Dawn for new stars

Three days of testing in Jerez in a variety of conditions on the KTM RC 250 Rs have prepared the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies well for their 12 race season across Europe. The 25 youngsters from 15 different nations, from Indonesia to Switzerland, from Colombia to Japan are ready to follow in the footsteps of their heroes.

Amongst the quickest over the two days was last year's Jerez winner Carlos Tatay. “It's been a very good test, we tried a few new things that we didn't do last year and I feel that we have made progress with the bike. I am very happy. I know that I should do well this season and I like to have pressure but not too much. I will try and balance that going into the season. I am happy with my pace for the long runs but when we come for the GP I will try and find a little bit more pace over one lap,” enthused the 15-year-old Spaniard.

Fast from all over

Very much on the pace was Japanese 16-year-old Yuki Kunii. “It has been a very good test, I like the track and I feel very confident on the bike now, I think we have a good setting. I want to do well but I don't feel the pressure this season. I should be competitive but I know very well that the races are always very hard in Rookies Cup so I know we will have many tough battles,” explained last year's Mugello winner.

Just as quick were some of the newcomers including Pedro Acosta. “I have to say that I didn't think I would do so well at this test, I am very happy with the way it has gone, I quickly found a good feeling with the bike and the way to work with my mechanic and all the technical staff,” said the 14-year-old Spaniard who was the star of the Selection Event last October.

A better start

Twelve months on from last year's test, Adrián Huertas is a lot happier. “Last year I missed the test through injury and started at the first race, of course I struggled with settings and the begining of the year was difficult. Now I have had three good days here and have a good setting with the bike so I am a lot more confident going into the season,” stated the 15-year-old Spaniard.

Rider coach Dani Ribalta summed things up. “I think we have another great group of riders. The track has been resurfaced since last year, it is smoother and the pace is quicker, our riders are making use of that and the main group is all very close. I think we are in for a very exciting season, some of the new riders are already very quick and the others will soon close up. We have a serious group who worked very hard so I think we can be excited about the season.”

Shooting for the stars

In the week after ex Rookies Lorenzo Baldassarri and Jaume Masiá won the Moto2 and Moto3 GPs in Argentina it is clear that the 2019 Rookies are on a path to GP stardom. Baldassarri, who is an ex Rookies Cup champion has 4 GP wins, a total of 10 podiums to his name and having opened the season with back-to-back victories obviously leads the Moto2 title chase.

The Rookies race season kicks off at the Gran Premio Red Bull de España back at Jerez in four weeks.

2019 Calendar

1-2 May 4-5 Jerez - Spain
3 June 1 Mugello - Italy
4-5 June 29 – 30 Assen – Netherlands
6-7 July 6-7 Sachsenring – Germany
8-9 August 10-11 Spielberg – Austria
10 September 14 Misano – Italy
11-12 September 21-22 Aragon – Spain

2019 Entry List 

5 Lorenzo Fellon (FRA)
6 Phillip Tonn (GER)
7 Barry Baltus (BEL)
11 Alex Escrig (ESP)
28 Matteo Bertelle (ITA)
29 Billy van Eerde (AUS)
30 Max Cook (GBR)
34 Mario Aji (IDN)
37 Pedro Acosta (ESP)
38 David Salvador (ESP)
44 Nicolas Hernandez (COL)
45 Clément Rougé (FRA)
48 Gabin Planques (FRA)
50 Jason Dupasquier (SUI)
55 Noah Dettwiler (SUI)
56 Haruki Noguchi (JPN)
62 Aidan Liebenberg (RSA)
66 Adrian Huertas (ESP)
70 Tyler Scott (USA)
74 Daijiro Sako (JPN)
84 Zonta van den Goorbergh (NED)
88 Artem Maraev (RUS)
89 Marcos Uriarte (ESP)
92 Yuki Kunii (JPN)
99 Carlos Tatay (ESP)