The various incarnations of the Red Bull MotoGP Academy have seen some of the shining lights of the 125cc grid pass through their ranks, with Bradley Smith, Scott Redding, Danny Webb and Takaaki Nakagami all competing in the lower cylinder category in 2008.

One of the mentors of the youth initiative is former rider Raul Jara, a man proud to see the Academy graduates embark on the challenge of the world stage.

“I´m so happy to see the boys coming through. Normally it´s fantastic working with them, because they want to have a future like Rossi, Pedrosa and Lorenzo”, says Jara. “When you see them coming into the World Championship it´s so nice for us. When they are in the Spanish Championship it´s great, but when you can see the results of your work pay off and they enter the World Championship its brilliant.”

“The Academy is a big opportunity for young riders. They know that they are here to learn, but like all riders they want to be at the top of the game.”

The current line-up of the Red Bull MotoGP Academy undertake their first test of the year at the Montmelo circuit in Catalunya on Tuesday, in preparation for the CEV Buckler Smanish Championship season.

DORNA / CAPSIS International