Tough decisions in response to a harsh reality. Red Bull has taken the decision to trim the 2009 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup to 8 races at 6 Grand Prix and cancel the 2009 Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup following a significant reduction of support by a major partner. At a time when companies the world over are bracing themselves for the effects of recession Red Bull has shouldered as much of the load as possible to cover both the technical as well as operational efforts of running the MotoGP Cup but there will simply not be enough spares and technical support available to keep the U.S. series at a high level in 2009. This is not a happy situation for anyone concerned. The positive is that the Rookies Cup will continue and the aim remains to give as many riders as possible the chance to progress towards the highest level of Grand Prix racing. Red Bull wished to thank Alpinestars and Dorna for their unwavering support in these difficult circumstances and deeply regrets the unavoidable disappointment that this brings, particularly to those involved in the U.S. Cup. The Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup now enters its third season and will be contested at the following Grands Prix: May 2nd / 3rd Jerez – Spain (double header) May 30th Mugello – Italy June 27th Assen – Netherlands July 18th Sachsenring – Germany July 25th Donington – England August 15th /16th Brno – Czech Republic (double header) Two pre season tests each lasting two days are planned. March 26th – 27th Estoril – Portugal March 30th – 31st Jerez – Spain More, from a press release issued by Red Bull U.S.A.: In a time when companies around the world have been affected by the current state of the economy, the racing industry has not been immune. Due to a significant reduction of key partner support, Red Bull has made the tough decision to trim the 2009 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup calendar to eight races at six Grands Prix and cancel the 2009 Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup season. The overall aim of the Rookies Cup remains, however, to give as many talented young riders as possible the chance to progress toward the highest level of Grand Prix motorcycle racing. Based on their success in the 2008 Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup, two riders, series champion Benny Solis of North Hollywood, Calif., and Hayden Gillim, of Owensboro, Ky., have advanced to compete on the world stage in Europe in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup. The Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup now enters its third season and will be contested at the following Grands Prix: May 2nd / 3rd Jerez, Spain (doubleheader) May 30th Mugello, Italy June 27th Assen, Netherlands July 18th Sachsenring, Germany July 25th Donington, England August 15th /16th Brno, Czech Republic (doubleheader) Two pre-season tests, each lasting two days, are planned: March 26th – 27th Estoril, Portugal March 30th – 31st Jerez, Spain