Brazil won out in the first WINDTRE Rising Stars Series regional final as gusta deservedly won the Americas heat, booking himself a place in the MotoGP™ eSport Draft Selection in 2021!
A new initiative for 2020, the WINDTRE Rising Stars Series is a new talent-spotting programme which required young hopefuls from around the world to tackle four Online Challenges in which Gamers are divided into three categories, depending on their location. These three are the Americas (North and South), Europe and Africa, and finally Asia and Oceania.
Eleven of the fastest young gamers from the Americas (North and South) faced off for an eight-lap thriller around the ultra-demanding Circuit of the Americas for the first of the three regional finals. Each represented a current MotoGP team, adding a degree of prestige to each of the eleven hopefuls.
The race was broadcast live on MotoGP™ eSport YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, on MotoGP™ social channels, esport.motogp.com, motogp.com and selected TV broadcast partners. motogp.com’s Jack Appleyard and Jack Gorst were on hand to provide commentary for the show.
Gusta, riding for Monster Energy Yamaha, came into the event as the pre-race favourite thanks to his stellar record in the Online Challenges, when he racked up the highest points total possible. And he soon showed why.
The Brazilian stalked Ecstar Suzuki’s Bruno83 for the first ten corners of the all-important bout before taking the lead on the track’s long back straight. Despite Argentinean Bruno83’s best efforts, gusta stood firm in the face of unrelenting pressure to come home 1.5s ahead for a famous win.
The leading duo were in a class of their own, with third place more than 12 seconds behind. The Brazilian S.Nunes, riding for Petronas SRT Yamaha, and CRISTIANRR6, representing Red Bull KTM, were initially caught up in an exciting exchange for third. Both attempted to hang onto the top two until S.Nunes crashed on lap two and CRISTIANRR6 on lap three.
But S.Nunes kept fighting and eventually climbed back to third place, a brilliant comeback all things considered. Argentina’s Nanchy was a strong fourth for Aprilia Racing Team Gresini with Brazil’s Baré fifth for Avintia Ducati. SUPERMASIA, running LCR Honda Castrol colours, was the first of the Hondas in sixth while CRISTIANRR6 eventually came home seventh.
Click here to view the Race Results and the General Standings
The stakes in the Regional Finals couldn’t be higher, with the winner in each category (Americas, Europe and Africa) receiving a guaranteed place in the MotoGP™ eSport Draft Selection in 2021. Gusta will now have plenty of time to further enhance his skills to take on the very best in the MotoGP™ eSport world next year.