Nakagami takes first European victory

Whilst the MotoGP riders were taking to the track at Motegi last weekend, a potential future Japanese star was gaining his first triumph on European soil. Takaaki Nakagami, one of this years participants in the Red Bull MotoGP Academy programme, took his maiden victory in Valencia, Spain, as part of the Campeonato de Catalunya de Velocidad.

Nakagami started from pole in the race, and broke away early from the rest of the field. Increasing his advantage with the passing laps, he eventually finished a full 17 seconds ahead of second placed Luke Mossey. Fellow Academy alumnus Jonas Folger completed the podium.

The Red Bull MotoGP Academy debuted two new members at the race. French rider Steven Le Coquen and American 125cc Champion Patrick Jacobsen were making their maiden outings for the youth initiative, and will now undertake further races under the Academy banner.