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AUSTRIAN LUKAS TRAUTMANN STEALS WIN IN RED BULL ROOKIES RACE

published at 11.06.2011

Lukas Trautmann of Austria emerged victorious from a pack of eager young riders to take victory on Saturday in the first of two Red Bull Rookies races on the Silverstone Circuit in the UK.

The race, held in difficult and wet conditions looked a foregone conclusion right up to the final three laps then the whole scenario changed producing a classic Rookies nail biter finish with five riders going for the win. Ivo Lopes of Portugal was second at the checkered flag and Kevin Argino of Italy took the minor placing.

Lorenzo Baldassarri of Italy had made a near perfect start to the race and looked a sure winner when the 12-lap race was almost done. Then out of the blue it was not just one rider tackling the leader but a typical hungry pack. With the track drying in parts it quickly became clear that Baldassarri was no longer the fastest around the traditional UK circuit. Suddenly it was Hafiq Azmi who was in the running for a podium place, closely followed by Trautmann, Lopes and Argino, while pole man Alan Techer was shut out of the action.

But in the battle of the lead it was Trautmann who prevailed making the break at just the right moment and managing to shake the others off his tail to deprive them of the slipstream. “It was a really great race, so much fun,” Trautmann said. “Also so difficult, tricky conditions that changed all the time. At the start it was all wet but then there started to be a few dry patches and in some corners a dry line. Then you had to be so careful if you got off the dry line.”

“On the last lap I never imagined it was possible to win, I was in front but then four guys passed me down the straight and I thought, 'no it can't end like this,' into the corner off the straight I just braked so late and managed to come out in front. Incredible, I can't believe it.”

Baldassarri finally finished fourth and Azmi fifth and while deprived of podium glory, both picked up valuable championship points.

The Rookies, who all ride identical KTM 125 RR bikes, race again tomorrow Sunday at Silverstone.

Red Bull Rookies Race One (Race Two Sunday) at Silverstone U.K.
All riders on KTM 125 RR machines

1, Lukas Trautmann, Austria
2, Ivo Lopez, Spain
3, Kevin Argino, Italy
4, Lorenzo Baldassarri, Italy
5, Hafiq Azmi, Malaysia

Standings
1, Arthur Sissis, Australia, 87
2, Lorenzo Baldassarri, Italy, 66
3, Alan Techer, France, 52
4, Lukas Trautmann, Austria, 47
5, Brad Binder, South Africa, 46