Frantic, back to back, weekends in Germany and England kick off the second half of the 2009 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup. Norwegian 17 year old Sturla Fagerhaug leads the table by a handsome 43 points from 14 year old Japanese Daijiro Hiura but knows that a repeat of his first corner crash at the Sachsenring last year could turn all that around. With 4 races still to go there are 100 points to be won. Hiura has yet to add to the Cup victory he scored last year in Portugal but after a fine 2nd place in Assen he is just one of those Fagerhaug will be watching out for. The man really hitting form might be Jake Gagne, the 15 year old Californian is only in his second season as a road racer but following his 3rd in Assen he could continue America’s domination at the German track. Cameron Beaubier won in 2007 on his way to the KTM factory 125 GP team and JD Beach won last year on his way to winning the 2008 Cup. More experienced opposition comes from Danny Kent who bettered Fagerhaug in the second race of the year to win in Jerez. He also had him in his sights towards the end of the race in Assen but fell and lost his 2nd position in the Cup chase by 2 points to Hiura. Nothing would be better for 15 year old Kent than putting together a great ride in Germany to boost his confidence on the way to Donington and his home race. “I’ve never seen the place before,” said Kent, not at all deterred by his first trip to the Sachsenring. “I’ve been racing it on Xbox and it looks like fun, up and down and that’s fine for me, I liked Brno last year and that’s a bit the same.” Even though he has to learn the track and will race against Fagerhaug, and others, who know it well, Kent is going there to win. “I think it’s very possible, I’m going to do everything I can and it’s not just Sturla, there’s Jake, Daijiro, Mathew Scholtz and Florian Marino. They’ll all be good.” “I know that Sturla’s got a points lead now but I am just going to concentrate on getting back as much of that lead as possible. That’s what I’ll do and it’ll be the same at every track and if it’s raining or dry I don’t mind,” concluded Kent. Putting in his homework last month was Jakub Kornfeil, the 16 year old Czech finished second in the German National 125 Championship race at the Sachsenring behind World Championship regular Jonas Folger who was similarly preparing for the German GP. Kornfeil lies 4th in the Cup chase a point behind Kent and already knows what it will take to beat Fagerhaug in Germany having hounded him all the way to the finish line in Mugello. Kent remains the only rider to have spoiled Fagerhaug’s perfect score this year but the Cup leader knows that he could well be up for another 7 man fight for the lead that made the Assen race such a thriller. The action can be seen live on www.redbullrookiescup.com and starts at 16.25 CET on Saturday July 18th.
Fagerhaug Leads Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Heading Into German Round
Fagerhaug Leads Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Heading Into German Round
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