Stage 6 of the Silkway Rally took the competitors for the one last run of 411 kms in the Mangolian terrains before moving to China tomorrow. But not before throwing everything at them, from rain, thunderstorm, lightening to searing heat, really putting the mettle of the man and the machine to the test.
The Hero of the day was Oriol Mena as he emerged out as the winner of the stage battling the weather gods and another superfast stage on the wide steppe roads. With a stage win today he also breached into the Top 3 into the overall rankings and is now placed in 2nd position.
The news from Paulo Goncalves was not that good as he had to forfeit today’s stage due to a technical snag in his bike which prevented him from finishing the stage.
Overall, a mixed day for the Hero MotoSports Team Rally with a lot to celebrate with their first ever World Championship stage win today, all credit to Mena’s superb performance, but at the same time, a lot of work to be done to get Paulo back into the race for the last 3 stages in China.
Oriol Mena (Comp No: 25): « I am super happy to win the first ever stage today for Hero MotoSports Team Rally. Now I am in the second position in the overall rankings, which is amazing. I am keeping my fingers crossed and my focus on maintaining the same performance for the last 3 stages as well. »
Paulo Goncalves (Comp No: 4): « Well, not a good end to my Mongolian stage as I could not finish today’s stage due to a mechanical issue with my bike. But these kind of things happen in rally so it’s ok and I am looking ahead now to the 3 days to race in China. I will try to make the best of the remaining stages in China and make a good finish for the team. »
Provisional Rankings of the Stage 6
1. Oriol Mena, Hero MotoSports, 04h 28m 32s
2. Adam Tomiczek, Orlen Racing, +16s
3. Joan Barreda, Monster Energy Honda, +03m 03s
4. Sam Sunderland, RedBull KTM, +04m 52s
5. Laia Sanz, RedBull KTM, +05m 09s…
DNF Paulo Goncalves, Hero MotoSports
Overall Rankings at the end of the Stage 6
1. Sam Sunderland, RedBull KTM, 15h 02m 50s
2. Oriol Mena, Hero MotoSports, +21m 10s
3. Luciano Benavides, RedBull KTM, +23m 17s
4. Andrew Short, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna, +26m 59s
5. Franco Caimi, Yamaha Rally Team, +30m 19s…
Paulo Goncalves, Hero MotoSports, Information awaited
Press Release,