Gagne takes Red Bull Rookies title

From KTM Racing

American Jake Gagne rode across the line in second place on the Misano circuit in San Marino on Saturday to steal the title glory from rival Danny Kent of Britain, who succeeded in winning the final race in the Red Bull Rookies 2010 series. Only Gagne and Kent were in the running for the title going into the final race.      
       
The two young riders put on a masterful show of riding and tactical skills as they went into the final round separated by 11 points. Gagne of California was in the championship lead and Kent, who took the all-or-nothing approach and landed on pole for the final scrap knew his only chance was to win the race. In a typical Red Bull Rookies dogfight, Kent did cross the line in first place but he needed Gagne to place no better than third and the Californian slipped into second going into the final curve.

Kent had gone out hard and controlled the race well, slowing down the pace from time to time to ensure that the leading bunch remained intact. He knew there were many other riders looking to go out on a high note and on the podium and he hoped that this would make it harder for Gagne to finish up the order.

But Gagne too had his tactics well under control. Although he started back at 10th on the grid after having some problems in qualifying, he had already rocketed into fourth place before the riders had completed one lap. He then stuck with the front runners, sitting at third, fourth and even second as the race progressed. Then just going into the final corner he made his move. He slipped into second place leaving no space for anyone to overtake him and coasted over the line knowing the title was his. Gagne finishes the season with four victories from the nine-race series and saw a significant improvement in form as the season progressed.

"I realized what he (Kent) was trying to do," Gagne said. "He's clever and he needed to try and get the other guys between us. I just kept my head down and knew that as long as I was close to him I had a good chance of getting the points I needed."

In the Red Bull Rookies series all riders compete on board identical KTM 125 machines. The series is designed as a stepping stone to a fully-fledged racing career and a major vehicle for grooming the road racing champions of tomorrow.

Final Race Classification
1. Danny Kent (GBR) 30 minutes 59.551 seconds (139.082)
2. Jacob Gagne (USA) +0.060
3. Daijiro Hiura (JPN) +0.401
4. Kevin Calia (ITA) +0.577
5. Daniel Ruiz (ESP) +1.006
6. Harry Stafford (GBR) +1.055
7. Alessio Cappella (ITA) +1.363
8. Niccolo Antonelli (ITA) +2.189
9. Xavier Pinsach (ESP) +2.258
10. Alan Techer (FRA) +2.753

Final Cup Standings
1. Jacob Gagne (USA) 170 points
2. Danny Kent (GBR) 164
3. Daijiro Hiura (JPN) 125
4. Daniel Ruiz (ESP) 115
5. Brad Binder (RSA) 109
6. Kevin Calia (ITA) 97
7. Harry Stafford (GBR) 79
8. Niccolo Antonelli (ITA) 56
9. Alessio Cappella (ITA) 53
10. Alexander Kristiansson (SWE) 52