MotoGP Red Bull 2024 Rookie Cup
Pre-season testing – Jerez – April
Beautiful sunshine and two days of action in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup pre-season testing at Jerez have raised expectations of a sensational 18th season for the home of the World champions.
26 of the world’s fastest teenagers, 15 of whom are new to the KTM-spec Moto3, made the most of two days on the same track they will use for their first race weekend of the year in end of month.
Gustl Auinger – Racer coach
“We had a really great test, we’re always surprised at how quickly new riders accelerate but I think that’s truer this year than ever. I don’t know why, it might have something to do with the increased age limit but the guys are very serious, they listen to what we say and do very well. I am very impressed with the professional attitude of our players, this is going to be a great season, very competitive and tight.”
The switch to Pirelli tires gave even those in their third year something to think about and perhaps helped reduce lap time dilation as the Cup ran 14 races at seven Grand Prix venues.
Dani Ribalta – Racer coach
“It was a very good test, it lasted two days, we are very happy with the tyres, the guys found that they can perform well on used tires and that is important of course, important for safety. We had a good pace and hardly had any crashes, we did have a few crashes later today as the wind got quite strong which tired the guys out but not too much, mostly All handled very well.”
Australia’s Carter Thompson has had the chance to start his 2024 season with his initial preparations going well ahead of next year.
Carter Thompson
“During off-season training in Australia we haven’t been able to ride much on the Pirelli’s or KTM Moto3s, so we know we’ve got a lot of work to do..
“The KTM RC250R is unchanged from last year and has always been a great ride, but the characteristics of the Pirelli tires are very different from the Dunlop and Bridgestone tires we’ve used in the past. Getting used to this difference and adapting my driving to how I needed to go was a big change, but we got there.
“We don’t have any official timeline; we just received feedback from Dani and the other staff, and they were always very helpful.
“It was a long and very busy three days of testing, but I loved coming back and enjoying every minute of it.
“The first day was like Christmas as we received all the new equipment. My new Alpinestars kit is awesome and my HJC helmet is sure to stand out with its Aussie livery.
“We also did a fitness assessment with the Red Bull Athlete Performance Center which was fun and interesting.
“Days two and three were on track. My feeling on the bike was good and I made the progress I expected of myself and felt confident going into the first lap. I’m looking forward to racing in Jerez in a few weeks.”
List of participants for the 2024 Red Bull MotoGP Rookie Cup
- 4 Sullivan Mounsey (UK)
- 5 Leo Rammerstorfer (AUT)
- 7 Rocco Sessler (GER)
- 11 Ruché Moodley (RSA)
- 13 Danish Hakim (MAL)
- 16 Joel Pons (ESP)
- 20 Jakkreephat Phuettisan (THA)
- 24 Guillem plans (FRA)
- 27 Rico Salmela (FIN)
- 28 Maximo Quiles (ESP)
- 31 Giulio Pugliese (ITA)
- 44 Milan Pawelec (POL)
- 45 Kgopotso Mononyane (RSA)
- 47 Dodo Boggio (ITA)
- 48 Lennox Phommara (SUI)
- 50 Carter Thompson (AUSTRALIA)
- 51 Brian Uriarte (ESP)
- 52 Evan Belford (UK)
- 54 Vedic Pratama (INA)
- 56 Kevin Farkas (HUN)
- 57 Leonardo Zanni (ITA)
- 70 Kristian Daniel (USA)
- 73 Valentin Perrone (ARG)
- 83 Alvaro Carpe (ESP)
- 94 Pini Instructions (ITA)
- 95 Marco Morelli (ARG)
Red Bull MotoGP 2024 Rookie Cup schedule
- April 27-28 Jerez – Spain
- May 11-12 Le Mans – France
- June 1-2 Mugello – Italy
- June 29-30 Assen – Netherlands
- August 17-18 Spielberg – Austria
- August 31 – September 1 Aragon – Spain
- September 7-8 Misano – Italy
