Assen Race 2 final corner – Fernandez snatches Red Bull Rookies Cup victory
Red Bull Rookies Cup: Travis Borg had the crowd on their feet as he led into Assen’s final chicane. The Maltese ace felt the front of the KTM slide, then the rear slid as he grabbed a handful of throttle. Beñat Fernandez charged past for the Dutch TT win with fellow Spaniard David González alongside to take second. Borg held 3rd just ahead of Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Race 1 winner Carlos Cano, 4th.
Cup points leader Fernandez had ridden another superbly judged race and took his 3rd victory and 6th podium of the 8 races so far in this 20th season. The 18-year-old’s lead now extends to 42 points as Mugello double winner Ryota Ogiwara slid out of mid-pack on lap 8. He remounted at the back of the field, but the Japanese 17-year-old could only finish out of the points in 18th.
Borg’s race was nothing short of sensational; he started right at the back of the grid but set fastest lap after fastest lap as he cut through the field, crossing the line in the lead at the end of lap 9. The 16-year-old had been similarly quick in Race 1 but fell.
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1st – Beñat Fernandez (Spain)
“I rode to stay at the front; it was another great battle. I pushed to stay near the front. Others wanted to push me out. I pushed back to let them know I was not going to take it. On the last lap, I wanted the podium. I saw Travis slide, I thought if he crashed, he would take me with him. I don’t know how he made 3rd.”
2nd – David González (Spain)
“A great race; the first part was difficult because of some slippery patches. I was fighting in the lead 4. Then I got pushed out and back to 11th. I fought back, and in the last 3 laps, I overtook everywhere. The last lap was crazy, and I just got through the chicane for 2nd. I am happy for this.”
3rd – Travis Borg (Malta)
“After yesterday’s race, I woke up this morning determined to win. That was my mindset. I fought through all the race and was leading down to the final chicane. I lost the front a little, and then I said, Oh, No! I tried to save it, and I lost two positions to Beñat and David, but I’m still happy with P3.”
4th – Carlos Cano (Spain)
“I am happy with the weekend; I improved a lot. In the first part of the race, I pushed to try and go alone. Then I made a mistake and dropped behind. In the last lap, I overtook Beñat, but he overtook me again, and I lost the slipstream a bit coming to the finish.”
5th – Kiattisak Singhapong (Thailand)
“A big battle and so many riders fighting. Finally, I finished P5, and I’m happy. On the last lap, I went for it, totally on the limit and almost caught the podium group. I couldn’t make it, but I am happy with the way I rode, and it’s a good result.”
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