Team HRC’s Joan Barreda rebounds in Stage 2 of the UAEMC Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, and American hopeful Ricky Brabec hangs tough.
Team HRC’s Joan Barreda of Spain rebounded from the electrical malfunction that effectively ended his chances to win the UAEMC Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge during Stage 1 with a win in Stage 2 today.
Barreda set the fastest time of the day on the event’s longest stage, which also featured a unique, motocross-style start. With no tire tracks to guide him, Barreda showed that his navigational skills are top notch as he finished the stage with a time of 3 hours, 57 minutes and 9 seconds, 11 minutes ahead of runner-up Sam Sunderland of the Red Bull KTM team. Sunderland moved into the rally overall lead after a slower day by teammate Marc Coma, who finished the stage in 11th place and is now 3 minutes and 30 seconds behind Sunderland.
“I’m satisfied,” Barreda said. “Today was a great day after the bad one yesterday. I rode a good pace, opening the way all day alone. I had a problem yesterday but we have figured out what it was and are working to get it sorted out; it’s the same specification that we had in the Dakar. Some things are being worked on that will be at our disposal from the summer onwards. I really have great faith in the work that Honda is doing on the bike.”
Meanwhile, American rider and Team HRC rookie finished the day in sixth place, a little over 15 minutes behind Barreda. Brabec is now sixth overall in the rally, 14 minutes and 10 seconds out of the lead.
“Today was great,” Brabec said. “The mass start was a little bit different. Paulo and I just sat back and watched what everyone was doing. I think he finished where he wanted to. The bike felt better and rode the sand-dunes much better. Also, there were no mistakes today so that is always a plus.”
2015 FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship
Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Results: March 30, 2015 (Round 1 of 6)
Stage 2
1. Joan Barreda (SPA)-Hon/3 hours, 57 minutes and 9 seconds
2. Sam Sunderland (GBR)-KTM/+00:11:29
3. Mathias Walkner (AUT)-KTM/+00:11:32
4. Mohammed Albalooshi (UAE)-KTM/+00:14:29
5. Ruben Faria (POR)-KTM/+00:14:54
6. Ricky Brabec (USA)-Hon/+00:15:06
7. Juan Carlos Salvatierra (BOL)-Hon/+00:15:34
8. José Cornejo (CHI)-Suz/+00:15:50
9. Pablo Quintanilla (CHI)-KTM/+00:16:08
10. Armand Monleón (SPA)-KTM/+00:16:12
Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge Overall Standings (After Stage 2 of 5)
1. Sam Sunderland (GBR)-KTM/7 hours, 22 minutes and 53 seconds
2. Marc Coma (SPA)-KTM/+00:03:30
3. Paulo Goncalves (POR)-Hon/+00:09:03
4. Mathias Walkner (USA)-KTM/+00:12:41
5. Ruben Faria (POR)-KTM/+00:13:11
6. Ricky Brabec (USA)-Hon/+00:14:10
7. Mohammed Albalooshi (UAE)-KTM/+00:15:49
8. Pablo Quintanilla (CHI)-KTM/+00:19:16
9. Armand Monleón (SPA)-KTM/+00:25:28
10. Juan Carlos Salvatierra (BOL)-Hon/+00:28:12
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