Tough day at the office for O’Gorman in Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup action at Jerez
BY GILES SPENCER
giles@slpmedia.co.uk
Erith teenager, Casey O’Gorman didn’t get the results he was hoping for, finishing twice off the podium during round two of the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup at Jerez in Spain, last weekend.
The 15 year old qualified his 250cc KTM on the back of the third row in ninth 0.792 seconds off pole man Max Quiles.
In Saturday’s race, O’Gorman made a good start, lifting the front wheel off the line and gaining a place by the end of the first lap of 14.
By mid race a break away group of six riders, headed by Quiles and Angel Piqueras had formed with O’Gorman sitting pretty at the back, a good distance from the chasing pack.
An ill-fated attempt at a pass on South African Ruche Moodley dropped the youngster back a few yards and in an effort to catch up, O’Gorman nearly crashed coming out of a corner allowing the chasing pack to swallow him up.
Despite fighting back, O’Gorman could do no better than tenth at the flag, 8.599 seconds behind winner Piqueras.
Making amends for Saturday O’Gorman cut through the pack to move into fifth by the end of Sunday’s opening lap but there was work to do as the top three had already pulled a gap.
Four laps in and O’Gorman seemed to be struggling to match the early pace as he dropped back into the chasing pack.
Mid race and the top four had checked out but the battle for the top ten had really heated up behind them with O’Gorman nicely planted in the middle of them.
Against all odds, with five laps to go the freight train at the front was a ten man battle for the win with O’Gorman sitting in seventh.
Only three laps left and O’Gorman made a move up to sixth but the top three had made a break making it very difficult for him to close the gap.
Last lap and the podium had gone but worse was to happen as Australian Jacab Roulstone knocked O’Gorman back to seventh by the chequered flag, 2.843 seconds off the win by Quiles.
“Another hard but enjoyable race.” O’Gorman said, “I gave it everything, now happy to be heading to Le Mans for the next round.”
O’Gorman has moved up to fifth in the championship on 47 points behind leader Piqueras on 95.
Round three will be held at Le Mans in France over the 13-14th May.
Photos: Red Bull Rookies Cup
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