Joan Barreda Strikes First at Sealine Qatar Rally

Team HRC’s Joan Barreda roars into the Qatar Rally lead with a stage one victory.

Team HRC’s Joan “Bang Bang” Barreda rode his factory Honda CRF450 Rally to victory in a demanding first stage at the Sealine Cross-Country Rally in Qatar today.

Barreda thrived in a short but technically demanding 164.18-kilometer stage, which left from Losail Circuit. The stage placed a premium on navigation skills, requiring vigilance with the rally roadbook if the riders wanted to negotiate the complicated course.

Barreda was practically flawless from the start and battled his way to the front. At the end of the special stage, he finished with a time 1 hour, 42 minutes and 31 seconds, 1 minute and 2 seconds ahead of the always competitive Marc Coma, while Coma’s Red Bull KTM factory rally teammate Jordi Villadoms finished third, 5 minutes and 4 seconds behind Barreda. Spanish riders currently occupy the top three positions in the rally.

“I’m really pleased with the stage in Qatar, not just because I’ve been very fast, but also because of the navigation,” Barreda said. “I did a really good job. I had tried to change the first day strategy, but in the end I’ve picked up a very important win which sets me up nicely for the next few days.”

Portuguese Team HRC rider Hélder Rodrigues ran into trouble halfway through the special stage, suffering navigation instrument issues that forced him to constantly check his roadbook. Rodrigues finished fifth on the day, behind KTM UAE rider Mohammed Albalooshi. Reigning FIM Cross Country Rallies World Champion and current series points leader Paulo Gonçalves made a costly navigating error that relegated him to sixth place in stage one.

Sealine Cross Country Rally
Losail, Qatar
Results: April 21, 2014 (Stage 1 of 5)

Stage 1
1. Joan Barreda-Hon/01:42:31
2. Marc Coma-KTM/+:00:01:02
3. Jordi Viladoms-KTM/+00::05:04
4. Mohammed Albalooshi-KTM/+:00:07:03
5. Helder Rodrigues-Hon/+00:09:24
6. Paulo Goncalves-Hon/+00:11:30
7. Sam Sunderland-KTM/+00:17:03
8. Ruben Faria-KTM/+00:19:12
9. Rafal Sonik-Hon/+00:31:17
10. Mohammed Abu Issa-Yam/+00:33:19

Standings after Stage 1
1. Joan Barreda-Hon/01:42:31
2. Marc Coma-KTM/+:00:01:02
3. Jordi Viladoms-KTM/+00::05:04
4. Mohammed Albalooshi-KTM/+:00:07:03
5. Helder Rodrigues-Hon/+00:09:24
6. Paulo Goncalves-Hon/+00:11:30
7. Sam Sunderland-KTM/+00:17:03
8. Ruben Faria-KTM/+00:19:12
9. Rafal Sonik-Hon/+00:31:17
10. Mohammed Abu Issa-Yam/+00:33:19

Tomorrow’s Stage
Liaison: 83.65 km
Special Stage: 396.46 km
Liaison: 4.85 km
Total: 484.96 km