Wednesday, January 27, 2021
MCNews
  • NEWSLatest
  • REVIEWS
  • LATEST BIKES
  • RACING
  • FEATURES
  • TOURING
  • MEDIA
    • GALLERY
  • MORE
    • POPULAR ARTICLES
    • MCNEWS COMMENTS
    • MAIN FORUM
    • CONTACT US
    • ABOUT US
No Result
View All Result
MCNews
  • NEWSLatest
  • REVIEWS
  • LATEST BIKES
  • RACING
  • FEATURES
  • TOURING
  • MEDIA
    • GALLERY
  • MORE
    • POPULAR ARTICLES
    • MCNEWS COMMENTS
    • MAIN FORUM
    • CONTACT US
    • ABOUT US
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
MCNews

Acosta wins 2020 MotoGP Rookies Cup | Van Eerde back on podium

Salvador and Holgado share race wins

Motorcycle News by Motorcycle News
November 9, 2020
in MotoGP
Home Motorcycle News Motorcycle Racing MotoGP
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare

2020 MotoGP Rookies Cup – Valencia

Images by Gold and Goose Photography/Red Bull Content Pool


Pedro Acosta has clinched the 2020 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup in Valencia, a round early, with even a crash in Race 1 and no points earnt, not enough to slow his championship efforts.

Pedro Acosta

David Salvador took the Race 1 win from Mario Aji and Australian Billy van Eerde after Alonso, Acosta and Holgado all went down in the lead.

Race 2 saw Daniel Holgado take the win from Acosta and David Munoz, Holgado’s first victory, but second was enough for Acosta to claim the title with a 59-point lead, with only 50-points left to earn at the final round. Unfortunately van Eerde crashed out of Race 2 early on, although he now sits 10th in the overall standings.

Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup

Acosta holds the title with 196-points, while David Alonso is second on 137, with Ivan Ortola third on 124. Holgado and Salvador are fourth and fifth, with plenty of opportunity in the remaining two races for riders to prove themselves, and grab a podium position.


Qualifying

Pedro Acosta put himself in pole position for the home stretch in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup. The 16-year-old Spaniard has a handsome points lead but is not slacking off in Valencia. Just 0.067 seconds slower, Daniel Holgado is determined to put him under pressure as is David Salvador who makes it an all Spanish front row of KTM RC 250 Rs.

Mario Aji

Breaking the home country dominance is Mario Aji, the 16-year-old Indonesian, who heads Row 2 after the track dried from the wet free sessions leaving just a few damp patches for Qualifying.  Billy van Eerde meanwhile qualified 14th, after coming to terms with changing conditions, 1.174-seconds off the fastest pace.

Billy van Eerde

“Friday started off wet and cold so FP1 and FP2 were completely wet. Took it easy as it was my first ride back from braking my hand. Qualifying it ended up being dry with a few wet patches here and there. Since it was the first ‘dry’ session of the weekend I was a bit lost at the beginning and took a while to find braking markers and what gears to use and with a short session I ended up 14th on the grid.”

Billy van Eerde

Race 1

David Salvador took victory by 15-seconds over Mario Aji and Billy van Eerde in the opening race of the weekend, but only after three of the leading quartet crashed out when David Alonso moved onto a damp patch to avoid Salvador’s rear wheel, highsided and both Pedro Acosta and Daniel Holgado went down with him.

David Salvador

The drying track held a good number of damp patches through the 15 laps and they were not the only fallers in the difficult conditions. None of the top three in the championship chase finished and Salvador’s victory propelled the 16-year-old Spaniard into fourth place in the title chase, with three races to go, including Sunday’s Race 2.

It was a welcome result for Australian Billy van Eerde to step back onto the podium, taking it easy early in the race to be ready for a late push, which proved to be a smart strategy with damp patches catching many riders out.

Billy van Eerde

“Race 1 was similar conditions to qualifying with a few more wet patches around here and there and the sun in our eyes which made it difficult to see them. Took it easy at the start then mid race got to the front of the group I was in and started to push and had some decent times for the conditions. A few crashes happened ahead of me and I ended up finishing on the podium in third which was a nice surprise. It has been such a difficult year with injuries and it’s great to be back. By the end of the race my lap times were not so different to the guys at the front and it has given me a lot of confidence so I am really looking forward to the last three races starting with tomorrow.”

Billy van Eerde

Race 2

An intense three-way battle for the win was settled only at the final corner of Race 2, in favour of Daniel Holgado over Pedro Acosta and David Muñoz. It gave 15-year-old Spaniard Holgado his first Cup victory, while the 2020 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup title went to 16-year-old Acosta, despite two races being yet to run.

Pedro Acosta – 2020 MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion

“It was a really good race because after the crash yesterday I was thinking about the championship. I got a good start but David and Dani came with me and we could get away. They were both riding really well, very fast today. I was happy that it was just the three of us and then I forgot about the Cup and tried to win the race. Today, Dani was so so fast and I couldn’t win but I am happy with the championship. We didn’t have any dry practice so the bike setting wasn’t good, we can improve it for sure for next weekend but I’m not complaining, I’m happy with the race. It means so much to me to win the Rookies Cup because when I joined the Cup last year I had no other bike to ride and this has given me the chance to show what I can do.”

Pedro Acosta

It was an all Spanish podium with 14-year-old Muñoz just nine-thousandths of a second behind at the line. The Cup points aren’t that close as Acosta ended the first Valencia weekend 59 points clear of David Alonso with only 50 on offer in the finale next weekend. Alonso, the 14-year-old Colombian did put in another fine ride, taking fourth after a great fight back from his 13th place grid position.

Daniel Holgado

“I am so happy with my first victory in the Red Bull Rookies Cup. I had a really good feeling with the bike and I knew that I could race with Pedro all the way. I planned the last lap because I knew I had a good chance at the last corner and it worked out perfectly. The bike setting wasn’t perfect because we didn’t have dry practice and the rear was sliding quite a lot but I had a good feeling for it so it was OK, I could control it.”

Daniel Holgado

Billy van Eerde came together with another rider in the first lap, with four riders crashing, in a disappointing end to the Australian’s weekend, after a strong showing in Race 1.

Billy van Eerde

“Race 2 was completely dry and I was really looking forward to it. On the first lap in Turn 2 another rider and I touched and four of us ended up going down which was disappointing! Anyway I’m all good and looking forward to next weekend.”

  • Race 1
  • Race 2
  • Standings

Race 1

Race 2

Standings

Tags: 2020 MotoGP Rookies CupRed Bull Rookies 2020
Previous Post

Yuki Takahashi joins Josh Hook at F.C.C. TSR Honda

Next Post

MotoGP Riders and Team Managers reflect on Valencia GP

Motorcycle News

Motorcycle News

Related Articles

Muñoz dominates Red Bull Rookies final | Van Eerde injured

Muñoz dominates Red Bull Rookies final | Van Eerde injured

November 16, 2020
Billy Van Eerde returned to the track at the MotoGP Rookies Aragon round

Van Eerde returns from injury with 6-7 at Aragon MotoGP Rookies

October 19, 2020
Red Bull Rookies battle it out at Round 2 in Austria

Pace unrewarded for Billy van Eerde in Austria

August 24, 2020
Red Bull MotoGP Rookies back on track in Austria

P7 for Van Eerde at Red Bull Ring Rookies

August 17, 2020
Red Bull Rookies

Aussie hopefuls miss cut for Red Bull Rookies Cup

October 18, 2019
Load More
Next Post
MotoGP Riders and Team Managers reflect on Valencia GP

MotoGP Riders and Team Managers reflect on Valencia GP

WorldSBK Rnd R R Phillip Island WorldSBK Sunday ReddingGB

Updated - 2021 Australian WorldSBK round delayed

Beaton wraps up 2020 in fourth at MXGP of Garda Trentino

Beaton wraps up 2020 in fourth at MXGP of Garda Trentino

SOCIALS

  • 20.1k Fans
  • 6.6k Followers
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Yet another motorcycle museum goes up in flames

Yet another motorcycle museum goes up in flames

January 19, 2021
Benelli 752S Review | Motorcycle Test

Benelli 752S Review | Motorcycle Test

January 26, 2021
Jett Lawrence breaks through with AMA Supercross victory

Jett Lawrence breaks through with AMA Supercross victory

January 20, 2021
Moto News Weekly | Price awarded OAM | Hard Enduro | SX | AFT

New 2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS full reveal and specs

January 26, 2021
Auto Draft

We examine the 2021 offerings served up overnight by H-D

January 20, 2021
Chopper styled electric e-Moped going on sale in Australia

Chopper styled electric e-Moped going on sale in Australia

Not this one

Moto Guzzi celebrates centenary with anniversary models

Benelli 752S Review | Motorcycle Test

Benelli 752S Review | Motorcycle Test

Not this one

2022 Indian FTR line-up goes distinctly more sporting

January 27, 2021
Moto News Weekly | Price awarded OAM | Hard Enduro | SX | AFT

Moto News Weekly | Price awarded OAM | Hard Enduro | SX | AFT

January 27, 2021
Tight battles across both classes in AMA SX Rnd Three

Round Three AMA Supercross Images | Gallery B

January 27, 2021
Not this one

2021 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S | A new generation

January 27, 2021
Moto News Weekly | Price awarded OAM | Hard Enduro | SX | AFT

New 2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS full reveal and specs

January 26, 2021

SUPPORT OUR SUPPORTERS

INCASE YOU MISSED

  • All
  • Bike Reviews
  • Motorcycle Racing
  • Latest Bikes
  • Features
  • Motorcycle Gallery
  • Touring
KTM to join forces with Tech3 in 2019

KTM extend MotoGP contract with Dorna through 2026

January 14, 2021
Not this one

2022 Indian FTR line-up goes distinctly more sporting

January 27, 2021
Monster confirmed as the biggest selling Ducati model of all time

Monster confirmed as the biggest selling Ducati model of all time

January 16, 2021
Motorcycle News, Sport and Reviews

MCNEWS.COM.AU is a specialist on-line resource that provides motorcycle news for motorcyclists. MCNews covers all areas of interest for the motorcycling public including news, reviews and comprehensive racing coverage.

© 2021 MCNews

No Result
View All Result
  • NEWS
    • ALL NEWS
    • ALL NEWS CONDENSED
    • BMW News
    • Honda News
    • Husqvarna News
    • KTM News
    • Suzuki News
    • Yamaha News
    • Triumph News
    • Ducati News
    • Moto Guzzi News
    • Royal Enfield News
    • Kawasaki News
    • Aprilia News
    • Harley News
    • Indian News
    • MV Agusta News
    • Benelli News
    • Gas Gas News
    • BETA News
    • Norton News
    • Victory News
    • EBR News
    • E-Bike News
    • Scooter News
    • LAMS News
    • ATV / SSV News
  • REVIEWS
    • All Bike Reviews
    • LAMS Reviews
    • KTM Reviews
    • Honda Reviews
    • Yamaha Reviews
    • Triumph Reviews
    • BMW Reviews
    • Suzuki Reviews
    • Ducati Reviews
    • Kawasaki Reviews
    • Husqvarna Reviews
    • Aprilia Reviews
    • Benelli Reviews
    • BETA Reviews
    • CFMoto Reviews
    • E-Bike Reviews
    • EBR Reviews
    • Gas Gas Reviews
    • Harley Reviews
    • Indian Reviews
    • Kymco Reviews
    • Moto Guzzi Reviews
    • MV Agusta Reviews
    • Norton Reviews
    • Royal Enfield Reviews
    • Scooter Reviews
    • Sherco Reviews
    • Victory Reviews
  • LATEST BIKES
    • ALL LATEST BIKES NEWS
    • BMW
    • Honda
    • Husqvarna
    • KTM
    • Suzuki
    • Yamaha
    • Triumph
    • Ducati
    • Moto Guzzi
    • Royal Enfield
    • Kawasaki
    • Aprilia
    • Harley
    • Indian
    • MV Agusta
    • Benelli
    • Gas Gas
    • BETA
    • Norton
    • Victory
    • E-Bike
    • Scooters
    • LAMS
  • RACING
    • ALL RACING
    • ROAD
      • MotoGP
      • WSBK
      • ASBK
      • BSB
      • Real Road / TT
      • Historic Road Racing
      • Japan / Asian Road Racing
      • Endurance Road Racing
      • American Road Racing
      • NZ Road Racing
      • Supermoto
    • DIRT
      • Supercross
      • AMA MX
      • Australian MX
      • MXGP
      • Enduro / Rally
      • Dirt / Flat Track
      • Speedway
  • FEATURES
  • TOURING
  • GALLERY
  • LATEST COMMENTS
  • POPULAR ARTICLES
  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT US
  • COMMUNITY FORUM

© 2021 MCNews