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| 02.05.2010 |
| Kent leads Red Bull Rookies as junior KTM riders launch their bid for glory |
| Briton Danny Kent on Sunday emerged as early championship leader in the 2010 Red Bull Rookies Cup after the opening two races in Jerez Spain in this series that underlines KTM’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of professional racers. |
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The 16-year old won the season’s opener on Saturday and followed it up with a solid third on Sunday to walk away with 45 championship points. The 24-man field of hand-picked junior talent all compete on identical KTM 125 racing machines.
Chequered flag glory on the second race day went to Daniel Ruiz of Spain, who was also on the podium on Saturday in third to finish his weekend with 41 championship points, just four behind the 16-year-old Kent. Japanese talent Daijiro Hiura also had a good weekend with a second an third for overall third.
Saturday’s race was another typical nail-biter with nine riders going into the final lap with podium chances and the decision only coming in the final corner when Kent, who won here last year, streaked by pole sitter Hiura and Ruiz to snatch the opening honours. "I just pushed as hard I could through the last half a lap and was absolutely as late on the brakes as I could be at the last corner because I knew they would be right on me," said Kent.
But on Sunday it was Daniel Ruiz’s day when he took the glory in front of his home crowd in another eight-man fight to the finish. "It's a dream come true," said Ruiz. "To win at my home Grand Prix is just incredible. “I knew it would come down to a last lap battle. I got in front again on the last lap but even at the last corner I had Daijiro up the inside and Danny outside, I just had to keep going and get on the gas as soon as I could."
Photos Red Bull
Results Race One
1. Danny Kent, Britain, KTM, 30’25.205
2. Daijiro Hiura, Japan, KTM, 30’25.361
3. Daniel Ruiz, Spain, KTM, 30’25.499
4. Brad Binder, South Africa, 30’25. 954
5. Jacob Gagne, USA, KTM, 30’26.176
Results Race Two
1. Daniel Ruiz, Spain, KTM, 30’13.769
2. Danny Kent, Britain, KTM, 30’13.840
3. Daijiro Hiura, Japan, KTM, 30’13.919
4. Mathew Scholtz, South Africa, KTM, 30’13.997
5. Harry Stafford, Britain, KTM, 30’14.146
Championship Standings after two races
1. Danny Kent, Britain, 45 points
2. Daniel Ruiz, Spain, 41
3. Daijiro Hiura, Japan, 36
4. Mathew Scholtz, South Africa, 21
5. Jacob Gagne, USA, 21 |
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| Moment of glory for junior KTM racers
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| Danny Kent takes the lead
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| Red Bull Rookies deliver dramatic action on Jerez circuit |
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