Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Pablo Quintanilla wins the opening stage of the Sealine Rally by a single second over Red Bull KTM’s Sam Sunderland.
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Pablo Quintanilla took the early lead at the 2016 Sealine Rally in round two of the FIM Cross Country Rallies World Championship, in Qatar, today, but Red Bull KTM stars Sam Sunderland and Toby Price are hot on the Chilean’s heels.
The opening stage on the peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia was fast and dusty. Quintanilla, Sunderland of Great Britain and Price raced closely after the mass start for the 15 motorcycle entrants. Quintanilla led for most of the way, only yielding to Sunderland six seconds through Checkpoint 3 while Price shadowed both men. But Quintanilla crossed the finish line quickest at the end of the 224.6-kilometer special stage, posting a time of 2 hours, 27 minutes and 17 seconds, with Sunderland just one second off Quintanilla’s time and Price three seconds off of it. The finish was so close that it took race officials some time to figure out the winner and thus who would open tomorrow’s second stage.
“Today was an important stage for the road book and the navigation,” Quintanilla said. “I did really well. I was in front almost all the stage trying to not make any mistakes. I feel really good. I think on this race the mass start was a good idea. If we had the start order from the last race [the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge], in theory, some guys have more chance to do well.”
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Pela Renet finished fourth today, just one minute and 35 seconds behind Quintanilla, with a time of 2 hours, 28 minutes and 52 seconds. KTM-mounted Juan Carlos Salvaterria of Bolivia finished fifth in the stage, posting a time of 2 hours, 29 minutes and 40 seconds.
Tomorrow’s stage will cover a total distance of 504.52 kilometers, of which 345.89 kilometers is timed.
2016 FIM Cross Country Rallies World Championship
Sealine Rally
Qatar
Results: April 18, 2016 (Round 2 of 6)
Stage 1 of 5
1. Pablo Quintanilla (CHI)-Hus/2 hours, 27 minutes, 17 seconds
2. Sam Sunderland (GBR)-KTM/+00:00:01
3. Toby Price (AUS)-KTM/+00:00:03
4. Pela Renet (FRA)-Hus/+00:01:35
5. Juan Carlos Salvaterria (BOL)-KTM/+00:02:23
6. Helder Rodrigues (POR)-Yam/+00:06:09
7. Laia Sanz (ESP)-KTM/+00:11:48
8. Scott Britnell (AUS)-Hus/+00:38:49
9. Julian Villarrubia (ESP)-Yam/+01:08:49
10. Muhammed Al Balooshi (UAE)-KTM/+01:50:34
2016 Sealine Rally Overall Results (after 1 of 5 stages)
1. Pablo Quintanilla (CHI)-Hus/2 hours, 27 minutes, 17 seconds
2. Sam Sunderland (GBR)-KTM/+00:00:01
3. Toby Price (AUS)-KTM/+00:00:03
4. Pela Renet (FRA)-Hus/+00:01:35
5. Juan Carlos Salvaterria (BOL)-KTM/+00:02:23
6. Helder Rodrigues (POR)-Yam/+00:06:09
7. Laia Sanz (ESP)-KTM/+00:11:48
8. Scott Britnell (AUS)-Hus/+00:38:49
9. Julian Villarrubia (ESP)-Yam/+01:08:49
10. Muhammed Al Balooshi (UAE)-KTM/+01:50:34
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