American Jake Gagne takes Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup title

American Jake Gagne won the 2010 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup title by finishing second to Briton Danny Kent in a fantastic final race at the Misano circuit in Italy. In winning four out of the last seven races, Gagne came into the final race with an 11-point lead over Kent, and only needed to finish third at Misano to clinch the championship. Despite the fact that he only qualified on the back of the third row (while Kent was on pole), Gagne quickly nullified that disadvantage by slotting up into fifth place at the start and finishing the first lap in fourth, while the 16-year-old Kent led up front.

It was an incredible win after a tough weekend for Gagne, whose engine stopped in the first qualifying session, meaning that he had to go out on an unfamiliar spare bike for second session. “It just didn't feel right and I couldn't do better than 10th in the second session. They put a good engine in my bike for the race and that was a lot better. I wasn't too worried I was pretty sure that if I made a good start I could run with the guys and do what I needed to take the Cup.”

It could have easily turned out much differently if any of the front group got tangled together, as was demonstrated when Hook highsided on lap 8 and 15-year-old South African Binder fell swerving to avoid him. They were just behind the lead trio at the time, luckily neither were hurt, but both were out of the race.