RALLY KAZAKHSTAN TAKES FIA WORLD CUP CENTRE STAGE AFTER A MONTH OF MIDDLE EAST COMPETITION

· Leading FIA World Cup teams begin logistical preparations to tackle event for first time 

After three consecutive rounds of the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies in the Gulf region of the Middle East, attention in the world’s premier cross-country rallying series now switches to Rally Kazakhstan, the exciting new fifth round of the series taking place in central Asia on May 20-27.

 The last three rounds of the championship in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar have shown how intense and exciting competition has become in both the FIA T1 and T2 categories, with Abu Dhabi Racing’s Sheikh Khalid Al-Qassimi and Saudi Arabia’s Yasir Saiedan holding the unofficial advantages in both categories.

But any international competitors who has never taken part in the Silk Way Rally will have little idea of what to expect over what promises to be six days of varied desert action to the east of the shores of the Caspian Sea on the western side of Kazakhstan. Overdrive Racing’s CEO Jean-Marc Fortin is planning to take two or three Toyotas to Kazakhstan. He said: “logistically it’s difficult for us to come to Kazakhstan. We used to say the same when Egypt was a round of the championship. But everyone is very enthusiastic about it and it’s a great opportunity for us to see a new rally and new terrain.”

One of those drivers who should be at the wheel of one of the South African-built Toyota Hiluxes is Qatar’s two-time Dakar winner Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah, the defending FIA World Cup champion and winner of both the Dubai International Baja and Qatar Cross-Country Rally so far this season.

“Kazakhstan will be new to me, but it’s fantastic to see a new rally in the FIA World Cup and I have heard that the stages are varied and challenging,” said Al-Attiyah, who has also hinted that he may be taking part in the Silk Way Rally as well this season.

One of Overdrive Racing’s fiercest rivals in recent seasons has been the German-based X-raid team with its fleet of Mini All4 Racings and the new Mini John Cooper Works Rally. Tobias Quandt, son of team founder Sven, was the acting team manager for the Mini X-raid team at the recent Qatar Cross-Country Rally. He said: “We are looking forward to going to Kazakhstan. We really enjoyed it when we passed through the country in the Silk Way Rally. I am sure organisation will be strong. It’s a new event and it’s important that we support these events for them and for the championship to flourish.”

While the likes of Toyota and X-raid and, potentially, Peugeot should be pushing for overall honours at the inaugural Rally Kazakhstan, the FIA T2 category is also becoming increasingly popular. Open to cars such as the Nissan Patrol and Toyota Land Cruiser that adhere to regulations governing series production cross-country vehicles, the series is currently being headed by Yasir Saiedan in his Toyota.

The defending champion is Adel Abdulla from Qatar, however, but the Nissan Patrol driver has struggled with misfortune at his last two events, despite setting fastest times, and wants to set the record straight with a good performance on his first visit to the event.

Adel Abdulla said: “I am very pleased that there is another cross-country event in the calendar. The rally is new and it reflects that the championship is global and international by visiting that part of Asia. Because it is a cross-country round of the championship it also gives me a chance to catch my T2 rivals and score more points!”

Organised by the Automotorsport Federation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the rally starts and finishes in the main square in Aktau City, although it will be based at the Kenderly Sea Resort, around 220km from Aktau, for three nights after the second selective section on May 22.

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South Racing CE scores its first victory in Morocco

The only Czech crew in one of the biggest cross-country rallies in Africa, Tomas Ourednicek and David Kripal scored their first victory in Morocco Desert Challenge, finished today in Oujda. The event that started on Easter Monday in Agadir had nearly five hundred participants from 22 countries, including such renowned drivers as reigning Portuguese champion Nuno Matos or cross-country rally legend Stephane Henrard.

 Morocco Desert Challenge began in a difficult way for Tomas Ourednicek and David Kripal. After minor technical problems in Stage 1, they lost about one hour during the second day due to a broken driveshaft. This time loss seemed to be pretty costly in terms of overall results, but Tomas and David began to fight their way back up on the results list right the next day with their first ever stage victory.

They took the lead at halfway through the event, in Stage 4 and didn’t let it out of their hands for the remaining three days, despite a puncture and intercom problems on penultimate day.

“Today we were fighting up until the last kilometres! It was really dramatic, because we had a small ‘gardening’ ten kilometres before the finish, but we are here and managed to keep the lead. It’s a very special feeling for me to score my first victory as a driver, and especially that it happened in such a long and hard event. 

Morocco Desert Challenge is a wonderful race, really hard, with navigation even more complicated than in Dakar. We’d like to say thanks to the organisers because they did a great job. 

Actually this was not our top speed, we put the emphasis on avoiding mistakes, to learn to work together with my new co-driver and to improve our driving and navigation skills, so we didn’t really expect such an excellent result. We are very happy, and looking forward to the next phase of our preparation for the 2018 Dakar Rally!” a delighted Tomas Ourednicek said after the finish.

  “For me everything was new, since this was my first desert rally and I’ve never been to such a long event either. A cross-country rally in Africa is simply different from everything I’ve ever experienced, and Morocco Desert Challenge was very difficult, but really beautiful. Of course, there were some tough moments, like when we had to change the driveshaft in the middle of the desert or when we didn’t have intercom for about 50 kilometres, but we managed to solve all the tasks. It’s a super result and a great feeling” co-driver David Kripal added.

Action for the team of South Racing Central Europe continues in less than two weeks in Poland. Baja Carpathia, third round of the Central European Zone Championship and second round of the Polish and Czech championships, takes place in Stalowa Wola, in the south-eastern part of the country, on May 5-7, with the best teams of the Central European region.

Morocco Desert Challenge results:

1. Tomas Ourednicek – David Kripal (CZE) Ford Ranger Dakar 34hr 24min 04sec
2. Maik Willems – Ed Wigman (NLD) Toyota Hilux 34 hr 29min 41sec
3. Erwin Imschoot – Olivier Imschoot (BEL) Toyota Hilux 35hr 14min 00sec
4. Pascal Mercier – Francois Beguin (BEL) Can-Am 36hr 19min 01sec
5. Tim Coronel (NLD) 37hr 10min 19sec

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Pedro Bianchi Prata foi 2º mas ficou muito perto da vitória

Uma hora perdida pelo piloto da Honda na etapa inicial condicionou resultado final

 Pedro Bianchi Prata concluiu hoje a sua participação no Marocco Desert Challenge com mais uma vitória em etapa, a terceira que o piloto da Honda alcançou nesta prova. Depois de na véspera ter passado virtualmente pelo comando completou a corrida na 2ª posição. Um resultado muito condicionado pela hora que perdeu na etapa inicial com aqui refere o piloto no balanço que faz da prova.

  “Finalmente chegou ao fim o rali. Foram sete dias bastante intenso e seguros. No primeiro dia perdi uma hora devido a uma água estragada que bebi e vomitei durante quase toda a etapa. Foi muito tempo perdido, mas nunca baixei os braços e continuei a lutar. Consegui três vitórias em etapas, mais um terceiro e um segundo. Foi um rali bastante duro. É um rali muito giro e com futuro. É este tipo de ralis que eu gosto e que eu acho que as pessoas que gostam do verdadeiro Rally Raid procuram que é um rali com as características do antigo Dakar, com etapas duras e com bastante navegação. A moto esteve espetacular, não se desapertou um único parafuso durante o rali todo. A equipa de assistência foi incansável, o Mykel, o Nuno e o Mário estão de parabéns porque fizeram um grande trabalho para que este rali fosse assim tão perfeito em termos de mecânica e de tudo. Claro que não depende só deles e também quem está por trás antes do rali ajudou muito como foi o caso do Pedro Oliveira o Marco Reis e o Sr. Elias que foram incansáveis na preparação de todo o antes da corrida. Estou contente. Acho que fizemos um bom trabalho. Tentámos lutar pela vitória e quase cheguei lá”

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Elisabete Jacinto sobe ao pódio em Marrocos

Elisabete Jacinto subiu hoje ao terceiro lugar do pódio da competição destinada aos camiões do Morocco Desert Challenge. A equipa Bio-Ritmo® alcançou os objectivos traçados para esta corrida depois de terminar a sétima e última jornada desta maratona africana, onde conquistou o quarto posto da classificação na sua classe. Os portugueses demoraram 1h19m52s a cumprir os 138 quilómetros cronometrados que compunham a etapa que ligou Tendrara a Oujda tendo terminado a especial com uma diferença de 5m25s para o holandês Martin Van Den Brink, o grande vencedor da categoria camião desta prova. Para além de três camiões, apenas dois carros foram mais rápidos que Elisabete Jacinto a realizar o traçado de hoje.

 O trio português composto por Elisabete Jacinto, José Marques e Marco Cochinho concretizou todo o rali sem problemas a registar e conseguiram vencer duas (a primeira e a penúltima) das sete etapas desta prova. Aliás, a formação lusa permaneceu desde o primeiro dia de competição nas posições cimeiras entre os T4 o que lhe permitiu manter o terceiro posto da classificação geral da sua classe, lugar obtido ao final do segundo dia de corrida.

 O sector selectivo desta derradeira especial foi encurtado porque o mau tempo que se fez sentir nos últimos dias deixou algumas zonas impossíveis de transpor. Assim, por razões de segurança a organização da prova optou por anular os últimos 40 quilómetros da etapa. Ainda assim, Elisabete Jacinto fez um balanço positivo desta jornada e mostrou-se bastante satisfeita com o resultado alcançado: “a especial de hoje foi um pouco mais curta. Caiu granizo e choveu durante a noite e havia partes com oueds que estavam cheios de água e era impossível passar. Assim a organização decidiu cortar os últimos quilómetros para que não houvesse problemas. O sector selectivo correu-nos bem. Fomos o segundo veículo a partir para a etapa e fizemos toda a especial sempre a acelerar. Viemos um bocado grande atrás do Renault da equipa 505, mas às tantas eles pararam com um problema e nos passámos para a frente e fomos o segundo camião a chegar ao acampamento. Esta prova correu bastante bem. O balanço não podia ser mais positivo. Não tivemos problemas a assinalar e estamos muito contentes com o nosso resultado. Já estávamos a precisar de uma corrida assim”, contou Elisabete Jacinto no final da etapa.

 A equipa Bio-Ritmo® estará de regresso às competições em Outubro altura em que se irá disputar o Rally Oilibya du Maroc 2017.

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Nuno Matos encerra experiência africana com 4º lugar

Opel Mokka Proto “Made in Portugal” com dois pódios 

Após sete dias e muitos milhares de quilómetros disputados ao cronómetro terminou hoje na cidade portuária de Saidia mais uma edição do Marocco Desert Challenge, a prova escolhida pelo campeão nacional Nuno Matos para iniciar um novo rumo na sua carreira, depois do título brilhantemente conquistado em 2016.

 Numa prova em que o objetivo não podia ser outro que o da aprendizagem, face à total ausência de experiência neste tipo de percursos, o certo é que mesmo assim a dupla Nuno Matos / Nuno Rodrigues da Silva, que tiveram ao seu dispor o mesmo Opel Mokka que na Baja de Portalegre de 2016 deu o título a Nuno Matos, se mostraram ao melhor nível tendo conseguido dois segundos lugares e uma quarta posição. Resultados conseguidos frente a uma vasta quantidade de equipas muitas delas com máquinas de elevado potencial.

  “Estou extremamente satisfeito. Aquilo que era o principal objetivo que era ganhar experiência e cumprir todo o percurso foi claramente cumprido. Trouxemos o nosso carro até ao fim e vieram muitas pessoas darem-nos os parabéns pela nossa prestação. Espero que da próxima vez para além de uns bons resultados nas etapas me possa juntar à Elisabete e ao Pedro numa boa classificação final, acredito sinceramente que sim. Não sei se foi a primeira de muitas, seja como for gostava de regressar. São provas que tem de ser encaradas de uma maneira uma pouco diferente das que fazemos em Portugal, mas face aos resultados que tivemos creio que temos potencial para isso” explicou Nuno Matos no final de uma corrida onde é importante referir o facto de “termos utilizado, em confronto direto com algumas das melhores máquinas do mercado de competição em TT, um veículo concebido e construído em Portugal e que tem vindo a ser desenvolvido por pessoas portuguesas”. 

Esta noite terá lugar a distribuição de prémios num hotel de 5 estrelas em Saïdia, uma baía do Mediterrâneo com praias longas de areia branca.

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Nota de Roadbook trai Pedro Bianchi Prata

Piloto da Honda chegou a estar virtualmente no comando do rali 

Depois de duas vitórias consecutivas, a segunda das quais com o handicap de abrir a pista, Pedro Bianchi Prata partiu hoje para a penúltima etapa absolutamente focado em reduzir ou mesmo anular os 13m19s que o separavam do líder da prova.

 Com enorme determinação atacou de forma absolutamente eficaz durante quase 400 quilómetros onde abriu a pista ganhando progressivamente vantagem de tal forma que o colocava virtualmente no comando do rali, já que chegou a ter mais de 13 minutos de vantagem para Harite Gabari. Infelizmente acabou por ser traído por uma nota de Roadbook como aqui explica: “Ataquei desde o inicio, nunca baixei os braços e ao km 210 no abastecimento já tinha 13 minutos de avanço. Continuei ao ataque pois estava decidido a aumentar a vantagem, mas ao km 368 não consegui encontrar o caminho correto e o Harite apanhou-me, perdi muito tempo pois a imagem do roadbook não estava precisa. Foi o único erro nos 420 km de especial mas que me custou muito caro. É espetacular ir a abrir toda a especial e escolher as nossas próprias linhas. Ainda faltam 178km e o rally só acaba no parque fechado, não vou baixar os braços. Obrigado a todos que me fazem acreditar e que acreditam em mim”, referiu Pedro Bianchi Prata à chegada de uma especial onde foi 2º classificado e mante a 2ª posição da classificação geral.

 Amanhã disputa-se a sétima e derradeira etapa desta competição africana que, ao longo de 178km ligará Tendrara a Oujda, uma especial como habitualmente mais curta, mas que poderá ser decisiva na classificação final. Pistas rápidas que vão alternar com passagens de montanhas, campos, oueds que exigem total concentração e uma navegação irrepreensível.

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De regresso ao pódio: Nuno Matos em 2º lugar

Penúltima etapa fantástica para dupla do Opel Mokka 

Depois de, no arranque deste Marocco Desert Challenge, a dupla Nuno Matos / Nuno Rodrigues da Silva se ter estreado em África com um 2º lugar na etapa inaugural, ei-los de novo na 2º posição num dia em que, partindo de trás, foram obrigados a muitas, mesmo muitas ultrapassagens.

 Cumprindo os 405 quilómetros de setor seletivo em 6 horas mais 1m01s, terminaram entre a Toyota Overdrive do belga Erwin Imschoot e a Ford Ranger da equipa South Racing pilotada pelo checo Tomas Ouredniek, duas formações que partiram das primeiras posições e portante sem necessidade de efetuar as ultrapassagens que teve a dupla do Opel Mokka Proto.

 O traçado que ligou Merzouga a Tendrara e que cruzou as planícies de Hamada e o planalto de Rekkam encantou o atual campeão nacional de todo-o-terreno: “A especial foi absolutamente fantástica, muitíssimo rápida com exceção de uns 50 quilómetros finais praticamente de trial. Passamos muita gente, alguns com mais facilidade outros com menos, mas a especial foi fantástica, diverti-me outra vez muitíssimo. Para já o que me apetece dizer é que estou absolutamente cliente destas corridas” salientou à chegada Nuno Matos, num dia grande para os portugueses em prova, todos eles no pódio das respetivas categorias.

 Amanhã disputa-se a sétima e derradeira etapa desta competição africana que, ao longo de 178km ligará Tendrara a Oujda, uma especial como habitualmente mais curta, mas que poderá ser decisiva na classificação final. Pistas rápidas que vão alternar com passagens de montanhas, campos, oueds que exigem total concentração e uma navegação irrepreensível.

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2017 QCCR: Kuba Przygonski and his MINI ALL4 Racing Rang finish second

· Abu Issa takes his MINI ALL4 Racing to fifth place 

· FIA World Cup trip across the Arabian Peninsula is over

 Together with his Belgian co-driver Tom Colsoul, Poland’s Jakub ‘Kuba’ Przygonski celebrated the best result since he switched from motorbike to car racing in 2015. In the MINI ALL4 Racing, he won two stages and secured the second place in the overall standings behind Nasser Al-Attiyah. Meanwhile, Mohamed Abu Issa (QAT) and Xavier Panseri (FRA) secured fifth position in the rally, just 12 seconds behind the fourth-placed pairing. Yazeed Al-Rajhi (KSA) and Timo Gottschalk (GER), however, had to cope with a major dose of bad luck, in their MINI John Cooper Works Rally, and couldn’t finish the rally.

In Qatar Przygonski confirmed the good performances he had convinced with in January in the Dakar. The young Pole won the second and the final stage, thus making it to the second step on the podium. “A great rally for us,” beamed Przygonski. “We pushed right from the start. The navigation was difficult but Tom did a really great job. The MINI also once again ran flawlessly. It was a tough battle up to the final stage. So, we really went for it in the final stage und succeeded in securing second position. Really amazing: we raced for more than 10 hours and in the end, our lead over Poulter in third position amounted to just 28 seconds.”

 Abu Issa and Panseri made it to the top five in four of the five special stages. Only in the Super Special stage at the beginning of the event they had to settle for finishing seventh. Unfortunately, the young driver from Qatar wasn’t exactly lucky: at the end of the day, he was 12 seconds slower than the fourth-placed pairing and finished fifth. To date, Abu Issa had secured to third places in World Cup rounds. “It goes without saying that I’m not happy with having finished fifth. We could have secured second or third place. Without the tyre damages and the navigation mistakes we would be further up in the rankings. We delivered in good style but we just had too much bad luck. In my home race I really would have loved to make it to the podium,” admitted Abu Issa.” Al-Rajhi and Gottschalk couldn’t finish one of the final three special stages. In addition to technical problems, the pairing also was hampered by tyre damages.

 Following the three events on the Arabian Peninsula (Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar), the FIA World Cup will make a one-month break. The fifth round on the calendar is the Rally Kazakhstan from 20th to 27th May, 2017.

 Qatar Cross Country Rally 2017 Gesamtergebnis nach SS5:

1. N. Al-Attiyah (QAT) / M. Baumel (FRA) Toyota – 13h 48m 09s
2. J. Przygonski (POL) / T. Colsoul (BEL) MINI ALL4 Racing – 13h 55m 11s
3. L. Poulter (ZAF) / D. Von Zitzewitz (GER) Toyota – 13h 55m 39s
... 5. M. Abu Issa (QAT) / X. Panseri (FRA) MINI ALL4 Racing – 14h 02m 53s

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Elisabete Jacinto vence sexta etapa

Elisabete Jacinto venceu a sexta e penúltima etapa do Morocco Desert Challenge que se disputou hoje entre Merzouga e Tendrara. A equipa Bio-Ritmo® foi a mais rápida entre os T4 a realizar esta especial composta por 405 quilómetros cronometrados, a mais longa de toda esta competição, e demorou 5h53m11s a cumprir todo o setor selectivo. Os portugueses terminaram com uma vantagem de nove minutos para o holandês Martin Van Den Brink, o actual líder da classe camião, e apenas um carro conseguiu ser mais rápido do que Elisabete Jacinto a completar o percurso de hoje incluindo neste rol a competição destinada às motas.

 A formação lusa, composta por Elisabete Jacinto, José Marques e Marco Cochinho reforçou, desta forma, a sua posição à geral mantendo o terceiro lugar dos camiões com uma sólida vantagem de mais de quatro horas para o belga Igor Bouwens que, aos comandos de um IVECO, ocupa neste momento o quarto posto da classe.

 Elisabete Jacinto, que soma a sua segunda vitória em etapas neste rali, foi o piloto mais rápido entre os portugueses presentes nesta prova e faz um balanço positivo deste dia: “foi uma etapa muito bonita feita nos planaltos marroquinos. Hoje as pistas eram lisinhas e como não tinham muitos buracos e valas pudemos andar bastante rápido. Hoje saímos em quinto e fomos acelerando o mais possível até que começámos a apanhar os camiões que partiram à nossa frente. A navegação era complicada, mas o Zé Marques nunca se enganou e viemos sempre certinhos até ao fim. Foi um dia excelente. Estamos mesmo muito contentes com esta vitória”, contou Elisabete Jacinto no final da especial.

 Chega amanhã ao fim esta edição do Morocco Desert Challenge. A sétima e última etapa desta prova africana será disputada entre Tendrara e Oujda e será composta por 178 quilómetros cronometrados. Esta especial será mais curta, mas não será mais fácil. Haverá uma grande variedade de percursos que vão alternar entre pistas rápidas, onde os concorrentes poderão acelerar sem qualquer tipo de risco, e trilhos mais lentos com muita pedra, buracos e valas profundas. Apesar de curta, esta especial vai exigir total concentração e uma navegação perfeita.

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AL-ATTIYAH, SUNDERLAND AND SONIK CLINCH VICTORIES AT THE QATAR CROSS-COUNTRY RALLY

· Second-placed finishes for Jakub Przygonski, Paulo Gonçalves and Alexis Hernandez 

· Final stage wins for Poland’s Przygonski, Chile’s Quintanilla and Peru’s Hernandez

 Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah , Dubai-based Sam Sunderland and Poland’s Rafal Sonik claimed outright victories in the car, motorcycle and quad categories after a gruelling five-day Qatar Cross-Country Rally drew to its conclusion at Losail on Saturday. Al-Attiyah and French navigator Matthieu Baumel began the final day with a lead of 5min 58sec over South Africa’s Leeroy Poulter and the Qatari pushed hard from the outset to catch the South African. The two Toyota Hilux drivers reached the finish in first and third overall, Poulter’s position belying the fact that he had never before competed in the Middle East and even though he got stuck in the last dunes on a lump of camel grass and missed out on second.

 The final stage of 343.32kmtarted near the fort at Al-Zubara on Qatar’s north-west coast and headed down the west of the country before turning inland to finish on Sealine beach, south of Doha, after a series of dune crossings near the end. Victories on the last stage fell to Poland’s Jakub Przygonski, Chile’s Pablo Quintanilla and Peru’s Alexis Hernandez in the car, bike and quad sections.

  “Today we tried to take care,” said Al-Attiyah. “We had a few problems. We try to fix and continue and then, in the last part, in the dunes, we have a puncture and we don’t have the jack working. We put the car on a small hill and we change it and it takes around four minutes. After that, we did good navigation and we catch everybody. It was important to win here. Everybody had some small problems today but this is a good result for my championship and it’s always nice to win at home.”

 Przygonski and Abu Dhabi Racing’s Sheikh Khalid Al-Qassimi battled hard for the final podium position. The Emirati began the day trailing by 1min 53sec in his Peugeot 3008 DKR and Przygonski pulled clear and eventually overhauled Poulter by 28 seconds to snatch second place, with Al-Qassimi nearly slipping behind Qatar’s Mohammed Abu Issa over the closing kilometres after losing his way. The Peugeot driver maintains his lead in the FIA World Cup championship standings, but doesn’t yet have a programme of events in place to continue the season.

 Al-Qassimi said: “I was struggling. I lost around 10 minutes today, yesterday maybe five and so on. It’s just very difficult navigation here, especially when I am new in this game. You keep hoping someone will pass and you can follow. I am still learning this game. You need to know a lot of detailed, tough navigation. I got lost today. I’m not sure yet about the rest of the season. I will go away and think about it, because I also have WRC commitments.”

 Sam Sunderland, the winner of this year’s Dakar Rally and Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, completed an emphatic hat-trick of victories by staying out of trouble over the final stage to with the Qatari event for the second time. His winning margin was 7min 42sec on a Red Bull KTM 450 Rally. The

Dubai-based Briton was first on the road this morning and benefited from a canny five-day strategy to confirm the win. Monster Energy Honda team rider Paulo Gonçalves was second and Sunderland’s KTM colleague Matthias Walkner of Austria rounded off the podium places, despite a late push by last stage winner Pablo Quintanilla of the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Team. Ride to Abu Dhabi’s Mohammed Al-Balooshi reached the finish in Losail in eighth place.

  “It’s been a good race and it’s been as tough as always here in Qatar with the navigation,” said Sunderland. “I felt good and the bike was perfect and the team did a great job. We have a bit of a break now before the next one, Atacama, so I have time to recharge the batteries and refocus after three rallies in just over a month.”

 Rafal Sonik survived a fourth stage suspension arm breakage to clinch a comfortable victory in the quad category. Making up for his disappointing run in Abu Dhabi recently, the Pole duly confirmed his fourth win in Qatar and his first on a Yamaha.

 Peru’s Alexis Hernandez recovered from a 40-minute time penalty, road book scrolling issues and a heavy landing in a hole on Friday to clinch the runner-up spot from Dutch rider and former CEO of Booking.com, Kees Koolen. Guatemala’s Rodolfo Schippers was fourth and Italy’s female rider Camelia Liparoti was fifth.

 Saudi Arabia’s Yasir Saiedan extended his lead in the FIA T2 championship with victory in the section for series production cross-country vehicles. He and French navigator Laurent Lichtleuchter finished 1hr 13min 44sec in front of Abu Dhabi Racing’s Mansour Al-Helai, who lost time on Friday with suspension issues.

 Adel Abdulla set several fastest times in his QMMF and Ooredoo-backed Nissan Patrol, but the Qatari incurred massive time penalties after a troubled second desert stage in the sand dunes, south of Sealine. Ahmed Al-Shegawi, Mohammed Al-Harqan and Ahmed Al-Malki rounded off the top five.

  “We had bad luck again today and that has cost me a potential stage win,” said Adel Abdulla. “I have lost points again, but the championship still has a long way to go and we have a new cross-country rally coming up next month in Kazakhstan where I can get my challenge back on track.” 

Frenchman Claude Fournier was the sole entrant in the FIA T3 section and reached the finish with navigator Loic Minaudier in a Polaris RZR 1000.

Saturday – as it happened

 Sunderland led the riders into the last of the desert stages that started near the Al-Zubara fort and finished close to the former bivouac at Sealine after 343.32km. The stage featured four passage controls at 132.69km, 168.62km, 183.91km and 238.91km. The Briton held a lead of 12min 34sec over Gonçalves.

 Al-Attiyah began the final day with a larger lead than he may have anticipated. He had ‘lost’ 3min 02sec trying to find a waypoint on Thursday after a GPS issue and race officials agreed to hand back 3min 02sec of time to the Qatari overnight. That meant that Al-Attiyah headed out into the desert with a cushion of 5min 58sec over Poulter.

 Sunderland managed to stay well clear of his rivals to PC1, even though Quintanilla carded the quickest split time through the first two PCs and maintained his stage lead through the remainder of the special to card his first stage win of the week. Gonçalves did enough to hold on to second overall, but the 5th quickest time was enough for Sunderland to claim victory.

 With a slightly larger cushion in hand, Al-Attiyah’s goal was to catch Poulter and follow the South African to the finish. The pair were closely matched through the first two checkpoints and Przygonski managed to pull clear of Al-Qassimi to secure third place and snatched second from Poulter near the finish.

 Yazeed Al-Rajhi rejoined the action after a drive shaft failure on Friday and was fourth quickest through PC1 before withdrawing his Mini John Cooper Works Rally.

 2017 Qatar Cross-Country Rally – positions after SS5 (unofficial @ 15.10hrs)

Cars
1. Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah (QAT)/Matthieu Baumel (FRA) Toyota Hilux Overdrive 13hr 48min 09sec
2. Jakub Przygonski (POL)/Tom Colsoul (BEL) Mini All4 Racing 13hr 55min 11sec
3. Leeroy Poulter (ZAF)/Dirk von Zitzewitz (DEU) Toyota Hilux 13hr 55min 39sec
4. Khalid Al-Qassimi (ARE)/Khaled Al-Kendi (ARE) Peugeot 3008 DKR 14hr 02min 41sec
5. Mohammed Abu Issa (QAT)/Xavier Panseri (FRA) Mini All4 Racing 14hr 02min 53sec
6. Erik Van Loon (NLD)/Wouter Rosegaar (NLD) Toyota Hilux Overdrive 15hr 00min 49sec
7. Martin Prokop (CZE)/Jan Tomanek (CZE) Ford F-150 Evo 15hr 49min 39sec
8. Jürgen Schröder (DEU)/Maximilian Schöder (DEU) Nissan Navara 16hr 04min 07sec
 9. Aron Domzala (POL)/Szymon Gospodarczyk (POL) Toyota Hilux Overdrive 16hr 11min 18sec
10. Mohammed Al-Mannai (QAT)/Kamal Khoder (QAT) Chevrolet Buggy 17hr 22min 06ec
11. Yasir Saiedan (SAU)/Laurent Lichtleuchter (FRA) Toyota Land Cruiser T2 17hr 37min 00sec 

Bikes
1. Sam Sunderland (GBR) KTM 450 Rally 15hr 50min 18sec
2. Paolo Gonçalves (PRT) Honda 450 CRF Rally 15hr 58min 00sec
3. Matthias Walkner (AUT) KTM 450 Rally 16hr 03min 29sec
4. Pablo Quintanilla (CHL) Husqvarna 450 Rally 16hr 05min 20sec
5. Kevin Benavides (ARG) Honda 450 CRF Rally 16hr 08min 06sec
6. Pierre Alexander Renet (FRA) Husqvarna 450 Rally 16hr 10min 19sec
7. Antoine Meo (FRA) KTM 450 Rally 18hr 07min 43sec
8. Mohammed Al-Balooshi (ARE) KTM 450 Rally Replica 19hr 24min 54sec

 Quads
1. Rafal Sonik (POL) Yamaha YFM 700 R 21hr 20min 19sec
2. Alexis Hernandez (PER) Yamaha Raptor 700R 22hr 04min 06sec
3. Kees Koolen (NLD) Barren Racer One 690 22hr 16min 50sec
4. Rodolfo Schippers (GUA) Yamaha Raptor 700R 24hr 26min 35sec
5. Camelia Liparoti (ITA) Yamaha Raptor 700 R 55hr 35min 00sec

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Monster Energy Honda Team finishes second in the Qatar Rally

The fifth and final day of the Qatar Rally – the second round of the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship – has concluded with Paulo Gonçalves in runner-up position. Kevin Benavides likewise placed among rally’s elite with a fifth overall position.

 Monster Energy Honda Team close one of the toughest dates in the FIM Cross-Country Rallies calendar after a noteworthy performance. The overall victory might have evaded the team, but a high-level, hitch-free display and reliable bike performance mean the squad comes home with a more than positive scorecard.

 The fourth special disputed on the final fifth stage today linked the north-eastern and south-eastern areas of the Qatari peninsula with a total of 343 kilometres against the clock. The day got off to a start over rocky terrain before finishing in the dunes of the Sealine seafront area.

 Argentinean Kevin Benavides started the proceedings in second position on the Honda CRF450 RALLY, determined to thwart the attack of the pursuing pack. The group, with the advantage of being able to follow his tracks and make up time, were however, unable to catch him. Kevin conceded less than six minutes to the stage winner Pablo Quintanilla.

 For Paulo Gonçalves, Monster Energy Honda Team’s Portuguese rider, the day was all about consolidating his second overall position. Paulo got off to a brisk start and held a swift pace throughout, eating five minutes into the time of the race’s eventual overall winner Sam Sunderland. The runner-up spot in Qatar has elevated Gonçalves up to third place in the championship standings, while Benavides leaps from fifteenth to ninth.

 Next date for the Monster Energy Honda Team in the world championship will be the Atacama Rally, the third event, in Chile, from 12th to 18th August.

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OVERDRIVE RACING AND AL-ATTIYAH RETURN TO WINNING WAYS AT QATAR CROSS-COUNTRY RALLY

· Impressive Leeroy Poulter finishes third on Qatar debut in Toyota GAZOO car 

· Sixth and ninth for Dutchman Erik Van Loon and Poland’s Aron Domzala 

Overdrive Racing and Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah returned to winning ways to claim a hard-earned victory in the Qatar Cross-Country Rally, round four of the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies, which finished at Losail on Saturday.

 After leading on day one, Al-Attiyah and Baumel hit technical trouble on the second of five stages and were forced to climb back from sixth place. The Toyota Hilux crew ran without making any major mistakes through the final desert section to reach the finish 7min 02sec in front of Poland’s Jakub Przygonski.

  “Today we tried to take care,” said Al-Attiyah. “We had a few problems. We try to fix and continue and then, in the last part, in the dunes, we have a puncture and we don’t have the jack working. We put the car on a small hill and we change it and it takes around four minutes. After that, we did good navigation and we catch everybody. It was important to win here. Everybody had some small problems today but this is a good result for my championship and it’s always nice to win at home.” 

Toyota GAZOO Racing South Africa’s Leeroy Poulter has never competed in the Middle East before. He and German co-driver Dirk von Zitzewitz produced an impressive display to finish third and just missed out on second place on an event that featured difficult navigation and varied desert terrain held in extremely windy conditions and inclement temperatures.

  “We had a good day and it’s capped a great week to be honest,” said Poulter. “We opened the road all day on the last stage. That was quite tough. In the dunes at the end we reversed back in one place and got stuck on some camel grass. It cost us a couple of minutes but, all in all, it was good. Dirk and I are working together for the first time and that worked well.” 

The Dutch crew of Erik Van Loon and Wouter Rosegaar produced another solid performance in the second of the Overdrive Racing cars to finish sixth overall, despite a series of flat tyres Aron Domzala and Szymon Gospodarczyk bounced back from their recent Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge disappointment to reach Losail in ninth, although the crew struggled at times with the navigation and lost a lot of time.

  “We did not start so well with a small problem for Nasser on the first day,” said Overdrive Racing’s CEO Jean-Marc Fortin. “But I thank the team because we made a great recovery. It is not easy to discover new stages yesterday and today. Matthieu (Baumel) was cautious and taking it easy. But we are back in the game with 60 points. 

 “I guess the disappointment of the day was Leeroy (Poulter) losing second place in the dunes at the end. He was comfortable opening the road today, but he got stuck 30km from the finish and that was not quite enough. He did a very good rally and he has made a great recovery from the surgery he had six months ago. He and Dirk did very well. 

 “Erik (Van Loon) suffered a series of flat tyres and we need to analyse this, but he is on his place in sixth. Aron (Domzala) is still learning and lost a lot of time on the rally and that explains why he is so far behind.”

 The Overdrive Racing quartet made a strong start to the event through the confines of a 4.85km super special stage at Losail. Al-Attiyah led the way with a 7.9-second lead over Yazeed Al-Rajhi, but Poulter was an impressive third on his first taste of Qatar competition and Domzala and Van Loon were tied in fifth.

 The starting order lottery meant that Poulter began the first of the desert stages of 334.08km from second on the road and Van Loon, Domzala and Al-Attiyah were sixth, ninth and 10th.

 Al-Attiyah started strongly and led the field through the first two passage controls, but he sustained broken power steering soon 190km from the end and was then forced to finish the stage in third gear after the gear lever broke. The Qatari slipped to sixth place, but Van Loon and Poulter enjoyed an excellent day, despite the tricky navigation, and were classified in fourth and fifth overall. Domzala held 12th overall.

 The Overdrive Racing mechanics repaired Al-Attiyah’s damaged Hilux overnight and the Qatari repaid them with a stunning performance through the second of the desert stages of 353.08km from Sealine to a finish at Mekaines. The defending champion soon closed in on Yazeed Al-Rajhi and, when the Saudi damaged his car and retired, it opened the door for Al-Attiyah to cruise through to take the stage win and move back into an outright lead of 3min 23.7sec over his equally impressive team-mate Poulter.

 The South African recorded the fourth fastest time to hold second place, while Van Loon and Domzala were sixth and seventh and were classified in sixth and eighth overall.

 Al-Attiyah opened the road through the third desert stage from a start off the Dukhan highway to a finish at the Al-Shamal stadium in the north of the country. He opted not to push too hard to try and bunch his rivals up as part of his strategy to defend his title and was quite happy to be caught by his rivals and finish the stage in third position.

  “Yes, it’s close but we did not take any risks,” said Al-Attiyah. “We open all the way and we stop for Khalid (Al-Qassimi) to pass. He does not want to pass. I don’t know why. After the second time, he never gave me the Sentinel. I stopped to let him pass. We decided to continue to bring everyone together for our strategy.”

One of those rivals was team-mate Poulter and another impressive stage performance by the South African pushed him to within 2min 56sec of the Qatari heading into the final 343.61km. Van Loon and Domzala were sixth and 13th on the day and held sixth and eighth in the general classification. 

Al-Attiyah was handed 3min 02sec back by race officials before the event restarted, because of a GPS issue, and the Qatari shadowed Poulter to the finish defending a lead of 5min 58sec. He reached the finish with a winning advantage of 7min 02sec, although Poulter missed out on second by just 28 seconds after his episode in the dunes.

  Qatar Cross-Country Rally – results (unofficial):

1. Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah (QAT)/Matthieu Baumel (FRA) Toyota Hilux Overdrive 13hr 48min 09sec
2. Jakub Przygonski (POL)/Tom Colsoul (BEL) Mini All4 Racing 13hr 55min 11sec
3. Leeroy Poulter (ZAF)/Dirk von Zitzewitz (DEU) Toyota Hilux 13hr 55min 39sec
4. Khalid Al-Qassimi (ARE)/Khaled Al-Kendi (ARE) Peugeot 3008 DKR 14hr 02min 41sec
5. Mohammed Abu Issa (QAT)/Xavier Panseri (FRA) Mini All4 Racing 14hr 02min 53sec
6. Erik Van Loon (NLD)/Wouter Rosegaar (NLD) Toyota Hilux Overdrive 15hr 00min 49sec
7. Martin Prokop (CZE)/Jan Tomanek (CZE) Ford F-150 Evo 15hr 49min 39sec
8. Jürgen Schröder (DEU)/Maximilian Schöder (DEU) Nissan Navara 16hr 04min 07sec
9. Aron Domzala (POL)/Szymon Gospodarczyk (POL) Toyota Hilux Overdrive 16hr 11min 18sec
10. Mohammed Al-Mannai (QAT)/Kamal Khoder (QAT) Chevrolet Buggy 17hr 22min 06sec

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Nuno Matos: Etapa superada com distinção

Dupla do Opel Mokka Proto subiu 11 posições à geral 

A 5ª etapa do Morocco Desert Chellenge, que hoje teve lugar em Merzouga era considerada pela organização como a mais difícil da prova. Areias e dunas eram as palavras-chave para este dia em que os concorrentes tiveram de cumprir a travessia de quatro faixas de dunas ao longo de 230 quilómetros. Do percurso fazia parte a travessia do Erg Chebbi e do Erg Ouzina.

 Amputada dos seus primeiros 30 quilómetros devido à tempestade de areia, mesmo assim a etapa continuava a ser dura, difícil e extremamente exigente. O certo é que os estreantes Nuno Matos e Nuno Rodrigues da Silva, juntamente com o Opel Mokka Proto “Made in Portugal” superaram com distinção esta 5ª etapa e subiram 11 posições na classificação geral.

  “Devido ao problema que se registou na etapa de ontem fomos um dos últimos a sair para a pista, mas o dia foi fantástico. Pistas muito giras, muito diferentes e interessantes. Fizemos três cordões de dunas sem problemas. Quando antevia a participação nesta competição pensei que uma das proezas que teria de fazer seria utilizar muito as pás, cavar bastante, mas felizmente hoje isso não aconteceu. Creio que daqui para a frente não vão existir muito mais dunas e creio que hoje era o dia mais difícil a esse nível. Perdemos bastante tempo com a gestão do enchimento dos pneus. Colocámos ar quando não era suposto e vice-versa e demorámos imenso tempo na gestão dessa situação ao longo da especial. Não fizemos uma gestão 100% eficaz dessa situação. Continuei a aprender, diverti-me imenso e foi um dia em que o Mokka esteve irrepreensível, sem problemas mecânicos” explicou Nuno Matos após ter completado esta 5ª etapa.
Amanhã, o percurso vai exigir um esforço extra. É necessário cumprir 405 quilómetros nesta que será a sexta especial deste rali. O traçado que ligará Merzouga a Tendrara vai cruzar as planícies de Hamada e o planalto de Rekkam. Seguem-se os vales e paisagens panorâmicas. Nesta etapa os concorrentes vão poder disfrutar de um misto entre pistas sinuosas, planícies e alguns trilhos um pouco mais técnicos.

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Second place for Kevin Benavides in the penultimate stage

The Qatar Rally produced its toughest day so far with extremely demanding navigation. Kevin Benavides finished second on the day, while Paulo Gonçalves still has options open in the upper-part of the overall table.

 A change of scenery at the Qatar Rally brought with it a complicated stage with constant changes of route. Competitors had to be particularly careful with the roadbook to avoid missing any waypoints. The tough 337 kilometres against the clock, however, failed to produce any changes on the overall leader board. Kevin Benavides nevertheless moved up one position.

 The Monster Energy Honda Team rider from Argentina rode a fine stage. After getting off to a swift start, the young rider started to post better times from CP1 onwards. After refuelling a minor error in the final section was enough to undo some of the good work done earlier, which should have merited a better prize.

Paulo Gonçalves, meanwhile, was also getting a taste of just how tough the navigating was. A slight misinterpretation of an unclear point meant the Portuguese rider conceded some time to adversaries. Paulo scored the day’s fourth fastest time and clawed back some of the lost time. With just one stage left, the Portuguese rider still holds strong in second overall position.

Tomorrow, Saturday sees the final date of the Qatar Rally at the Losail Circuit after 532 km of competition featuring 343 km against the clock to decide the new winner of this, the second round of the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship.

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Elisabete Jacinto mantém lugar de pódio entre os camiões

Elisabete Jacinto reforçou hoje o terceiro lugar da classificação geral dos camiões, posição alcançada ao segundo dia de prova, disputadas que estão cinco das sete etapas que compõe o Morocco Desert Challenge. A equipa Bio-Ritmo® conta agora com uma vantagem de cerca de 1h30m para o belga Igor Bouwens, que ocupa o quarto posto da geral da classe T4, numa fase em que falta apenas cumprir duas etapas desta grande maratona africana. Os portugueses ficam assim mais perto de cumprir com os objectivos traçados no início desta corrida.

 O trio composto por Elisabete Jacinto, José Marques e Marco Cochinho, demorou 4h18m09s a executar todo o percurso da quinta jornada, que se cumpriu hoje em torno de Merzouga, tendo gasto apenas mais nove minutos que o terceiro classificado da categoria camião. A formação lusa terminou o sector selectivo de 213 quilómetros cronometrados no quinto posto da sua classe.

 A especial de hoje foi mais curta que o previsto porque uma forte tempestade de areia, que assolou a região de Erfoud, impediu os pilotos de partirem logo pela manhã. Assim, a organização da prova optou por anular os primeiros 30 quilómetros que seriam feitos no Erg Chebbi. Apesar das dificuldades, inerentes ao percurso e às condições climatéricas em que se realizou o setor seletivo, os portugueses executaram a etapa sem nenhum problema: “houve tempestade de areia durante toda a noite e à hora de partirmos para a especial a tempestade estava tão forte que não havia condições para começar a corrida. Assim, a organização adiou as partidas e a primeira mota só saiu pelo meio-dia. Por este motivo a etapa acabou por ser um pouco mais curta, ou seja, a organização decidiu anular a parte inicial da especial e acabámos por não fazer a travessia do Erg Chebbi. Ainda assim fizemos as dunas do Ouzina e fizemos algumas do Chebbi antes de chegarmos ao acampamento. Foi uma etapa muito bonita, difícil e sinuosa. Apesar dos contratempos correu tudo bem sem nenhum problema a assinalar”, contou a piloto Elisabete Jacinto.

 Cumpre-se amanhã a sexta e penúltima etapa do rali Morocco Desert Challenge. Esta especial, que vai ligar Merzouga a Tendrara, será a mais longa de toda esta grande maratona africana. Serão cumpridos 405 quilómetros cronometrados que vão variar entre pistas rápidas, planícies e trilhos de pedras ponteados por valas e buracos fundos

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Pedro Bianchi Prata bisa em Marrocos

Piloto da Honda terminou na frente com folgada vantagem e já é 2º à geral 

Depois da vitória de ontem, Pedro Bianchi Prata voltou a vencer a etapa de hoje, a quinta do Morocco Desert Chellenge, que se diputou em Merzouga e aproximou-se de forma significativa da liderança. 

O piloto da Honda que partiu para a especial de hoje na frente da corrida, sabia que seria difícil vencer. Chegou a ser quarto em pista de uma etapa que exigia muita navegação. Mas a persistência e determinação a que já nos tem habituado valeram-lhe mais uma vitória e ocupa agora, decorridas que estão cinco etapas, a segunda posição da classificação geral.

 Pedro Bianchi Prata cumpriu os 230Km’s de uma especial caracterizada pela travessia de quatro faixas de dunas, entre elas o Erg Chebbi e do Erg Ouzina, em 4h00m27s num dia marcado também pelo auxílio a dois dos seus mais diretos adversários, o marroquino Harite Gabari e o Holandês Rob Smits, que após uma queda foram obrigados a abandonar a competição.

  “Ganhámos mais uma etapa :) é bom ganhar em casa, pois eu em Merzouga sinto-me como na minha segunda casa. Foi uma especial de muita navegacão e marcada pela anulacão do início devido a uma enorme tempestada de areia. Sabia que ia ser difícil partir na frente e ganhar, mas consegui. Perdi-me num local complicado e cheguei a ser o quarto em pista, mas nunca baixei o ritmo e perdi nem perdi o foco, lutei até ao final ganhando com bastante vantagem. Infelizmente tive de auxiliar o 101 que partiu um pé devido a uma queda e o Nr. 104 também caiu e magoou-se num ombro. Neste momento, estou em 2º lugar da geral. Amanhã vai ser um dia muito longo e tudo ainda está em aberto. Vou lutar até ao final, quero ganhar”, revelou Pedro Bianchi Prata à chegada.

 Amanhã, disputa-se a sexta especial desta grande maratona africana. O percurso vai exigir um esforço extra. São 405 km’s de um traçado que ligará Merzouga a Tendrara e que vai cruzar as planícies de Hamada e o planalto de Rekkam. Seguem-se os vales e paisagens panorâmicas. Nesta especial concorrentes vão poder disfrutar de um misto entre pistas sinuosas, planícies e alguns trilhos um pouco mais técnicos.

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AL-QASSIMI CLAIMS STAGE WIN AS AL-ATTIYAH, SUNDERLAND AND SONIK LEAD INTO FINAL DAY OF QATAR CROSS-COUNTRY RALLY

· Al-Attiyah leads Poulter by just 2min 56sec; Sunderland in control in the bikes 

· Saudi Arabia’s Yasir Saiedan takes lead in T2; Qatar’s Adel Abdulla wins day’s stage

 Fastest times in cars, motorcycles and quads on the fourth desert selective section of the Qatar Cross-Country Rally fell to Abu Dhabi Racing’s Sheikh Khalid Al-Qassimi, Dubai-based Sam Sunderland and Poland’s Rafal Sonik on Friday.

 Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah and Sunderland now have respective overall leads of 2min 56sec and 12min 34sec after another hot and windy day in the Qatar deserts. Sonik has an advantage of 46min 50sec in the quads.

The stage of 338.05km wound its way through the west of Qatar and then moved up the west coast to finish at the Al-Shamal stadium, the northerly home venue for Qatar Stars League team, Al-Shamal SC. Many of the kilometres were used on the event for the first time.

Al-Attiyah began the day with a lead of 3min 23sec over South Africa’s Leeroy Poulter and the Qatar debutant began to eat into that lead through the first checkpoint. Abu Dhabi Racing’s Sheikh Khalid Al-Qassimi managed to edge in front of Poulter over the closing kilometres to win his first stage and climb above Mohammed Abu Issa and into fourth place. Abu Issa got lost and sustained two flat tyres.

Al-Qassimi said: “The first 37km I catch Nasser and I kept behind him and I am learning and I want to see how he is driving. The first two days I lost a lot of time. Today was a good stage.”

Poulter held on to secure the second fastest time and that enabled him to reduce Al-Attiyah’s overall advantage heading into the final day. Poland’s Jakub Przygonski was fourth and holds third overall. But Al-Attiyah had been trouble free throughout and admitted that he slowed to group the front-runners together.

“Yes, it’s close but we did not take any risks,” said Al-Attiyah. “We open all the way and we stop for Khalid (Al-Qassimi) to pass. He does not want to pass. I don’t know why. After the second time, he never gave me the Sentinel. I stopped to let him pass. We decided to continue to bring everyone together for our strategy for tomorrow. I will try and catch Leeroy (Poulter) and stay with him all the way tomorrow.”

Sunderland started the day fourth on the road and defending a lead of 6min 28.9sec in t he bikes. Despite losing his way with two rivals early in the stage, the Red Bull KTM 450 Rally rider fought back to record the fastest time and will now take an advantage of 12min 34sec over Monster Energy Honda team rider Paulo Gonçalves into the final day.

“It’s not done until it’s done,” said Sunderland. “I made a few navigational mistakes early on and had a bit of stress this morning. I pushed a lot after the refuel and it ended up being a pretty good day. There were a couple of mistakes in the road book. From my point of view it was not so clear in a couple of places and it added a bit of confusion. It kind of snowballs. You try to rush after that. I feel strong. The plan is not to make a mistake now, but that isn’t always easy.”

Honda’s Kevin Benavides clocked the second quickest time to move up to fourth at the expense of Pablo Quintanilla of the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Team. Stage opener Matthias Walkner was third on the stage and holds a similar position in the standings. Ride to Abu Dhabi’s Mohammed Al-Balooshi is eighth.

Gonçalves said: “Until now it was the most difficult stage. I think the road book miss a little informations so, at more or less km80, we make a navigational mistake. We lost a lot of time and we arrived around 10 or 12km in the wrong direction. After, in the second part, we were able to try and push. Tomorrow I have an important day to race. The problem is to try and go fast without making a mistake.”

Alexis Hernandez caught Rafal Sonik and the pair rode close together for the much of the stage, but delays before PC1 for Dutchman Kees Koolen enabled Hernandez to climb back to second overall but Koolen maintained third position from Guatemala’s Rodolfo Schippers. Italy’s Camelia Liparoti was running in fifth place before losing a rear left wheel after 252km.

Qatar’s Adel Abdulla suffered heavy time penalties for his delays on Thursday and the FIA T2 World Champion now has little hope or winning the category this week in his Nissan Patrol. Abu Dhabi Racing’s Mansour Al-Helai began the day with a lead of 3min 02sec over series leader Yasir Saeidan but the Emirati lost over 25 minutes before PC1 and that enabled Saiedan to move through into the T2 lead. Adel Abdulla’s consolation was another stage win in his QMMF and Ooredoo-backed Nissan Patrol.

“I caught the leader in T2 today and had no problems,” said Adel Abdulla. “The problem yesterday was the crucial thing. I proved I have the pace to win this rally. The penalty I got is the reason I am so far behind. It is very important now to get another fastest time, especially for my team who have worked so hard.”

Friday – as it happened 

Matthias Walkner led his motorcycle rivals into the fourth stage of 338.05km that began off the Dukhan Highway and headed west before running through the south-west of the country and then right up the west coast to a finish in the very north of Qatar.

Sonik headed the quad contingent and Al-Attiyah was back at the front in the cars. The two passage controls were located at 138.02km and 280.67km, but Sunderland, Quintanilla and Gonçalves lost valuable minutes after 70.73km with navigational issues. Benavides was 12 seconds up on Walkner through PC1, but the straying trio managed to repair some of the damage that their navigational discretion caused early on.

Pryzgonski and Poulter were in excellent form through the early kilometres and reached PC1 at the top of the standings, with the South African reducing Al-Attiyah’s virtual overall lead to just 1min 24sec. The Pole was only half a minute further behind heading up the west coast to the second checkpoint.

Saudi Arabia’s Yazeed Al-Rajhi started out from Losail to take the stage start but further technical issues saw him return to the bivouac. The Mini driver hopes to complete the final stage on Saturday.

Sunderland regained the time he had lost earlier in the special and was 3min 23sec faster than Walkner to PC2 and extended his virtual overall lead to over 12 minutes. He held on to the finish to claim the stage win and extend his advantage to 12min 34sec over Gonçalves.

Poulter began to eat even further into Al-Attiyah’s advantage and the virtual difference was just 35 seconds at PC2, but the Qatari was playing a canny game. Al-Qassimi was able to claim the stage win and Poulter reduced the overall lead but Al-Attiyah was able to slot into third place and has a good starting position and a strategy planned out to strike the killer blow on the final day.

Tomorrow (Saturday), is the final day of the event and features a selective section of 343.32km between a start near the fort in Al-Zubara on Qatar’s north-west coast and a finish on Sealine beach, south of Doha. The route includes four passage controls in a winding path down the western side of the country and a series of dune crossings near the end to add a sting in the tail for the surviving teams.

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Qatar Cross Country Rally: Two MINI ALL4 Racing after three stages in the top 5

· Abu Issa and Przygonski third and fourth in the overall standings 

· Two more stages to go

Mixed emotions for X-raid in the start into the Qatar Cross Country Rally, the fourth round of the FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup. With the short super special stage and yesterday’s first long stage contested, Jakub Przygonski (POL) and Tom Colsoul (BEL) held the lead with their MINI ALL4 Racing, followed by Yazeed Al-Rajhi (KSA) / Timo Gottschalk (GER) in the MINI John Cooper Works Rally in second position. Przygonski had taken the lead by winning the second stage. Mohamed Abu Issa (QAT) and Xavier Panseri (FRA) held fourth place, with their MINI ALL4 Racing. Over the course of the final kilometres they lost a lot of time due to a damaged tyre. The main challenge of the special stage was the high navigation-difficulty level.

 In the third special stage, however, the order was turned upside down. Abu Issa finished third in the stage, thus also working his way up to third place in the overall standings. “This was a good day,” beamed the driver from Qatar. “At the beginning the stage took us to the dunes. There we pushed really hard and succeeded in passing several other competitors. And we also raced at a good pace for the rest of the stage. Unfortunately, just like yesterday, we were stopped by a puncture but we are happy with our achievements.” At the same time, Przygonski dropped back to fourth position in the overall standings. “Following yesterday’s great win today’s stage proved to be really tough, for us,” admitted the young Pole. “We had to act as pathfinder and to make things even worse, we had to do so in the dunes. “That cost us a lot of time. After the dunes we pushed and that’s what we also have to do in the two final stages.” Al-Rajhi got unlucky: In the dust of another car he hit a hole and damaged a wishbone. Therefore he had to abort the special stage.

Qatar Cross Country Rally 2017 Overall result after SS3:

1. N. Al-Attiyah (QAT) / M. Baumel (FRA) Toyota – 7h 03m 28s
2. L. Poulter (ZAF) / D. Von Zitzewitz (GER) Toyota – 7h 6m 51s
3. M. Abu Issa (QAT) / X. Panseri (FRA) MINI ALL4 Racing – 7h 07m 58s
4. J. Przygonski (POL) / T. Colsoul (BEL) MINI ALL4 Racing – 7h 08m 25s
.. tbd Y. Al-Rajhi (KSA) / T. Gottschalk (GER) MINI John Cooper Works Rally - tbd

Qatar Cross Country Rally 2017 Result SS3:

1. N. Al-Attiyah (QAT) / M. Baumel (FRA) Toyota – 3h 26m 53s
2. Sh. K. Al-Qassimi (UAE) / K. Al-Kendi (UAE) Peugeot – 3h 36m 07s
3. M. Abu Issa (QAT) / X. Panseri (FRA) MINI ALL4 Racing – 3h 36m 30s
.. 5. J. Przygonski (POL) / T. Colsoul (BEL) MINI ALL4 Racing – 3h 44m 10s
.. tbd Y. Al-Rajhi (KSA) / T. Gottschalk (GER) MINI John Cooper Works Rally - tbd

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Mais um dia de paragem no deserto

A etapa que hoje se disputou no Morocco Desert Challenge nem era particularmente difícil e tudo estava a correr bem para a dupla Nuno Matos / Nuno Rodrigues da Silva quando a menos de uma centena de quilómetros do final dos 271,5 que ligavam Oum Jrane a Merzouga, uma arreliadora avaria no alternador ditou a paragem do Opel Mokka Proto.

 A dupla portuguesa já tinha atravessado uma planície de areia perto de Marabout, o desfiladeiro MHarech, as dunas de Ouzina e tinha ainda para cumprir alguns percursos de areia e trilhos de pedra perto de Merzouga e uma primeira travessia do Erg Chebbi, exatamente onde o campeão nacional tinha estado a treinar uma semana antes da prova.

 Restava esperar pela assistência, o que nem se afigurava uma longa espera, quando tudo se complicou: “Como em todo lado há gente boa e gente má. Tenho sido extremamente bem tratado em Marrocos, mas hoje tive o revés da moeda, quando uma das pessoas que vinha com a nossa assistência a levou para outro local bem diferente de onde os esperávamos e foram mais de seis horas de espera que inviabilizaram que pudéssemos prosseguir em corrida, como era o nosso objetivo. São situações desagradáveis, mas juntas com tantas outras fazem parte da aprendizagem. C’est l’Afrique como por aqui se costuma dizer”, explicou Nuno Matos ainda a caminho de Merzouga, onde juntamente com a sua equipa vão tentar perceber a razão para o problema no alternador e preparar da melhor maneira possível a etapa de amanhã, considerada uma das mais duras do rali.

 Amanhã, dia 21, disputa-se a 5ª especial do Morocco Desert chellenge, que terá lugar em Merzouga. Areia e dunas são as palavras-chave deste dia em que os concorrentes terão de cumprir a travessia de quatro faixas de dunas ao longo de 230 km’s. Do percurso faz parte a travessia do Erg Chebbi e do Erg Ouzina.

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João Lopes (con)Vence em Loulé

Piloto de Torres Vedras deu à Polaris a primeira vitória desta temporada 

Depois de um regresso prometedor às competições de todo-o-terreno de onde esteve arredado em 2016, João Lopes mostrou, na Baja de Loulé, que continua a ser um dos melhores pilotos nacionais da disciplina e um forte candidato às vitórias.

 Numa prova que o piloto de Torres Vedras elege como tendo um dos seus traçados favoritos e onde já venceu por diversas vezes, tanto de SSV como de Quad, João Lopes acompanhado de Bruno Santos venceu com uma margem folgada – superior a 5 minutos – uma fortíssima concorrência e deu à Polaris a sua primeira vitória esta temporada no Campeonato Nacional de Todo-o-Terreno.

 João Lopes apresentou-se aos comandos de um dos novos Polaris Turbo RZR Turbo, liderou durante a maior parte de uma prova que elege como um das suas preferidas. “Esta é uma das minhas corridas preferidas. Sempre me dei bem com este piso. Viemos para esta prova com testes ao nível da refrigeração de correias, para verificar se conseguiamos resolver os problemas que se manifestaram na última corrida. Esse problema está resolvido e para mim temos um carro excelente. Este último troço deu para gerir, dada a vantagem que tinhamos em relação ao segundo classificado e a nossa ideia era poder trazer o carro até ao fim. Objetivo cumprido”, refere João Lopes que acrescenta: “Este Campeonato vai ser muito competitivo, o todo-o-terreno é uma modalidade que está a crescer bastante. É bom para nós e é bom para a modalidade”. 

O Campeonato Nacional de Todo-o-Terreno prossegue com a Baja TT Reguengos de Monsaraz que se diputa nos dias 27 e 28 de Maio.

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Elisabete Jacinto faz segundo na etapa e reforça pódio dos camiões

A piloto portuguesa Elisabete Jacinto terminou a quarta etapa do Morocco Desert Challenge, uma exigente jornada composta por muitas passagens de areia e dunas, no segundo lugar da categoria camião. A equipa Bio-Ritmo® demorou 4h40m31s a realizar o sector selectivo de 276 quilómetros cronometrados, que se cumpriu entre Oum Jrane e Merzouga.

 O trio português formado por Elisabete Jacinto, José Marques e Marco Cochinho terminou a especial que se disputou hoje com uma diferença de cerca de 28 minutos para o holandês Martin Van Den Brink que, aos comandos de um Renault, foi o mais rápido entre os T4 e é actualmente o líder desta categoria.

 Elisabete Jacinto avança agora para a quinta etapa desta maratona africana em terceiro lugar da sua classe com uma curta diferença de 13 minutos para o segundo posto, que é ocupado pelo holandês Gert Huzink, e com uma confortável vantagem de cerca de 50 minutos para o belga Igor Bouwens, que continua a ocupar a quarta posição entre os camiões.

 Apesar do percurso desta quarta etapa ter imposto muitas dificuldades a equipa portuguesa conseguiu superar todos os obstáculos: “a etapa de hoje era muito variada, mas foi deveras difícil. A primeira parte do sector era rápido e nós conseguimos fazê-lo bastante bem. A segunda parte foi mais lenta. Atravessámos dois Ergs, o Ouzina e o Chebbi. No primeiro apanhámos umas dunas muito altas, mas passamos por elas sem qualquer complicação. Quando chegámos ao Erg Chebbi tivemos que fazer cerca de 20 quilómetros de dunas verdadeiramente difíceis de ultrapassar. Houve várias vezes em que ficámos quase a fazer o pino. Numa delas pensei até que fossemos capotar para a frente. As cristas das dunas eram muito altas e a traseira parecia que queria saltar para a frente. Mas felizmente correu tudo bem e estamos orgulhosos do trabalho que fizemos hoje ”, revelou Elisabete Jacinto na chegada a Merzouga.

 O Morocco Desert Challenge cumpre amanhã a sua quinta jornada a qual se disputará em torno de Merzouga. Mais uma vez as dunas do Erg Chebbi vão fazer parte da ementa do dia. Aliás, areia e dunas serão as palavras-chave para esta etapa que vai contar com 215 quilómetros cronometrados com partida e chegada ao acampamento que está situado perto da cidade marroquina de Merzouga.

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Bianchi Prata vence 4ª etapa…

… e aproxima-se da liderança

 Pedro Bianchi Prata esteve irrepreensível na etapa do Morocco Desert Challenge que se cumpriu hoje entre Oum Jrane e Merzouga, a quarta desta grande maratona africana. O piloto da Honda foi o mais rápido na especial cronometrada e tendo mantido a quarta posição da classificação geral mas a menor distância do líder da prova a quem hoje ganhou mais de cinco minutos .

 Pedro Bianchi Prata que gastou 4h20m3s a cumprir os 271,5Km de setor seletivo, confessa que não começou da melhor maneira a etapa de hoje, mas contra-atacou e conseguiu chegar à vitória. Valeu-lhe, num outro contratempo, o apoio do piloto marroquino Harite Gabarit que, aos comandos de uma KTM, conquistou a segunda posição na especial que se disputou hoje.

  “Foi uma etapa espetacular. No início tive uma perdidela complicada, mas não baixei os bracos e ataquei até apanhar os pilotos que abriram. Quando já seguia na frente o papel do Roadbook rasgou-se e tive de vir durante 140km atrás do Gabari, a quem agradeco a ajuda, pois sem ele não teria conseguido encontrar o caminho. Viemos juntos a esperar um pelo outro durante todas as dunas. Este é o verdadeiro espirito do Rally Raid. Obrigado ao Nuno, Mário e Mikael pelo excelente trabalho, todas as noites quase sem dormir e a guiar durante o dia os carros de assistência”, referiu Pedro Bianchi Prata à chegada.

 Amanhã, disputa-se a quinta especial do Morocco Desert Challenge, que terá lugar em Merzouga. Areia e dunas são as palavras-chave deste dia em que os concorrentes terão de cumprir a travessia de quatro faixas de dunas ao longo de 230 km’s. Do percurso faz parte a travessia do Erg Chebbi e do Erg Ouzina.

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Paulo Gonçalves consolidates second position in Qatar

Portuguese Monster Energy Honda Team rider Paulo Gonçalves performed well in the third stage of the Qatar Rally with second position on the day to remain in second place in the overall standings.

 On Qatar Rally’s longest day, with a total trajectory of over 500 kilometres, Monster Energy Honda Team come away with notable results, particularly for Paulo Gonçalves who posted the second fastest time and remains in contention for the overall prize.

The special stage of 353 kms took place over the same course as yesterday’s stage, this time, however, in the opposite direction. Once again navigation was a key issue at play for large sections of the route.

Gonçalves worked hard to keep out of the reach of the pursuing riders. In spite of conceding some time in the earlier parts of the stage, he was able to recuperate after the refuelling, even managing to overtake the sole rider who had started out ahead. Paulo wrapped up the day crossing the line in first place.

Monster Energy Honda Team’s second rider in Qatar, Argentine Kevin Benavides, who set out this morning from third place, finished further back after being unable to locate a waypoint. Benavides came home with the sixth fastest time of the day some nine minutes off the special stage winner Matthias Walkner.

The penultimate stage of the Qatar Rally will take place tomorrow in the northern part of the peninsula of the country with a total of 461.46 km, 337.76 of which will be against the clock.

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Sebastian Bühler (Yamaha) a 12 s da vitória

“Tive um enorme susto quando apanhei de frente motos de um passeio” 

Depois de ter dominado o prólogo da Baja de Loulé e de ter terminado a primeira etapa na liderança da corrida, Sebastian Bühler, aos comandos de uma Yamaha WR 450F, terminou esta que foi a terceira jornada do Campeonato Nacional de Todo-o-Terreno na segunda posição a escassos 12 segundos da vitória.

  “Esta corrida foi mais difícil do que as outras. Nesta última especial já consegui imprimir um bom ritmo, mas ontem e hoje de manhã não estava a conseguir encaixar com a mota. Não sei porquê. Se ontem e hoje de manhã tivesse andado como andei agora à tarde, teria sido muito bom e poderia ter ganho. O piso estava muito escorregadio e eu costumo treinar mais em areia. No primeiro dia apanhei um grande susto quando abria a pista e me apareceu um passeio de motas de frente. Hoje correu tudo direitinho, sempre com uma margem de segurança, porque quando não consigo imprimir um ritmo rápido, nem tento forçar”, explicou Sebastian Bühler no final da prova que teve lugar na pista de Motocross da Cortelha.

 De salientar que este jovem piloto ascendeu à classe TT2 de motos de maior cilindrada depois de dois títulos na Classe TT1 iniciou a temporada com uma vitória em Góis e continua agora com o seu plano de internacionalização disputando de 7 a 12 de Maio o Merzouga Rally a prova que dá acesso ao Dakar e onde Sebastian Bühler já participou com sucesso no ano passado.

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OUTRIGHT LEADS FOR AL-ATTIYAH, SUNDERLAND AND SONIK AFTER DAY THREE OF QATAR CROSS-COUNTRY RALLY

· Stage wins fall to Qatar’s Al-Attiyah, Austrian Walkner and Poland’s Sonik 

· Abu Dhabi’s Mansour Al-Helai leads in T2; Saudi’s Al-Rajhi breaks suspension in a ditch

Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah, Austria’s Matthias Walkner and Poland’s Rafal Sonik claimed victories in the third stage of the Qatar Cross-Country Rally, but Al-Attiyah, Dubai-based Briton Sam Sunderland and Sonik held the overall advantages in the car, motorcycle and quad categories after a windy day’s action in the Qatar deserts.

 The day’s stage of 353.02km started near Sealine, passed the Inland Sea and then meandered across to the west coast before heading north to an eventual finish at Mekaines. Al-Attiyah attacked through the early sand dunes and began to eat into Yazeed Al-Rajhi’s virtual stage lead. The Saudi had moved to the top of the rankings when overnight leader Jakub Przygonski lost time in the sand.

Al-Attiyah continued to dominate throughout the day and, when Al-Rajhi withdrew from the stage after 277km following suspension damage in a ditch, the Qatari stormed to the top of the leader board and now holds an advantage of 3min 23.7sec over Toyota team-mate Leeroy Poulter, the South African making his first appearance in the Middle East.

Al-Attiyah said: “The car is working very well and we do our job and our target to win the stage. Now we are leading and try to keep going like this. The wind made it not easy and we had a small mistake in the dunes and we lose around three minutes. But we came back strong.”

“We broke the front left in a ditch and tried to drive the stage slowly, step-by-step, but then we decided to (pull) out,” said Al-Rajhi, who arrived in Losail with a Mini sporting a puncture and broken front-left suspension. “It got worse and worse. We see tomorrow what our start position will be and we will push.”

Abu Dhabi Racing’s Sheikh Khalid Al-Qassimi carded the second quickest time to move up to fifth overall behind third-placed Qatari Mohammed Abu Issa and Przygonski. Dutchman Erik van Loon was sixth in a third Toyota Hilux run by Overdrive Racing.

KTM Red Bull Factory Team rider Sunderland made a storming start from the front in the motorcycle category and stayed well ahead of his rivals through the first two checkpoints. But his pursuers managed to close in over the faster sections as the stage progressed and Austrian Matthias Walkner claimed the stage win and moved up to third overall.

Walkner said: “I realise now that I won the stage. Sure, it helps a bit when you start at the back. It was so windy out there and almost on the limits for the safety reasons. Sometimes you did not see any piste or nothing. It was really hard, but I am happy that I make up for the time loss yesterday. The dunes were okay because Sam did a great job to leave the lines to follow. But, after the refuelling, it was getting really difficult with the navigation and I slow down a lot.”

Sunderland continues to lead outright by 6min 28.9sec from Monster Energy Honda team rider Paulo Gonçalves. Pablo Quintanilla of the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Team holds fourth and Honda’s Kevin Benavides is fifth. Ride to Abu Dhabi’s Mohammed Al-Balooshi holds eighth place.

“I saw that I was a bit too fast this morning and I had to ease it off a bit for the strategy,” said Sunderland. “I didn’t want to take any risks or make any big mistakes with the navigation because it is so easy to happen. It’s strange now with this one being four days. It makes it different again. We will see how it pans out. It was very difficult to see this morning to be honest. You could not see the ends of the dunes or the bumps. There was a really high wind today.”

Gonçalves was upbeat after his second place: ”I did another good stage. There were sand dunes at the beginning and then we arrived at the fast stony tracks. Before refuelling, Sam push a lot and I cannot catch him. Then he did a mistake and I start to open the track. I am happy. The bike ran perfectly. We have two days more and a long race in front.”

Alexis Hernandez lost his quad lead when he was penalised for missing two waypoints and the Peruvian slipped to second after day three behind the day’s stage winner Rafal Sonik.

Qatar’s Adel Abdulla lost his T2 category lead in the sand dunes south of Sealine and that opened the door for Abu Dhabi Racing’s Mansour Al-Helai to claim the stage win and move ahead of Saudi Arabia’s Yasir Saeidan in the standings. The duo are 12th and 13th overall. Qatar’s Mohammed Al-Harqan is third.

  “From the first 20km from the start, the temperature of the engine went up and we stopped to try and fix it,” said Adel Abdulla. “The fan had broken. Problems are chasing me from the beginning of the season. I tried my best not to miss any waypoints. You never know. There are still two long days to go.”

Saudi Arabia’s Abdulmajeed Al-Khulaifi finished the shorter non-FIM section on his Yamaha quad for a second day, with fellow countryman Sultan Al-Masood running behind.

Saudi driver Khaled Al-Feraihi was the unofficial winner of the day’s National Baja stage that finished at PC2, after 152.5km. Qatar’s Mohammed Al-Harqan was second and Mohammed Al-Mannai held third. Emirati driver Abdullah Al-Ketbi was hospitalised after an accident just five kilometres into the day’s National Baja stage. His co-driver Rashed Al-Ketbi was not hurt in the incident.

Thursday – as it happened 

Sam Sunderland led his rivals into the second of the desert stages with a lead of 9min 32.9sec over Paulo Gonçalves. Alexis Hernandez had ridden the closing stages of the previous day’s special alongside Polish rival Rafal Sonik in the quads, but the Peruvian was given a 40-minute time penalty by the FIM Jury at the meeting on Wednesday night for missing two waypoints and that dropped him behind Sonik and Kees Koolen in the standings.

Vendetta Racing’s David McBride and David Mabbs reached Losail in 12th and 16th overall, but the Dubai-based duo decided to sit out the second desert stage to recover in time to tackle the last two days. “It was really heavy out there, my body is hammered and I’ll miss one day to get ready for tomorrow,” said Mabbs. McBride added: “It was really tough, especially at the start, and the rocks really take their toll. The sand here is fine and soft and not like the UAE. Here you have no control of the bike. But you can miss one stage and still score points.

In the car category, Jakub Przygonski opened the road in his Mini All4 Racing and held a lead of 1min 25sec over Yazeed Al-Rajhi, with local favourite Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah in sixth.

Sunderland took no prisoners from the start and managed to find a potent pace through the dunes and the opening two passage controls. He only ceded a handful of seconds to Gonçalves through PC1 and managed to pull away from the Portuguese through PC2. Only Walkner could get anywhere near the Briton, but he was over one and a half minutes adrift at PC2.

Al-Attiyah was also on a charge and the Qatari overtook three cars before the first checkpoint and shaved over seven minutes off Al-Rajhi’s overnight advantage. Przygonski ceded over 13 minutes in the sand dunes and Al-Qassimi was running strongly and second quickest in the stage. Al-Attiyah shaved another minute of Al-Rajhi’s lead through PC2

Gonçalves managed to catch Sunderland over the faster tracks before the third passage control and finished the stage with the second fastest time. The stage win fell to Walkner, but Sunderland maintained his overall lead.

When Al-Rajhi damaged his Mini All4 Racing in a ditch, it left the track clear for Al-Attiyah to claim the stage win and snatch the outright lead with Al-Qassimi finishing second on the day.

Tomorrow (Friday), the fourth stage of 338.05km begins off the Dukhan Highway and heads west before running through the south-west of the country and then right up the west coast to a finish in the very north of Qatar at the Al-Shamal stadium, the home venue for Qatar Stars League team Al-Shamal SC. There are many kilometres in this stage that have never been used before in the FIA World Cup round.

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Gonçalves and Benavides on the podium in the second stage

Paulo Gonçalves and Kevin Benavides both posted podium finishes at the end of a lengthy special stage on day two of the Sealine Qatar as the first differences in the field begin to emerge.

 It was a tough day out for the Monster Energy Honda Team riders who had to face a long, gruelling slog through the Qatari desert. With more than 330 kilometres of complicated special stage to face, it turned out to be a day for the more proficient navigators of the field. Paulo Gonçalves and Kevin Benavides set off this morning amid the first half of the starting order, which had been decided in yesterday’s Super Special stage. The duo managed to keep a strong pace over the entire course of the day.

Portuguese rider Paulo Gonçalves had a trouble-free stage aboard the Honda CRF450 RALLY on a day that left very little margin for error. Paulo posted the day’s second best time and now lies in second place in the general standings too.

Monster Energy Honda Team companion, Argentinean Kevin Benavides, maintained a similar rhythm to his Portuguese team-mate to finish the special a minute and a half behind.

Tomorrow, Thursday, sees the longest day of the competition. The odometer will be signalling 503 kilometres by the close of the day, which will include some 353 km against the clock.

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O dia da grande aprendizagem

A dupla Nuno Matos / Nuno Rodrigues da Silva continua a superar todos os obstáculos e a dureza de uma prova marroquina que toma uma dimensão completamente diferente quando se trata de estreantes como eles. Da 3ª etapa do Morocco Desert Challenge com um percurso que ligou Foum Zguid a Oum Jrane, num total de 345 quilómetros, faziam parte a travessia pelo Lac Iriki, duas passagens pelas dunas do Erg Chegaga, pelo arenoso oued de Mhamid e a subida de uma íngreme montanha. Para o final da etapa estavam reservados cerca de 100 quilómetros de pistas rápidas de areia.

 Ao contrário do dia anterior o Opel Mokka esteve irrepreensível a ponto de o campeão nacional ter referido que apenas lhe faltou ter tido aos seus comandos um piloto mais experiente para ter podido continuar a dar nas vistas.

“O resultado não foi o mais positivo, mas a verdade é que sabíamos que o dia seria difícil. Estivemos no Erg Chegaga, fizemos cerca de 30km’s de dunas e as coisas não nos saíram propriamente mal. Ficámos parados na primeira duna, mas daí para a frente conseguimos superar os obstáculos. Estivemos a treinar em Merzouga, mas é sempre diferente fazê-lo em competição. Percorremos alguns quilómetros no leito de um rio seco, com muita areia. Cruzámos pistas muito diferentes e paisagens absolutamente fantásticas. Havia também muito vento. Quase não conseguíamos ver a pista na segunda metade da etapa devido à tempestade de areia. Para o dia de hoje a aposta era não deitar nada a perder, poupar ao máximo o carro e nesse aspeto, creio que o objetivo foi cumprido. Cometemos alguns erros, mas aprendemos com isso” explicou Nuno Matos que manteve a 20ª posição que ocupava na classificação geral

 Amanhã disputa-se a 4ª etapa desta mítica competição africana que ligará, ao longo dos 271,5Km, Oum Jrane a Merzouga, num dia também ele marcado pela diversidade de percurso. Os concorrentes terão de atravessar uma planície de areia perto de Marabout, o desfiladeiro MHarech, as dunas de Ouzina, realizar alguns percursos de areia e trilhos de pedra perto de Merzouga e uma primeira travessia do Erg Chebbi.

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