Editorial Note: American Christian Daniels Jr. finished fifth in Sunday’s Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Race Two at Moterland Aragon in Spain.
Session for ARA RookiesCup RAC2 copy
More, from the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup press release:
Hakeem Danish scores impressive Wet Rookies win at Aragon Race 2
A first and dominant Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup victory made history for Hakim Dane at wet Motorland Aragon. Falling and opening the cup race for the cup leader Alvaro Carpe. Closest competitor Brian Uriarte finished 2nd to close the points gap to just 13 heading into next weekend’s Misano 2 race.
Rico Salmela fought his way through the field to swap places with Uriarte at the final corner. He finished 3rd, losing only his hunt for grip between the two KTMs on his car to the line.
Denmark took a historic first victory over Malaysia in the Rookies Cup
“I knew it had rained a lot during the night,” said the 17-year-old, in his second Cup season. “So when I woke up, I prepared myself for the wet race and was determined to focus. I did 2 sighting laps and had confidence in the bike, the grip and the feel. So when I got to the starting grid I said to my mechanic, ‘Okay, maybe this is my time.’
“When we started the race I tried as fast as I could, to get out, to create a gap. I wanted to escape but I wanted to control. I was under pressure in the first laps, I saw that Brian was only 0.5 behind him but I kept going and created a gap.
I kept my focus and made sure my pace and focus and lap times were consistent. I think I did a really good job, I didn’t relax, I wanted as big a gap as I could.
Yuriart is happy with the 3rd over the 2nd
“Today was better than yesterday,” smiled the 16-year-old Spaniard. “I’m a little happy. At first I was catching Hakeem in some corners, others he took a bit of a gap. Following a doctor was difficult but not impossible. I saw that going with him was a risk and I saw that I was 2 seconds ahead of the 3rd man and I really didn’t want to take the risk.
“I saw some images on the screen that something happened to Alvaro but I didn’t want to think about it. I was focused on my own race, if I’m not fighting for the championship, I’ll do the same, enjoying the race and making the most of the conditions. It was a good race today.”
Salmela spinning to 3rd.
16-year-old Finn said: “Starting P11 I had to pass a lot in the first round. “At the start of the race I stuck with a few riders, the first few guys got away. But I started to feel better on my lap, I tried to put pressure on Valentin, I thought it was working.
“I thought I had the pace to pass him and follow Brian but he fell so I didn’t have to. Then the plan wasn’t to go to Brian, he was too far away, but with 3 laps to go I felt really good at the front, the rear started to slip a bit but it was okay and I was able to control it.
“I saw that Brian was getting closer all the time and we had a good fight in the last corner, I tried my best but I was spinning the rear tire on the exit and it was a really good race.”
After finishing P16, Carpe still leads the trophy.
“Today is not good because I was charged,” said the 17-year-old Spaniard. “I picked up my bike and went again, broke the clutch, half off but I still managed. I tried to push as hard as I could, pass as many riders as I could. But I got close to the point and finished 16th, but it wasn’t enough.
“There were difficult conditions and my bike was not comfortable. I think I’m still leading the points by 13, in front of Brian and it’s not that bad.
