For the AUT RookiesCup RAC1 session
More, from the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup press release:
Carpe Spielberg impressed the rookies
Unbroken action for the 16 laps of Spielberg ended with Alvaro Carp from the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup KTM perfect driver turning. Winning by just 0.024 seconds from Marco Morelli.
Just like the impressive Màximo Quiles, who recovered from a long lap penalty, rejoined in 10th place with just 4 laps to go, 5 seconds behind leader Carpe. The 16-year-old Spaniard returned to contention and finished a very close 3rd.
Carpe’s second win of the year gives the 17-year-old Spaniard a 2-point lead, as 16-year-old Spaniard Brian Uriarte finished 6th over the weekend.
Carpe is the star of Spielberg.
In the year In 2023, Race 1 was delighted to match the victory in an “unbelievable race”. Also, mine when he does his long lap. I saw him on TV and thought it was time to push because he was going to be behind.
“I think I did a good job, I was leading in the last lap but I knew there was a good chance someone would try to pass me in the second to last corner. Marco did, but on the exit of the last corner, I knew I was too fast. I tried to pass in the last corner while running but I was too heavy on the brakes. It was late and then I knew it was to find the perfect outlet and I did.
Morelli on top form
“It was a very tough race,” said the 17-year-old, who won his first race in Jerez and the most recent race in Assen. “I had a good start and was running at the front. With about 8 laps to go I decided to relax a bit. I put the tires a little because they were sliding a little on the long lefts. In the last laps I passed 3 or 4 for the lead and Carpe on the last lap.
I braked defensively in the last corner but went a little too wide, almost touching the green and Carpe won. I’m happy because at the beginning of the weekend I didn’t think I could do it.
Quills almost won
“It was so crazy. After a long lap I saw the group very far away but I said to myself: ‘Okay I won’t give up, I did a lot of work in myself so I was stronger than the others. FP 1 and 2 I had a really good rhythm so I wasn’t going to have a problem in the corners and I was focusing on holding them.
“On the last lap, they were still a second ahead and I did the first corner and the chicane the fastest I’ve ever done in my life. I got to the corner and I think in turn 6, Brian got to me and that hurt my chances of winning a little bit. Because I think I was strong in the last two corners and I could easily pass.
“So I decided to go on stage. At turn 9 I saw three guys going hard on the brakes, I let them go and passed them wide on the exit to hold 3rd.
Valentin Perrone good 4th
The 16-year-old Argentine said: “Believable race, big team, a lot to go through.” “In the last lap, it was completely crazy, Marco, Carpe, Maximo. They were riding super crazy, and we all wanted to be on stage. I went inside in the second to last corner but went a little wide on the exit and was about to touch the green and Maximo caught up to me. But I was able to pass Rico before the line so it’s not that bad for the championship. I’ll try again tomorrow and try a little harder to beat the boys.
Rico Salmela finished 5th.
“The competition was very difficult,” said the 16-year-old Finn, who climbed the pole. “Now I tried to stay with the guys at the front. The pace was very good, at one moment I was thinking it was time to push but I started to lose a bit of engine power, the temperature was high and I didn’t have the push to do it. I tried to do my best. In the end it wasn’t what I wanted, but tomorrow. ..just send it.
Veda Prathama led but fell at the last corner.
“I felt better in this tournament than before at the Rookies Cup,” said the 15-year-old Indonesian. But I wasn’t lucky today in the last lap, I tried to fight for the podium. But I crashed in the second to last corner. We were all pushing too hard, I got squeezed a bit, but that was my fault as I slipped too far behind. I tried to control the slider but it went too far and I crashed. However, I feel very good and will do my best in 2 races.
