dovizioso or Hiroshi Aoyama, both Red Bull athletes and World Champions who now contest the MotoGP class. With their aim clearly set, the season's hard work for the Rookies begins at the Valencia pre-season test on April 12th 13th and 15th.
Once again the Cup machinery is the KTM RC125, propelling the teenagers at GP speeds. Errors are serious but at least they benefit again from the protection of the Alpinestars race equipment. With the top equipment and support the teenagers could not have a better springboard to a GP career.
The last three years have already shown that the best of the Rookies get the chance to move on to the 125 Grand Prix category and both Jakub Kornfeil and Sturla Fagerhaug, first and second in last year's Cup, have made that step for the 2010 season. The path is clear and 25 young men are determined to take it.
