The puzzle is now complete. After searching for nearly three weeks for another driver, the RT Motorsports team has finally filled the last open spot: With Jakob Rosenthaler, the Dutch team is welcoming a new face to the grid—one who is by no means a stranger to the international junior circuit.
The decision wasn’t made at a desk, but on the track just a few days ago. During last week’s test at Assen, the 19-year-old Austrian impressed right away and left no doubt that he is the right man for the job. “In the end, we sealed our partnership with a handshake,” explains team manager Rob Vennegoor, who will be heading into the upcoming season with two riders in about four weeks. Rosenthaler is taking Hudson Thompson’s place and will now compete alongside Dutch rider Tom Kuil in the EURO MOTO Sportbike class. They will be racing the Triumph Daytona 660, the bike with which RT Motorsports secured the title last year.
From Supermoto to the World Championship stage
As part of the KTM youth program, the Austrian rider came into the spotlight early on: Starting in Supermoto, his path took him through the Northern Talent Cup and the Red Bull Rookies Cup all the way to the JuniorGP, where he became the first Austrian to finish on the podium. The next step wasn’t long in coming: This was followed by appearances in the Moto3 World Championship and the Supersport 300 World Championship.
Fire disaster throws career into turmoil
Right at the start of the year, however, the Rosenthaler family was dealt a sudden and devastating blow. While they were traveling through Spain in their RV over New Year’s Eve, they received a call from the local fire department. Their barn, where nearly all of the equipment for Jakob’s motorsports career was stored, was engulfed in flames. A total of eleven fire departments were on the scene.
The fire disaster didn't just cause enormous financial damage; it also destroyed most of his racing equipment. Suddenly, Rosenthaler's future in motorsports hung in the balance. RT Motorsports' search for a driver and the offer of a spot on the team came at just the right time for the Austrian, allowing him to remain firmly rooted in racing.
The reward was a perfect debut. During their first joint test at Assen, the rider, bike, and team clicked right away. Rosenthaler quickly found his rhythm, and the chemistry with his teammate Kuil worked out perfectly from the start.
Team manager Rob Vennegoor also emphasizes that this complete package is anything but a given: “Finding a rider at this late stage before the start of the season who has the necessary skill level and, at the same time, the resources to be competitive in the EURO MOTO was anything but easy. In Jakob, we’ve found exactly that rider. He not only brings a tremendous amount of riding skill to the table, but also a wealth of experience. With him, we aim to fight for the title once again for RT Motorsports.”
Full focus on the start of the season
There isn't much time to catch our breath. With two more days of testing in Oschersleben, the team is currently continuing to fine-tune the car. The goal is clear: to be in top form right from the start of the season, May 8–10 at the Sachsenring.