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Welcome to the Dakar Rally 2012 special newssection. To read an article just click on the specific headline below. All articles are visible for several years and under special subdomain [ COPY & CLICK HERE ] or use the SEARCH. |
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 | SA-Dakar Rally: Husqvarna Goncalves "Thanks God I was able to continue".
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Not all went perfect on thursday for the Husqvarna Rally Team by Speedbrain, but altogether the squad had a decent Thursday, with Paulo Goncalves improving to fifth in the standings and Joan Barreda earning the team´s third podium. The stage itself was tricky, as Goncalves found out at the beginning of the special test.
The Portuguese crashed at a section where a new road is being built. The course was not well marked with deep ditches. He was lucky not to injure himself. His bike was okay also.
Fellow competitor Frans Verhoeven was less lucky and damaged his machine. The following riders were able to take advantage because they now got warned. "I was lucky not to get hurt. Thanks God I was able to continue" said Goncalves.
He later had to search for Checkpoint 2 like other riders. Goncalves still managed to finish the day in tenth position and improve in the standings. Teammate Joan Barreda was one of many riders who struggled with the navigation.
The young Spaniard rode error-free almost all day. He only had some trouble at a checkpoint after taking the wrong way. Barreda had to lift his bike over a fence with difficulty. He still took his second podium of the rally.
Brasil´s Zé Hélio enjoyed another solid stage. He only had to deal with early dust, following those who started before him. Zé Hélio improved to 16th in the ranks. Jose Manuel Pellicer had one minor crash, and finished the day around the top twenty.
2012/01/06 | 12:33 CET | ARTICLE: MR/SY/SPEEDBRAIN
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