Kazuki Masaki clinched the 2017 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup in a thrilling battle at Aragon, Spain, on Saturday September 23 with one race in hand.

In an incredible penultimate race for the 2017 season, the 17-year old Japanese rider timed his attack perfectly on the final lap to flash across the line on his #39 KTM RC 250 RBR one hundredth of a second ahead of fellow countryman, Ai Ogura, with his main title rivals Aleix Viu (Spain) in third and Can Öncü (Turkey) in fifth position.

Fortunately for Kazuki that he wrapped up the Cup with race victory on Saturday, because in the weekend’s second race (September 24) the champion couldn’t miss the sliding machine of Ogura, who crashed in front of him on lap 8. Though a lap behind, Masaki showed his pedigree by remounting and then setting the fastest lap of the race.

Despite the result, Masaki said smiling, “Yes, I am glad I won the Cup yesterday, of course this can happen. I changed the bike for today, lifted the back a bit and it was better. I was very confident in the race, I really thought I could win but these things happen. I was determined to get back in the race if I could and happy to have the fastest lap.”

Kazuki, from Fukuoka, enjoys Physical Education at school, he also likes his fitness training and playing video games. His racing hero is former KTM rider and two-time MotoGPTM champion, Casey Stoner, and he plans to follow the Australian’s example. “I hope to become a MotoGP rider in the future. I really want to become successful in this division and go on to win many championships.”

KTM has always invested heavily into youth racing projects and, since 2007, teenagers from around the world know that the best way of getting a start in Grand Prix motorcycle racing is by entering the KTM-powered Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup.

The talent-nurturing series is powered by the KTM RC 250 RBR – based heavily on KTM’s RC 250 GP Moto3 machine, making the transition from Rookies to the World Championship easier. Following seven European rounds of the MotoGPTM championship, the races produced by this youth class are equally as thrilling as each of World Championship series they support.

In 2017, 25 riders from 13 nations were represented and they are studied closely by the Grand Prix paddock, who watch the intense action of the Rookies races picking out future stars.

Graduates from the series have gone on to battle in Moto3, Moto2 and now MotoGP. In 2015, the Moto3 and Moto2 World Champions, Danny Kent and Johann Zarco, were both ex-Rookies and Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 rider and the 2016 Moto3 champion, Brad Binder, is also a product of the Rookies Cup. With KTM now represented in all Grand Prix classes, it is possible for a Rookies Cup rider to go all the way to MotoGP with KTM.

Original Source[ KTM ]

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