Editorial Note: American Christian Daniels Jr. finished ninth in Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Race One at Misano on Saturday.
For the RSM RookiesCup RAC1 session
More, from the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup press release:
Uriarte snatched the Ruckus point from Carpe with the impressive Misano victory
Brian Uriarte took both the win and the title lead in Race 1 in the final round at Misano. The 16-year-old Spaniard leads the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup 2024 final race tomorrow morning by two points ahead of long-time rival Alvaro Carpe.
Second pole man Valentin Perrone and Argentinian 16-year-old Hakim Danish finished just 0.26 seconds ahead of the 17-year-old Malaysian who won last week. Carpe went down the back straight on the last lap but was passed at the end. Maximo Quiles then fell in front of him and Carpe finished 6th.
Uriarte’s simple solution
The plan was to take care of the tires, not let the rear end suffer too much and leave nothing for the last lap.
“I think I did my best. I was going through the race and enjoying every corner because tomorrow will be the last race.”
Alvaro had the upper hand midway through the final round. “Yes, but I thought I could catch him. Maybe on the TV, it looks like a lot but on the bike it doesn’t look that bad. Maybe half a second you take the slider and hold the brake a little later.
Does it sound easy? “Yes, it’s easy, but not that easy,” he concluded with a hearty laugh.
Peron was protected from trouble
“It was a crazy race. At the start of the race I decided to push and then I realized the track was not perfect, not the grip we had on Friday so I decided to take it easy. When other riders passed me, I didn’t fight too much and just followed.”
“At the end I saw Pini, Maximo, and Brian, the whole team going super crazy. Calm down and think about the championship, I told myself. Then at the end of the last lap, it all happened in front of me.
“I saw Maximo going into the corner a bit crazy, a bit wide and he was on the wrong line when he opened the gas. I saw that, I opened the line and got away, so I could get P2. It’s great to be P3 in the Cup so I’ll enjoy the race tomorrow, try to win but have fun. “
Denmark did slowly
“It was a tough, tough race for me today. At the beginning I was a bit behind and losing the group a little bit but I kept my focus and energy and followed the front group and tried to catch them.
“I caught them a bit and eventually got into the lead group. In the last round, I tried to win, but it was a bit difficult. Anyway, I finished P3 and I have to thank my family and everyone who supported me and tomorrow we have another race. So I wish you luck and I will enjoy the race and do my best to win.
Carpe knows he can win
“I’m not happy today because I can win or at least get a podium,” said the 17-year-old Spaniard. “But Maximo crashed in front of me. I know it’s not his fault, and it’s not mine. I was looking for the fifth win and the trophy point today.
“Now Brian is leading and tomorrow I have to win or at least be on the podium with my back to win the title. I know it will be difficult, I will try my best.”
“The bike was good, I was fast and leading, I knew I could win.”
