Team HRC Rally today took part in the Rally Dakar 2017 presentation, held in one of the most emblematic places in the city of Barcelona.
Three of the Team HRC squad, Spaniard Joan Barreda, Portuguese Paulo Gonçalves and Frenchman Michael Metge were among some of the most sought-after riders at the function, posing alongside the Honda CRF450 Rally, which had featured in the most recent edition of the Dakar.
The members of Honda’s racing team had a meet-and-greet with the media, as well as the traditional family photo together with other Dakar enthusiasts. In addition to the trio of Team HRC riders, present also at the event on Montjuïc Mountain were Team HRC General Manager, Martino Bianchi and the new Team Manager, Roberto Boasso. The location, with its strong historic ties to motorsport lies just thirty kilometres from Team HRC’s new headquarters in the installations of Montesa-Honda.
Joan Barreda : « The Dakar 2017 will be a very complicated one as always. We will have to prepare very hard for this physically, as the altitude in Bolivia and the very long specials will require great fitness. Personally, I hope that the navigation is an important factor in this race, which continues to be an important challenge for our revamped team. »
Paulo Goncalves : « I was unable to attend the ASO presentation in Portugal and so I came to Barcelona to see the great atmosphere and expectation that the Dakar generates in Spain. This edition will be difficult, as usual, because whoever thinks that there’s such thing as an easy Dakar is mistaken. The high altitude will continue to test everyone to the limit. »
Michael Metge : « I think that the Dakar 2017 will once again be a really tough race. There will be two important factors, the high altitude and the three 450 km special stages plus another of 750 km will put us and the bikes to the test. We will have to work hard during the season to arrive there on top form in this new challenge for the team. »
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