Red Bull Road to Rookies Cup brings the best of MotoGP to India!

Aras Gibieza and Rajini Krishnan racing at the Red Bull Road to Rookies Cup

Defining a brand new category within the sport in India, the Red Bull Road to Rookies Cup gives young motorsport athletes a chance to represent the country in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Qualifiers, for the first time ever

Mumbai, May 05, 2016: Young biking enthusiasts, between 13 and 17 years of age, will now have a chance to showcase their prowess on an international stage, with the Red Bull Road to Rookies Cup – a project that not only defines a new category in the sport in India but also gives the best motorcycle racer in the country a chance to be a part of the internationally acclaimed Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup 2016!

Rajini Krishnan and Aras Gibieza addresing the press conference

The Red Bull Road to Rookies Cup was announced on 4th May 2016 by Malaysian Super Series Champion and Chennai-based motorcycle racer Rajini Krishnan, together with Lithuanian stunt-rider and two-time European stunt-riding Champion Aras Gibieza, after a round of intense race between the two at the ECR Speedway track in Chennai.

Rajini Krishnan, who is also the mentor for the Red Bull Road to Rookies Cup, said, “Red Bull Road to Rookies Cup is going to be of huge help to the young riders. It is a first time ever that we’ll have a category for 13-17 age group in India, in this sport. This is going to help Indian racers to be a part of the MotoGP programme overall. In India all riders start after the age of 20! I myself started racing at 20 – you only get your license at 18 – unlike Spanish and Italian kids who start at the age of 5 and have dedicated schools for training. I am hopeful that Red Bull Road to Rookies Cup will change things in the motorsport scene within India!”

Aras Gibieza and Rajini Krishnan at the Red Bull Road to Rookies Cup_2

“Red Bull Road to Rookies Cup comes as a great news for the Indian racers. This is my third visit to the country in the last two years and I can comfortably say that it’s high time we had a category for this age group,” said Aras Gibieza who is currently in the country as a part of his 9-city Suzuki Gixxer Day tour.

The Red Bull Road to Rookies Cup programme will be held alongside the Suzuki Gixxer Cup tour 2016.  A first such championship for this age category, ten kids between 13 – 17 years will participate in the race and the best rider among them will represent India in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup in Spain.

Aras Gibieza and Rajini Krishnan at the Red Bull Road to Rookies Cup

The schedule for the qualifiers is as follows:

  • Round 1 – 24th, 25th and 26th June – KMS, Coimbatore
  • Round 2 – 8th, 9th and 10th July – MMRT, Chennai
  • Round 3 – August 12th, 13th and 14th, 2016 at MMRT, Chennai
  • Round 4 – September 2nd, 3rd and 4th, 2016 at MMRT, Chennai
  • Round 5 – September 30th, October 1st & 2nd, 2016 at BIC, G.Noida or October 7th, 8th and 9th, 2016 at MMRT, Chennai

About Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup: Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, since its inception in 2007 has grown into one of the most thrilling 2 wheel spectacles in the world. The Rookies Cup has released new stars into the world of Grand Prix racing, both Moto2 and Moto3 World Champions in 2015 were ex Rookies. Every year the level of competition has climbed and this year’s intake are set to raise the bar yet again for the 10th running of the Cup.