World Championship beckons for Fagerhaug

Sturla Fagerhaug will race for Ongetta Team I.S.P.A. in the 125cc class next year after signing a one-year deal with the Italian-based squad.

The 18 year-old, who finished runner-up in this year’s Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, will join another Academy graduate in Jonas Folger, who rode for Ongetta in 2009 and secured the Rookie of the Year award in his first full season in the 125cc World Championship.

Fagerhaug, who experienced four World Championship races as a wildcard entry in the 2009 season, first started discussing the opportunity of making the step up with Ongetta boss Fiorenzo Caponera during the Estoril weekend.

“We were talking with them in Estoril where we had a meeting and they were interested, but none of us really had the economic means to make the deal possible,” explained Fagerhaug. “Then I found some more sponsors in Norway and I think the team found some more sponsors too, so they made us a good offer and we went down to sign with them.”

“I’m not sure when we will have the first test with my Aprilia RSW yet, but I will move down to Italy in January for motocross training and supermotard with the team.”

Folger played a role in Fagerhaug’s deal as well, encouraging his team to take a look at the talented Norwegian.

“I was talking to Jonas all through the season, we’re good friends, and he is actually the one who was pushing the team and asking them to talk with me,” said Fagerhaug. “So he helped me get in contact with the team.”

The experience of the Red Bull Rookies Cup and his World Championship wildcard rides in France, Catalunya, Portugal and Valencia will help with the transition, said Fagerhaug.

“The Red Bull Rookies Cup is the main reason why I’m even in the World Championship, it’s been such a big help,” he said. “I’ve been there for the three years it’s been going on, and I’ve learned so much. I’ve also been learning a few of the GP circuits, so that’s going to help me. The step up to the World Championship class is a big one, so I’m going to have to learn a lot more to do well there.”