OETTL WINS OUT IN TOUGH MULTI RIDER BATTLE FOR RED BULL ROOKIES CUP WIN
published at 17.06.2012 / created by Marcia Hill
Germany’s Philipp Oettl applied the experience he has garnered in two full seasons as a Red Bull Rookies Cup to pull off a sensational win over a 14 man battle to the line in the Rookies Cup at Silverstone on Sunday.
He crossed the line ahead of Scott Deroue of Netherlands and Czech rider Karel Hanika in the British Grand Prix after just the kind of fierce competition that has made the races so exciting.
There was no predicting what may happen or who would prevail as the pack screamed toward the final stage in a tightly packed group that had spectators on their toes. But Oettl judged it perfectly to pull off the win following fellow German Florian Alt’s win in Saturday’s race on the British circuit.
The win gave Oettl the Cup points lead with 89 ahead of Deroue on 87 and Alt on 83.
On Sunday Alt had to settle for fourth but he remained a strong contender for the podium right up to the last seconds. He finished fourth ahead of Ivo Lopes, Bradley Ray and Lorenzo Baldassarri in a race in which and any one of the 14 at the front could have been on the podium.
Philipp Oettl: “I knew that it would all come down to the last few corners, the left right chicane and onto the start and finish. I practiced doing them perfectly and I knew that if I did that I could win it. That is what I managed on the final lap and it worked out.”
It was another stunning ride by Scott Deroue who came from nowhere with two laps to go “It was just so tough in there, all the guys trying so hard, very exciting but very difficult to try and get to the front. Then on the last lap I just managed to pick up the right slipstream and passed a load of guys coming down the straight and up to the front, then it was just about late braking and holding on to second,” the Dutch rider said.
Hanika was twice on the podium at the previous round in Estoril but today was not able to convert his pole position into a win. Florian Alt said he was not too disappointed and had made some mistakes in the final laps. “The win yesterday was great and the other good thing is that it is the first time this year that I have scored points in both races."
Races 6 and 7 (of 15) in the Red Bull Rookies Cup season are at the Dutch TT at Assen on June 29 and 30th.
Results Red Bull Rookies Cup Silverstone – Race 2
All riders on KTM 125 RR machines
1. Philipp Oettl (D)
2. Scott Deroue (NL)
3. Karel Hanika (CZ)
4. Florian Alt (D)
5. Kyle Ryde (GB)
Standings Red Bull Rookies Cup after 6 of 15 races
1. Oettl, 89 points
2. Deroue, 87
3. Alt, 86
4. Ryde, 65
5. Lorenzo Baldassarri (I), 54
Podium Race 2 at Silverstone: (from left) Scott Deroue, Philipp Öttl and Karel Hanika
Philipp Öttl makes the break and takes the flag
Rookies deliver tight race at Silverstone