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 | Sertoes 2010: Coma leads bikes category; Polish the fastest on quads.
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A fast special, with beautiful scenery. That was the third stage of the 18th edition of Sertões International Rally, which linked Unaí (MG) to Alto Paraíso de Goiás (GO) on Friday (August 13). After 416 km - 220 of special test - Brazilian rider Felipe Zanol (Honda 450) and Polish Rafal Sonik (Yamaha 900) were among the fastest bikes and quads, respectively. The event also saw the 1,700-people caravan arriving at Chapada dos Veadeiros.
Big surprise of the 2010 edition of the largest Brazilian adventure so far, the rider Felipe Zanol finished the Special in 02:44:22s9. The 29-year-old competitor, who holds several prizes in endurance races, makes his debut this year in the Sertões and has been showing impressive results, such as the first places in the super prime and in this Friday Special.
"It was a much better day for me today. I was concentrated enough on the road book, since I’m not yet fully used to it. I started in ninth place, I picked up lots of dust and this was the greatest difficulty. I'm still learning a lot. In the Enduro, where I’m used to ride, we compete with cars, with traffic. Here, with the restricted route, one can use the whole road on the curve and I'm still adapting to it," said Zanol.
First runner-up on bikes in the third stage, 02:44:59s2, the legendary Spaniard Marc Coma (KTM 690), three times world champion and two times winner of the Dakar, took first place at the 18th edition of the Rally. Former race leader, Brazilian Zé Hélio (BMW 450) had the intercooler oil hose pierced by a stone, and was unable to complete the special. With this, the five-time champion took six hours (5 hours for the maximum time allowed, and 1 hour of forfeit) and has virtually no more chances to win the rally for the sixth time.
"Once again, it was a beautiful day. The special required a lot of navigation, with a technical path. I'm enjoying this year's Sertões Rally so far, and going slowly into the rally," said Marc Coma. "I was just saddened by what happened with Zé Hélio. He was riding very well and hopefully can solve the problem until tomorrow," added the Spaniard.
"It was inevitable, something that can happen to anyone in the Sertões International Rally. As the hose is near my heel, I did not realize the problem to attempt a solution in time," lamented Ze Helio. "I was almost overtaking Marc Coma when I had the problem. Such a pity. Now, let's take the bike away and put a new engine. I'll keep racing until the end of the rally, but it certainly became very difficult to get this sixth title in 2010," completed the five-time champion.
Among the quads, the first rider on the third day of race was the Polish Rafal Sonik. The rider finished the 220-km stretch of special test in 03h03min40s6. Second in his category, with 03h06min07s6, Rodrigo Varela (Suzuki 450) was another pleasant surprise in Alto Paraíso de Goiás (GO). Competitor in the Experince category in 2009, the 19-year-old rider from São Paulo now races the whole Rally.
"I think it was a great day of competition, with a very fast special. In addition, the look was amazing. I do not think we will have another stage as beautiful as this. The second half was especially magnificent, with views of rivers and mountains. There were some of the most beautiful landscapes I have ever seen," said Rafal Sonik.
"It was a pleasant day today, plenty of occasions to accelerate. The special presented a surface that I like a lot, smooth dirt, just as I like and where I like to train. The Friday the 13th brought me luck. I started with a flat tire in the first stage and got stuck yesterday. Today I had no problems," said "Varelinha".
On Friday (13), two riders left the 18th edition of the Sertões International Rally. Both on bikes: Glauco Faria (KTM 450), with a fractured left collarbone, and Luis Paternostro (KTM 530), injured in the dorsal region. They were successfully rescued by the medical team, but can not continue the race. Also in this category, Ike Klaumann (Yamaha 450) also crashed, and must go through exams and receive authorization to continue the race.
Unofficial results of the Category Bikes SS03
01) Felipe Zanol (BRA) I Honda 450 I 02:44:22
02) Marc Coma (ESP) I KTM 690 I 02:44:59
03) Deni Nascimento (BRA) I Prototype BR 450 I 02:46:55
04) David Casteu (FRA) I Sherco Rally 450 I 02:48:28
05) Juca Bala (BRA) I KTM 450 I 02:49:08
06) Kuba Przygonski (POL) I KTM 690 I 02:49:16
07) Dário Souza (BRA) I Honda 450 I 02:51:04
08) Gustavo Pellin (BRA) I Suzuki DR400 I 02:56:49
09) Jacek Czachor (POL) I KTM 690 I 02:57:15
10) Guto Klaumann (BRA) I Yamaha 450 I 02:58:32
Overall results Bikes after SS03
01) Marc Coma I 06:59:11
02) Deni do Nascimento I 07:04:55
03) Felipe Zanol I 07:06:00
04) Kuba Przygonski I 07:12:17
05) David Casteu I 07:12:38
Unofficial results of the Category Quads SS03
01) Rafal Sonik (POL) I Yamaha 900 I 03:03:40
02) Rodrigo Varela (BRA) I Suzuki 450 I 03:06:07
03) Carlo Collet (BRA) I BRP 800 I 03:06:57
04) Andre Suguita (BRA) I KTM 525 I 03:15:51
05) Francinei Costa (BRA) I Yamaha 700 I 03:17:40
06) Tom Rosa (BRA) I Yamaha 450 I 03:17:59
07) Marcio Oliveira (BRA) I KTM 530 I 03:18:25
08) Heronaldo Marinho (BRA) I Yamaha 700 I 03:23:14
09) Rodolfo Brito (BRA) I Yamaha 700 I 03:32:48
10) Robert Nahas (BRA) I Prototype I 03:33:14
Overall results Quads after SS03
01) Carlo Collet I 08:02:18
02) Rafal Sonik I 08:06:19
03) Robert Nahas I 08:19:42
04) Heronaldo Marinho I 08:32:41
05) Rodrigo Varela I 08:33:01
2010/08/14 | 21:19 CET | Editor: MR/HS/SERTOES
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