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RED BULL ROOKIE BALDASSARRI TRIUMPHS ON WET SILVERSTONE CIRCUIT

published at 12.06.2011

Lorenzo Baldassarri of Italy rode a near faultless race in treacherous wet conditions on Sunday to steal an impressive victory in the second of two Red Bull Rookie races held on the British circuit this weekend.

The 14-year old rider finished 11 seconds ahead of Austrian Lukas Trautmann, who won Saturday’s race and is now just five points behind championship leader Arthur Sissis of Australia.

Frenchman Alan Techer who started from pole position, finished third. It was the first time that the Red Bull Rookies has visited the British circuit and it was a weekend that shook up the standing order. Sissis, who has been in the forefront of the competition was only able to finish in sixth spot and declared it his worst ever weekend in his 3-seasons in the competition, saying he had to forget it and move on.

Baldassarri, who finished second on Saturday, was delighted with his result. “It was a great race, I made a good start and I immediately found a good feeling. I was very comfortable going at that speed and I only had a slide on the first lap when I ran on the grass, after that everything was OK. I looked behind and could see Lukas there but I was not worried, I was getting cold and wet but I knew I could win if I didn't make any mistakes.”

Trautmann was also pleased with his second place, saying “The start was good and when I saw Lorenzo have his big slide on the first lap I was able to catch him. But that was also a warning about how easy it was to make a mistake in these slippery conditions and I really didn't want to make a mistake. He was so fast in a couple of sections that I realized it was not possible to go with him and I was happy with second.”

Pole sitter Techer had been disappointed with sixth on Saturday but was pleased to be on the podium.

Riders have now absolved 6 of the 14 races on the 2011 calendar so the championship remains wide open. They will reconvene on the Dutch circuit of Assen in two weeks time. All Red Bull Rookies ride identical KTM 125 RR machines.

Results
1, Lorenzo Baldassarri, Italy
2, Lukas Trautmann, Austria
3, Alan Techer, France
4, Ivo Lopez, Spain
5, Xavier Pinsach, Spain

Championship standings
1, Arthur Sissis, Australia, 96
2, Lorenzo Baldassarri Italy, 91
3, Alan Techner, France, 68
4, Lukas Trautmann, Austria, 67
5, Ivo lopes, Spain, 51