Hills racer Olly Simpson burning up the track with two podium finishes in Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup

ADELAIDE Hills sensation Olly Simpson sits second on the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup after twin third-placings at the opening round of the season in Spain.

ADELAIDE Hills sensation Olly Simpson sits second on the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup after twin third-placings at the opening round of the season in Spain.

The top-three double in the two-race feature at Jerez was a major breakthrough for the 17-year-old, who stood on the podium for the first time after two full seasons in the international series.

Simpson, the sole Australian in the 24-rider field, has 32 championship points and trails only Dutchman Bo Bendsneyder (50 points).

Simpson qualified second and held the lead early in both races.

“It was great to get two third places in one weekend and to get on the podium for the first time in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup — it was a great feeling,” Simpson said.

“I am second in the championship and it is an awesome position to be in at the start of the season.”

The Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup is an exclusive junior class designed to unearth future MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 stars.

Virginia rider Arthur Sissis finished second in the 2011 championship.

The next race on the seven-event season is in the Netherlands on June 26.

Originally published as Hills racer Olly Simpson burning up the track with two podium finishes in Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup