About Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup
01
What’s the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup?
For the 26 Rookies, the first chance to ride the KTMs in 2026 comes at the preseason test held at Jerez with three days on track. Riders come from across the globe, from Venezuela and Kyrgyzstan, from America and the Philippines, Italy and Indonesia. The history of the Cup has represented 44 nations.
As we watch in awe, these youngsters putting on outstanding displays of skill and determination that belie their teenage years, be sure that the Grand Prix team managers are all studying very closely to see who their next star may be.
Equally, the Rookies watch the GPs, following the alumni who have gone before them, World Champions like Brad Binder, Pedro Acosta, Miguel Oliveira and the rest who now pack the grids in the GP classes. For 8 of the last 10 seasons, the Moto3 World Champion has been an ex-Rookie and in 2024 ex Rookies won all three World Titles.
02
Legacy
- MotoGP – Jorge Martín – Class of 2014
- Moto2 –Ai Ogura – Class of 2017
- Moto3 –David Alonso – Class of 2021
Johann Zarco, our first Rookies champion and twice Moto2 World Champion, continues his incredible MotoGP campaign. Every year the level of competition has increased and this year's intake is set to raise the bar yet again for the 19th running of the Cup.
Starting in Spain at Jerez in April, the series takes a broad sweep around the classic Grand Prix circuits of Europe ending the year at the Red Bull Ring, Austria in September.
Get to know our SPECIAL ALUMNI
03
The Bike
This is the 14th season with the Moto3 specification KTM RC 250 R 4-stroke as we switched in 2013 from the 2-stroke KTM RC 125 that had powered the Rookies for the first 6 seasons.
Just as the RC 125 was a close brother to the 125cc GP machines raced by the KTM factory so successfully, the RC 250 R is a reflection of the factory KTM Moto3 machine. It was the start of another great lineage, the factory KTMs and their twin brother GasGas machines have won numerous GPs and World Championships including the 2022 title in the hands of ex-Rookie Izan Guevara.
All details about THE BIKE
The Team
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Peter Clifford
Director of Rider development & media -
Gustl Auinger
Rider Coach -
Dani Ribalta
Rider Coach