After Guevara caused a huge upset in announcing his withdrawal from competition after 5 seasons in Moto3, after 90 Grands Prix and a podium, José Gutiérrez Boé (RBA BOE KTM Racing team boss) has just hired the recent winner of the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup 2017 Kazuki Masaki to replace him.
Kazuki, from Fukuoka, has double MotoGP World Champion Casey Stoner as his hero, and he intends to follow the Australian's example: “ I hope to become a MotoGP rider in the future. I really want to succeed in this category and win many championships. »
He started well by winning last year in the Rookies Cup: “It’s been a great season, full of ups and downs but I wanted to achieve my ultimate goal last year. I would like to thank the Red Bull Rookies Cup, the sponsors and my mechanics. Without their support, I would never have been able to achieve this result, thank you all.”
Masaki completed only one Grand Prix at 17, in Valencia last year on a Honda Moto3 from the Asia Talent Team led by Alberto puig. He did quite well, progressing from 25th place in FP1 to 18th in qualifying, then finally tenth in the race, which he finished 6.4 behind the winner. George Martin.
“I love motorcycle racing and every opportunity I get to ride a motorcycle is an incredible experience for me. I appreciate the chances I have had to achieve my dreams and I will continue to do my best in every race. »
“Although I was not born into a racing family, my father was interested in MotoGP and he introduced me to racing at the age of 3. It has been an integral part of my career since I started running. He inspires me to do my best every time I get on a motorcycle to race. »
Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup 2017 final standings after 13 races:
- Kazuki Masaki (JAP), 194 points (2017 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion)
- Alex Viu (ESP), 183
- Can Öncü (TUR), 165
- Deniz Öncü (TUR), 135
- Ai Ogura (JAP), 124
All Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup champions:
2007 Johann Zarco 159 points, 57 ahead of Lorenzo Savadori
2008 JD Beach 149 points, 4 ahead of Luis Salom
2009 Jakub Kornfeil 132 points, 2 ahead of Sturla Fagerhaug
2010 Jacob Gagne wins 170 points, 6 ahead of Danny Kent
2011 Lorenzo Baldassarri 208 points, 9 ahead of Arthur Sissis
2012 Florian Alt 233 points, 56 ahead of Scott Deroue
2013 Karel Hanika 235 points, 72 ahead of Jorge Martín
2014 Jorge Martín 254 points, 57 ahead of Joan Mir
2015 Bo Bendsneyder 243 points, 49 ahead of Fabio Di Giannantonio
2016 Ayumu Sasaki 250 points, 49 ahead of Alex Viu
2017 Kazuki Masaki 194 points, 11 ahead of Alex Viu
Photos © Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup
source: speedweek,
