Barreda even further ahead after third stage China Grand Rally win

Joan Barreda took victory on a trouble-free third day of the China Grand Rally as the Team HRC duo pulled off another one-two. The stage had been shortened from the previously scheduled version.

Today’s stage played out over rocky terrain and fast tracks at the foot of the immense Gobi Desert. Riders also had to tackle sandy sections with some fairly taxing navigation. On the day the 351 kilometre route had been reduced in length. Before making it back to the bivouac in YouQi competitors had clocked up some 761 kilometres. The rally’s main course will be served up over the next few stages as the race takes to the Gobi Desert.

Joan Barreda once again notched up the fastest time after heading out in first place where he remained until halfway through the special stage. The Team HRC man opened the track for the first hour and a half of the timed section, navigating the Honda CRF450 RALLY impeccably. This makes it three out of three thus far in the China Grand Rally. Barreda now stands six minutes clear of the second-placed rider in the general standings.

Team HRC sidekick, Frenchman Michael Metge, was able to navigate with ease again today after the instruments had been fixed up. Metge finished three minutes adrift of Barreda and clawed back three minutes from the second place rider in the overall rankings.

Tomorrow’s 304 kilometre stage will feature a heavy dosage of dunes in which competitors will have to have their wits about them as they navigate in search of the strategically placed waypoints.