20 chosen after worldwide MotoGP star search.

20 young riders have taken a big step along the road to reaching their motorcycle racing dream, after qualifying for the 2007 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup.

The 20 were chosen from 1,100 applicants, that had then been whittled down to a 165 strong 'short list' invited to take part in the final selection process - on standardised Metrakit Pre GP 125 spec bikes, at Valencia on August 28 - under the watchful eye of Spanish motorcycling legend Alberto Puig and KTM race director Harald Bartol.

The hopefuls were divided into two groups, to ride on either Monday 28th or Tuesday 29th, before 45 were invited to return on the Wednesday for the final chance to take a place amongst the lucky 20.

"First I was surprised by the multitudes of applications. When almost 200 kids and their entourage were standing in front of the pits full of expectation, I was overwhelmed," admitted Bartol. "The performances of the young riders were for the most part very promising, but most of all I'm glad that virtually no bad accidents were recorded during the three days. I believe that together we've found the best rookies for next year and that we'll see some exciting races."

"The first step has been taken - now the kids need to seize the opportunity and gain experience in this Rookies Cup, they need to learn and learn again," added Puig, who has steered the career of MotoGP star Dani Pedrosa. "This project of Dorna and Red Bull is exemplary for our sport, since the participants, but also the world champions in motorcycle racing are increasingly getting younger. So this cup certainly is an outstanding project!"

The successful 20 riders, comprising ten different nationalities, are as follows:

Lukas SEMBERA - Czech Republic
Johann ZARCO - France
Cyril CARRILLO - France
Lucy GLOECKNER - Germany
Markus REITERBERGER - Germany
Christoph SCHOENBERGER - Germany
Peter SEBESTY?N - Hungary
Lorenzo SAVADORI - Italy
Sturla Borch FAGERHAUG - Norway
Javier CHOLBI - Spain
Johnny ROSELL - Spain
Cristian TRABALON - Spain
Robert GULL - Sweden
Adam BLACKLOCK - United Kingdom
Matthew HOYLE - United Kingdom
Stuart MITCHELL - United Kingdom
Jamie Charles MOSSEY - United Kingdom
JD BEACH - United States of America
Cameron BEAUBIER - United States of America
Kris TURNER - United States of America

The 2007 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup will be contested on 45 horsepower KTM RC 125s, which have been specially developed for the rookies. The 'Cup will be run mainly on the Sunday of a grand prix weekend, immediately after the MotoGP premier class and in front of the corresponding crowds. Only in Assen and Mugello will the races will be held on a Saturday.

The following rounds are provisionally scheduled:

25 March 2007 Jerez
2 June 2007 Mugello
24 June 2007 Donington Park
30 June 2007 Assen
15 July 2007 Sachsenring
19 August 2007 Brno
4 November 2007 Valencia