Fagerhaug wins second race in Brno; Beach secures Cup victory

2008-08-17 09:49
Sturla Fagerhaug and Matthew Hoyle battled it out on the Brno racing circuit for a one-two in the final race of the season in the 2008 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup and with Luis Salom in third the title went to non-finishing American JD Beach.

Fagerhaug, the 16-year-old Norwegian shot away from the line just behind pole sitter Mathew Scholtz and quickly took the lead while 17-year-old Briton Hoyle, who holds the Brno lap record holder, gave chase. Salom started at the back of the grid but put in a spirited bid for the title he had been favoured to take right up to the last race. The Spaniard, who dominated the first half of the season was in a battle for the title with Beach. After crashing out on Saturday in the first of two races at the Czech circuit, Luis rode from the back of the grid into ninth place in the first lap and one lap later had only the two leaders in his sights.

Beach unlucky in early stages
Beach thought his bid was over when his bike gave out in the fourth lap leaving Salom needing second place to take the title. But Fagerhaug and Hoyle went out hard and fast and gave no ground so Salom had to settle for third in the race and second in the Cup.
"I was mad but I know stuff like that happens," Beach said. "I thought for sure I'd lost the Cup."
Meanwhile Hoyle was the fastest man on the track and took the lead on lap seven of 13. "It wasn't easy to catch Sturla," said Hoyle. "I really had to push for it but I love this track and as it's the last race of the season I didn't want to come away second."

Last gasp dash by Fagerhaug
Fagerhaug said he knew it would come down to the last lap and he waited to make his move. "I had the plan to pass him at the end of the front straight going onto the last lap and that's what I did. I knew that I was pretty good on the brakes into the last corners, so I was happy to lead," said the Norwegian "He came past me up the inside into the last left hander but then ran wide, I looked over and I knew that I could get him back at the right so I did."

Salmon disappointed; Beach celebrates
Salom was understandably disappointed after the season that had seen him top the podium four times. Beach, on the other hand was ecstatic with the result in only his second season of racing, admitting that it had been difficult in the first half of the season. "I really struggled through those first races just not being able to brake as well as I needed. The braking has got a lot better but still needs a lot of improvement. I know I've still got a long way to go but the Rookies Cup has made a road racer out of a dirt tracker.

All of the young riders competed on identical KTM 125 cc bikes, especially developed for the competition.

Results Race Two
1. Sturla Fagerhaug, Norway, 29:16.596
2. Matthew Hoyle, Britain, 29:16.932
3. Luis Salom, Spain, 29:38.003
4. Nelsom Major, fRance, 29:40.906
5. Florian Marino, France, 29:42.673

Final Cup Standings
1. JD Beach, USA, 149
2. Luis Salom, Spain, 145
3. Sturla Fagerhaug, Norway, 142
4. Daijiro Hiura, Japan, 108
5. Nelson Major, France, 92

Source: KTM-Sportmotorcycle AG

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