Two dozen young riders enjoyed the sun of southern Spain as the first
Red Bull MotoGP Rookies test of 2008 took place at
Jerez, with Britain's Matthew Hoyle coming out on top over 25-26 February.
Starting its second year, the Cup series retains ten riders from last year, and adds 14 new teenagers to create a truly global event, with competitors coming from as far afield as South Africa, Australia, America and Japan as well as across Europe. For many, the test was a return to the track for the first time for months, but all were thrilled to be back in action. Hoyle emerged fastest, ahead of Spaniards Luis Salom and Cristian Trabalon, with Sturla Fagerhaug of Norway posting the fourth best time.
For the old hands like 16-year old Hoyle, there was nothing new about the circuit or the bike, but he still admitted to being happy at getting back on track having finished third in the Cup standings last season and returning as the highest-placed finisher from 2007.
It is just great to be riding again, I have been waiting all winter for this," he smiled, his mood buoyed further by his front-running pace.
Salom proved that he will be another of the second-year riders worth watching, last year's Assen winner also admitting that it had been a long winter.
At home in Mallorca, there is just nowhere to ride," the 16-year old revealed, "It was so great to be back on the bike again and I just felt right at home immediately. I wasn't pushing it, just relaxed, it felt great from the start.
Fellow countryman Trabalon also returns to the series for a second year, and will look to bounce back from an injury which ruined the end of last season.
I started the off-season with my right arm in plaster for about a month after I broke my wrist testing in Valencia after the GP last year," the 15-year old said, "I just had a bit of a go on a supermotard bike in the off-season, so it was great to be back on the KTM again.
Fagerhaug, meanwhile, admitted that he still has some way to go before he is in full race shape for the season proper.
I need to do some training and get more strength in my arms," the Norwegian revealed, "I guess it is the time off the bike during the winter and I'm going to work on that. Otherwise, it all went well, it was great to be back on the bike.
