Red Bull Rookies/Sachsenring: Ogiwara comes out on top, Kratochwil fourth

The hearts of the fans around the Sachsenring – at least the German ones – were probably beating a little faster ahead of the first race of the Red Bull Rookies Cup on Saturday afternoon. After all, Fynn Kratochwil, the only German competitor in the junior class, was on pole position. The 15-year-old from Thuringia has kept his cool so far at his home race. But the Rookies races, in which everyone competes on identical KTMs, have a life of their own.

Alongside Kratochwil, Kiattisak Singhapong from Thailand and Kindra Ramadhipa from India bring a touch of the Far East to the line-up. Conditions around the Sachsenring were excellent ahead of the first race, and numerous fans had decided to stay on after the senior riders’ practice session. Nineteen thrilling laps lay ahead for fans and riders alike.

Numerous retirements

All the riders got through the first few corners well after the start. For the Frenchman Guillem Planques, however, it was all over as early as the first lap when he came to a rough halt in the gravel and subsequently trudged away, clearly disappointed. Luca Agostinelli suffered a similar fate, clutching his arm as he made his way through the gravel trap. Kerman Tinez also came unstuck.

At the front, following the initial manoeuvres, Japan’s Ryota Ogiwara had taken the lead, closely followed by Ramadhipa and the American Kristian Daniels. Kratochwil was in fifth place after a good start. Daniels crashed on the fifth lap, right in front of Kratochwil, who consequently moved up to fourth place. The Spaniard David Gonzalez had meanwhile taken the lead, but the field was bunched up tightly, as is usual in the Red Bull Rookies Cup.

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Foto: Thomas Seidenglanz

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After 12 laps, it was Benat Fernandez’s turn to go down – a rider who had otherwise been a safe bet for a podium finish and who thus suffered a significant setback in the title race. Tibor Varga also came unstuck after a collision with a rival, who in turn had bumped into Fernandez. Varga’s exhaust was ruined and he headed for the pits in frustration.

As always, a thrilling finale

With nine laps to go, Kindra Ramadhipa led the field, only to be overtaken shortly afterwards by Carlos Cano. Kratochwil, as usual, stayed in the background and let the others at the front battle it out. All the riders were separated by just a few centimetres. Even with the best will in the world, it was impossible to pick out a favourite for victory from that chaotic pack. Kratochwil had meanwhile moved up to fourth place in position for the final stages.

The top four managed to build up a small lead over the rest of the chasing pack. Ogiwara, Yarolsav Karpushin, Gonzalez and Kratochwil were set to battle it out amongst themselves for victory. But the chasing pack refused to be truly shaken off. On the final lap, Kratochwil moved up into second place. In the scramble at the end of the Waterfall, Ogiwara secured victory. Second place went to David Gonzalez. Third place was claimed by Kiattisak Singhapong. Fynn Kratochwil had to settle for fourth place. On Sunday, the teenagers will have their next chance to score points and win trophies.