Up and coming American racer Elena Myers, 15, has become the first female rider selected to race in the prestigious Red Bull AMA US Rookies Cup for 2009. After a very successful rookie 2008 season of racing 600cc machinery for Team Green Kawasaki, Elena now looks forward to returning to the smaller two-stroke GP machines; she made her 125cc race-winning debut at Portland International Raceway just four years ago. Elena had this to say: “What can I say, other than it’s an honor to have been selected for the Red Bull Rookies Cup. I had a great ’08 season on the 600s and managed to get a few wins and a bunch of podiums in the WERA West and WERA National Challenge Series. I really love the 600s and they’ve taught me a lot but it’s always been my goal to make it to the GPs some day and getting back on the smaller bike with what I know now will hopefully put me where I need to be.” Elena went on to add, “After seeing how the Red Bull program was run last year with the AMA and what it’s done for lots of my friends, I couldn’t wait to try out for ’09! I know it’s gonna be tough with all the competition but I’m ready for the challenge! I’ve been training real hard and riding as much as I can. This is a chance of a lifetime so I really want to thank the Red Bull staff for giving me this opportunity and also to Kawasaki for believing in and working with me these past couple of years. See you all at the AMA races next year!”