The riders from the Monster Energy Honda Team are ready to rumble as the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship arrives at round four for a week-long crusade in the north-eastern provinces of Argentina.
Saturday sees the Desafío Ruta 40 get underway for the Monster Energy Honda Team in San Juan, Argentina. The most exciting event in the offroad disciple and the fourth date so far in the world championship calendar will play out over six days, once again on South American soil. The rally kicks off with a short four-kilometre curtain-raising prologue on Saturday; the start is scheduled for 16:30 local time.
Joan Barreda, Paulo Gonçalves, Kevin Benavides, Ricky Brabec and Michael Metge spent Friday morning getting through the usual pre-race scrutineering session. First up were the administrative checks, followed by the technical shakedown for the Honda CRF450 RALLY bikes, which all passed successfully and were deemed fit for participation in the Desafío Ruta 40.
Paulo Gonçalves, currently third overall in the world championship table, will be out to gather the maximum number of points possible as he goes in pursuit of second place Chilean rival Quintanilla, winner of last week’s Atacama Rally. Meanwhile, Kevin Benavides, also looking to scale positions in the championship table, will be seeking to repeat the result of last year’s edition. The local boy currently occupies fifth position. Alongside the Portuguese and Argentinean riders in the Desafío Ruta 40 will be Michael Metge (France) and Ricky Brabec (USA). Last week these two, with Joan Barreda (Spain) and Metge as a reserve rider, took part and triumphed in the prestigious Vegas to Reno Race.
Joan Barreda, originally scheduled to start the Desafío Ruta 40 today (Saturday), fell during a team training session in the outskirts of San Juan yesterday. As a consequence of a left forearm injury sustained in the accident, and as a cautionary measure, both the rider and the team’s management have decided to leave the rider out of the race.
