16 year old Jake Gagne took home the first win of the weekend at the Red Bull Rookies Cup at Assen.
The first race of the Red Bull Rookies Cup came down to a tight 12 riders. Gagne wasn't able to edge into the lead until the final two turns. Gagne takes his first win of the season in front of a fresh podium that included Kevin Calia and Alessio Cappella.
Season leader Daijiro Hiura, who started from the pole position, finished fifth for the day. Hiura extends his lead in the Rookies championship, as his main contenders Daniel Ruiz and Danny Kent, finished 8th and 11th for the day.
Gagne jumps into forth in the overall standings, behind Hiura, Kent, and Ruiz.
“I was in the group, it was pretty hard and there was no point in trying to lead early on, no one was getting awayAbout 5 laps to go I started to push forward, I didn't want to be too far back when it came to the end," said Gagne. "Then on the last lap I got the perfect slipstream into the lead and just had it pinned through the last left down to the chicane.”
Calia and Cappella each enjoyed their first podium finish of the season, but both were eager to improve during tomorrow's race.
"2nd is great but I want to do one better tomorrow,” said Calia.
Red Bull Rookies Cup - Assen - Race 1 Results
1. Jacob Gagne (USA) 29 minutes 10.553 seconds (149.449 kph)
2. Kevin Calia (ITA) +0.078
3. Alessio Cappella (ITA) +0.124
4. Harry Stafford (GBR) +0.296
5. Daijiro Hiura (JPN) +0.371
6. Arthur Sissis (AUS) +0.497
. Brad Binder (RSA) +0.723
8. Daniel Ruiz (ESP) Red +0.887
9. Taylor Mackenzie (GBR) +1.091
10. Alexander Kristiansson (SWE) +2.460
