Maximo Quiles, Red Bull Rookies Cup, Portimao Test 15 March 2023 // Gold & Goose / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202303161232 // Usage for editorial use only //
Aerodynamic updates on the KTM RC 250 Rs, taking details pioneered in the KTM MotoGP program and developed for the Moto3 World Championship bikes, perhaps helped the fastest of the Rookies break the lap record.
It was not just the returning gladiators who were on the pace, scotching any notion that there is any predictability about who will be battling for this year’s Cup. That will be decided over 14 races, starting at the Portuguese Grand Prix on March 25th.
Auinger impressed
“I must be getting old,” laughed rider coach Gustl Auinger. “I am just so impressed with these guys. It was wonderful to have a Selection Event again last year after we missed a couple of years. I was hopeful that we had seen some fast riders but I was sure it would take a few races before they got up to speed.”
“In the first session yesterday you could pick out the newcomers but by the second session, they were right there, looking as strong and running as fast as the second and third-year Rookies. Then at the end of the day, they are kicking a soccer ball around together and you know we’ve got another cool group of kids.”
Ribalta sees improvement
“I’m very pleased with the test,” stated rider coach Dani Ribalta. “Firstly I am impressed that we got here, the technical staff did an amazing job preparing all the bikes, completely overhauled, refreshed engines, new mapping with a stronger bottom-end and the riders can feel the improvement.”
“Several are under the lap record and some of the new guys are already very fast. We have been a lot luckier than we were last year with the dry weather and lack of wind. It gives us a great start to the season.”
Quiles as fast as last year
Màximo Quiles was 3rd in last year’s Cup and the highest-placed rider to return. “It’s great to be back on the KTM, I really enjoy it. You can feel that the bike is a little stronger than last year, the way it pulls over the hills here and wheelies out of the corners.”
“I took it easy at the start yesterday, got used to the bike again and pushed a bit harder today with new tyres. There are a lot of fast riders, it’s always the same in Rookies Cup.”
Races
1&2 March 25-26 – Portimão (Portugal)
3&4 April 29-30 – Jerez (Spain)
5&6 May 13-14 – Le Mans (France)
7&8 June 10-11 – Mugello (Italy)
9&10 June 24-25 – Assen (Netherlands)
11&12 August 19-20 – Spielberg (Austria)
13&14 September 9-10 – Misano (Italy)
Entry List
2 Amaury Mizera (France)
5 Leo Rammerstorfer (Austria)
8 Eddie O‘Shea (Great Britain)
11 Ruché Moodley (South Africa)
12 Jacob Roulstone (Australia)
13 Hakim Danish (Malaysia)
14 Cormac Buchanan (New Zealand)
18 Angel Piqueras (Spain)
23 Rhys Stephenson (Great Britain)
25 Alexander Enriquez (United States)
27 Rico Salmela (Finland)
28 Máximo Quiles (Spain)
47 Edoardo Boggio (Italy)
50 Carter Thompson (Australia)
54 Alberto Ferrandez (Spain)
56 Kevin Farkas (Hungary)
57 Danial Shahril (Malaysia)
67 Casey O’Gorman (Ireland)
69 Marcos Ruda (Spain)
78 Jakob Rosenthaler (Austria)
81 Lorenz Luciano (Belgium)
83 Alvaro Carpe (Spain)
88 Shinya Ezawa (Japan)
93 Arbi Aditama (Indonesia)
94 Guido Pini (Italy)
95 Marco Chincolla (Argentina)
For more info checkout our dedicated Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup News page Rookies Cup News
Or visit the official Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup website rookiescup.redbull.com/
A fast Turn 5 crash was followed by an all-time lap record for the #73…
Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) got his home Grand Prix off to the…
It’s safe to say Moto3’s Friday action at the Estrella Galicia 0,0 Grand Prix of…
Revealed simultaneously at the Spanish GP in Jerez and the EICMA Riding Fest in Misano,…
Third generation of Ventura’s popular Jet-Stream EVO pack
Iconic Auctioneers will once again bring together some of the finest motorcycles of all eras…
This website uses cookies.