Friday, January 16, 2015

Dakar: HRC Race Report Stage #12 – Rosario (Video)

2015 HRC Rally Team Dakar race action shot

Honda Racing Corporation Press Release:

As the Dakar draws towards its conclusion, the final push to secure podium places continues. The penultimate stage sees Paulo Gonçalves defend his overall second. Barreda finishes the stage second, as Laia seals tenth spot on the day and eighth in the general rankings.

Paulo Gonçalves has refused to throw in the towel, and remains locked in the battle at the head of the Dakar 2015 course. The Portuguese star grabbed third place in the rally’s twelfth day of racing, behind Joan Barreda, and goes into the final showdown tomorrow 17’49” off the leader, but 7’29” clear of the nearest third place pretender.

Rosario, the city where the race started from last year, played host to the last but one Dakar assault and featured the longest liaison section so far encountered, at 726 kilometers, with a modest 298 km timed special. It was a relatively complication-free affair, not too navigationally demanding, but not without its dangers either, with regular incursions from animals popping up at various points on the route.

2015 HRC Rally Team Dakar race action shot

Joan Barreda, once more, opened the way and was once again untouchable, crossing the finish-line outside Córdoba on the Honda CRF450 RALLY without having been reached. He recorded the second fastest time in the special.

Hélder Rodrigues, had it tougher, heading out from behind and having to eat a lot of dust before the day was done. Hélder chose the prudent option and sat it out with the group instead of going for the high-risk overtaking alternative.

All Team HRC finishers thus find themselves congregating the top-ten for the first time in the Dakar 2015. Laia Sanz scored a notable tenth, and barring eventualities, should hold on to eighth on tomorrow’s final leaderboard.

Argentine local-boy Javier Pizzolito again was the top Honda South America Rally Team finisher in 12th. Brazilian Jean Azevedo registered his best stage to date with a 14th position at the end of the special, and hops two places up the overall rankings.

2015 HRC Rally Team Dakar race action shot

TOMORROW’S STAGE:

STAGE 13 – Saturday, 17th January
Rosario (ARG) – Buenos Aires (ARG)

Liaison: 319 km
Special stage: 174 km

Right to the end!

None of the drivers in the Dakar consider it over until they reach the end of this final day; and for good reason, because every year at least one competitor retires during this final stage. Caution is the name of the game on the fast tracks of the special stage, at the very least for those who haven’t got a position to defend. Because reaching the podium of the 2015 edition at the Technopolis in Buenos Aires is the ultimate goal which they have come to achieve.

Joan Barreda – 2nd + 1’55:

Today was a very fast stage – the surface was all track, and it was very slippery for practically the whole distance. I open the road throughout the special and it was a bit dangerous because I kept coming across animals that had strayed across the track, and even police coming in the opposite direction. Anyway, I’m pleased because I was able to maintain a rapid pace. There is only one stage still to go, and we are going to do everything in our power to get Paulo to his goal.

Paulo Goncalves – 3rd + 3’02:

Well, only one stage left to go. I had to take it calmly because it was a long and very slippery special. I’m really pleased with the way that it went, as it allows me to hold second place and fight for a good place on the podium. But we’ve got to stay focused to not make any serious mistakes. Anything can happen on the final day.

Helder Rodrigues – 7th + 8’40:

The penultimate stage has been a very technical one because the track was very slippery. I caught up with Ruben Faria and Quintanilla and I had to ride with them for over 100 km, without being able to overtake, and having to swallow a lot of dust. Now there is just one special left, and tomorrow I start from a good position, which I hope will allow me to finish the Dakar with a good result.

Dakar Rally 2015 Team HRC Stage 11:

Results Stage 12:

1 PRICE Toby         AUS     KTM AUS Rally Factory     KTM     3:19’04
2 BARREDA Joan         SPA     Team HRC     Honda     + 1’55
3 GONCALVES Paulo     POR     Team HRC     Honda     + 3’02
4 JAKES Ivan         SLO     Microstep Industry Team     KTM     + 3’08
5 SVITKO Stefan     SLO     Slovnaft Team     KTM     + 5’01
6 COMA Marc         SPA     KTM Red Bull Rally Factory     KTM     + 6’25
7 RODRIGUES Helder     POR     Team HRC     Honda     + 8’40
8 QUINTANILLA Pablo     CHI     KTM     KTM     + 10’07
9 VERHOEVEN Frans     NDL     Yamaha Racing     Yamaha     + 10’51
10 SANZ Laia         SPA     Team HRC     Honda     + 12’42
11 PIZZOLITO Javier     ARG     Honda South America Rally Team     Honda     + 12’56
12 VOGELS Hans         NDL     Team Hans Vogels     KTM     + 13’02
13 DE SOULTRAIT Xavier     FRA     Xavier de Soultrait     Yamaha     + 13’13
14 AZEVEDO Jean     BRA     Honda South America Rally Team     Honda     + 14’40
15 CASTEU David     FRA     Team Casteu     KTM     + 14’43

Provisional Standings after Stage 12

1 COMA Marc         SPA     KTM Red Bull Rally Factory     KTM     45:08’32
2 GONCALVES Paulo     POR     Team HRC     Honda     + 17’49
3 PRICE Toby         AUS     KTM AUS Rally Factory     KTM     + 25’18
4 QUINTANILLA Pablo     CHI     KTM     KTM     + 36’57
5 SVITKO Stefan     SLO     Slovnaft Team     KTM     + 46’43
6 FARIA Ruben         POR     KTM Red Bull Rally Factory     KTM     + 1:50’39
7 CASTEU David         FRA     Team Casteu     KTM     + 1:55’09
8 SANZ Laia         SPA     Team HRC     Honda     + 2:19’37
9 JAKES Ivan         SLO     Microstep Industry Team     KTM     + 2:21’29
10 PAIN Olivier     FRA     Yamaha Racing     Yamaha     + 3:04’21
11 RODRIGUES Helder     POR     Team HRC     Honda     + 3:27’54
17 BARREDA Joan     SPA     Team HRC     Honda     + 5:15’02
19 PIZZOLITO Javier     ARG     Honda South America Rally Team     Honda     + 6:14’32
21 AZEVEDO Jean     BRA     Honda South America Rally Team     Honda     + 6:31’03

For more information: www.hondaracingcorporation.com

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Source : cycleworld[dot]com
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