Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup – Selection Event – Adria – September 1st to 4th Teenage stars in the sun. Four days of glorious Italian sunshine allowed one hundred of the World’s best teenage motorcyclists to show off their abilities at the two Initial Selection Events, looking for those who will join the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup in 2009. A pair of two day tests run back to back at the Adria Raceway revealed a superb level of talent exhibited by riders from as far afield as Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and South Africa. “It is just incredible to see how much some of the guys improved even just over a two day test,” said Gustl Auinger, Rider Coach for the MotoGP Rookies Cup and one of the Selection Panel. “It has been a great four days, we’ve had a lot of fun and seen a lot of talent. It’s such a shame we can’t take them all into the Cup but as I tell all the riders there are many ways to enjoy our sport, the Rookies Cup is just one of them.” At the end of the four days the Selection Panel drew up a list of 28 riders who are invited to the Final Selection Event to be held in Estoril, Portugal on November 7th and 8th. There was a great variety of experience represented and while it might have seemed to favour those who have ridden machines similar to the Metrakit 125s used for the selection or those familiar with the circuit in fact it was the way those that those without such experience adapted that most drew the attention of the Selection Panel. One of those was 15 year old Thomas Vavrous from the Czech Republic. “This is a much smaller bike than the RS125 Aprilia I normally ride and it took a bit of getting used to. At first I thought I was in real trouble when I fell off at the beginning of the first session but then I started to settle down and enjoy it and I’ve had a lot of fun.” For some the whole experience was just fantastic. “It’s just a great trip,” said 15 year old Nick Cain from New Zealand. “I can’t believe the way it is all organised, the bikes, the track, everything. I’m having a blast here. It is a long way to come and quite different to what I am used to but a great experience.” While some found the bikes smaller than those they are used to, others, like 12 year old Scott Deroue from the Netherlands, found it quite a big step up. “It’s my first time on a 125, I have just been riding pocket bikes. It’s been a big new experience for me, a lot of fun though.” For many just being at the Rookies selection Event was an end in itself, for some though their ambitions stretch far off into the distance, like 12 year old Italian Andrea Migno. He already has a clear ambition; “Win as many World Championships as Agostini. No, I want to win more than him!”