Honda - Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge - 2015 Cross Countries Rally Round 2

Barreda re-emerges with a win in the second stage
Shaking off yesterday’s troubles which ruled out any chance of winning the overall rally, Joan Barreda today re-established himself with a second-stage triumph in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. Paulo Gonçalves remains in third and Brabec finishes among the top riders.
The longest stage in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge got underway with a motocross-style start and concluded with a rampant Joan Barreda clocking the best score in the timed special. It was certainly no easy day out in the Al Garbia desert for the Spaniard aboard the Honda CRF450 RALLY. With no reference points ahead to guide him, Barreda showed some classy navigational skills that saw him romp home 11 minutes ahead of the stage’s runner-up.
Likewise, Paulo Gonçalves did a fine job of keeping Marc Coma in check, trailing him in the overall by 5’33.
Ricky Brabec, Team HRC’s rookie, crossed the line in sixth and also occupies sixth on the overall leaderboard.    
           
    
Paulo Goncalves
Stage: 12th Overall: 3rd

    It was a very special day, very nice, starting out in MX. We were together almost the whole day. It was important to finish ahead in the final part so as to choose the starting-order amongst the top riders. In the end everyone slowed down, so let’s see what strategy is used tomorrow. The bike is running like a dream when you consider just how difficult the Abu Dhabi course is, with such a lot of sand and high-temperatures. I’m really pleased with the way that Team HRC has been working.

    
Joan Barreda
Stage: Winner Overall: 43rd

    I’m satisfied. Today was a great day after the bad one yesterday. I rode a good pace, opening the way all day alone. I had a problem yesterday but we have figured out what it was and are working to get it sorted out; it’s the same specification that we had in the Dakar. Some things are being worked on that will be at our disposal from the summer onwards. I really have great faith in the work that Honda is doing on the bike.

    
Ricky Brabec
Stage: 6th Overall: 6th

    Yeah, today was great. The mass start was a little bit different. Paulo and I just sat back and watched what everyone was doing. I think he finished where he wanted to. The bike felt better and rode the sand-dunes much better. Also, there were no mistakes today so that is always a plus.
    
    
Wolfgang Fischer
Team HRC Team Manager

    Today’s stage it was a good chance for Joan Barreda to make up a bit for the mishap of yesterday, after he lost a lot of time. He won the stage in a dominant way. The stage was quite technical in the end for the riders at the front to have the choice for the starting position. It was an opportunity for Paulo Goncalves to make the most and not give the other riders any chance to slip by, securing his best opportunity to start from the rear tomorrow.