Red Bull KTM’s Marc Coma does what he does best, win, in the opening state of the Brazilian rally.
Red Bull KTM’s Marc Coma stepped to the fore of the Rally dos Sertões field in Brazil today by handily winning the opening stage of the 2600 km event.
The Red Bull KTM-backed Coma completed the 216-kilometer stage (of which 155 kilometers was timed) between Goiania in central Brazil and Caldas Novas in 1 hour, 55 minutes and 28 second. Coma now has a 1-minute, 22-second advantage over Team HRC’s Helder Rodrigues. Team HRC’s Paolo Goncalves finished third in the stage and is now 2 minutes Coma.
“It was only quite a short stage, but we can say the terrain was quite tricky,” Coma said. “You have to pay close attention because there are a lot of animals and fences and other obstacles, and also we were flying all the time because there were many jumps. Every time you have to judge how and where to land. I am happy though that we found the good rhythm today.”
Rodrigues said that his team also had a good day.
“I finished second, which is a great result for me,” he said. “I haven’t taken part in this race for seven years. I think that the first two days (prologue and Stage 1) have gone great. Let’s see how it goes over the next few. At the end of the day, I’m second in the overall standings, and Paulo (Goncalves) is third, but the important thing is that we are in with a chance of winning the rally.”
Red Bull KTM’s Jordi Viladoms of Spain finshed fourth in Stage 1 and is 2:32 off Coma’s pace. Brazilian Honda rider Jean Azevedo was fifth, while Great Britain’s Sam Sunderland was sixth, just ahead of Ruben Faria.
Tomorrow’s Stage 2 takes takes riders from Caldas Novas to Catalao.
Coma came into the Rally dos Sertões with a six-point lead in the FIM World Cross Countries Rally Championship over Joan Barreda, but with Barreda not competing, Goncalves is looking to move into second place and pressure Coma. The World Championship concludes with the Morocco Rally in October.
FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship, Round 5
Rally dos Sertões
Brazil
Results: August 24, 2014 (Stage 1 of 7)
Stage 1: Goiana-Caldes Novas, Brazil
1. Marc Coma-KTM/01:49:08
2. Helder Rodrigues-Hon+:00:01:17
3. Paulo Goncalves-Hon/+00:02:19
4. Jordi Viladoms-KTM/+00:02:25
5. Jean Azevedo -Hon/+00:02:48
6. Sam Sunderland-KTM+00:04:13
7. Ruben Faria-KTM/+00:04:26
8. Ramon Oliveira Sacilotti-Kaw/+00:04:51
9. Ricardo Martins-Yam/+00:05:36
10. David Casteu-KTM/+00:05:52
Rally dos Sertões Provisional Standings (After 1 of 7 stages)
1. Marc Coma-KTM/1:55:28
2. Helder Rodrigues-Hon/+00:01:22
3. Paulo Goncalves-Hon/+00:02:0
4. Jordi Viladoms-KTM/+00:02:32
5. Jean Azevedo -Hon/+00:02:36
6. Sam Sunderland-KTM/+00:04:31
7. Ruben Faria-KTM/+00:04:33
8. Ramon Oliveira Sacilotti-Kaw/+00:05:14
9. Ricardo Martins-Yam/+00:05:48
10. David Casteu-KTM/+00:05:53
Tomorrow’s Stage
Caldas Novas-Catalao
Liaison-39.54 km
Special Stage-202.23 km
Liaison-18.59 km
Total Distance-260.36 km
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