We already heard from Hank Vossberg and Ella Dreher about the awesome experience they had in Spain at both the Aspar KSB Sports Academy in Valencia and the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Selection Event in Guadix, but they were just two of the seven MotoAmerica riders who made it through the first cutdown and competed on the final day of the Selection Event.
Here is what the rest of the riders had to say:
Mikey Lou Sanchez:
“It was a good experience. I had a great time, and I’m glad I was invited, even though I was not chosen this year. I’m going to keep working, I hope to be invited to try out again next year. I’m going to focus on getting the best results I can to finish out this year in the European Talent Cup.”
Joshua Raymond Jr.:
“When you have over 100 of the fastest kids in the world competing for only 8 open spots, it really makes everyone up their game. The Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Selection Event is a great time. I improved with every lap, and I made it to the final day, which is a huge accomplishment.”
Mahdi Salem:
“Made it all the way to the final day and left it all on track. Didn’t get the spot this first year, but I’m proud of how far I’ve come, and this is just the beginning. Congrats to my friends Travis Borg (Malta) and Afonso Almeida (Portugal) for making it into the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup.”
Kensei Matsudaira:
“Trying out for the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup was a great experience, even though I wasn’t one of the selected riders this year. I’ve raced with many of those who were selected, and they were simply on another level. I know where I need to be next year, but honestly nothing really changes for me since the goal has always been to be able to fight for wins and championships at the highest level in Europe. I’ll be continuing to train here in Spain until the end of the year and finishing the season with my last race in the European Talent Cup at Valencia where, hopefully, I’ll be able to take another step forward toward my goals.
“Big thank you to MotoAmerica, Wayne Rainey, Chuck Aksland, and Roadracing World for supporting me in my journey from the US. It was an honor to be one of the riders representing the U.S. at the Rookies Cup Selection Event, and I’m looking forward to doing the same at the FIM MiniGP World Final coming up in November at Valencia.”
Bodie Paige:
“That’s a wrap on the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Selection Event. I want to thank all of them for this amazing experience and opportunity. I am very happy to have made it through to the final day and my performance over the last two days. I will take the positives away and come back hope to come back even stronger next year.
“Congratulations to my fellow Australian compatriot Archie Schmidt and all the other successful riders for being selected for the 2026 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup season.
“It’s time to get back to work. Next stop, the U.S.!”
