The penultimate stage of the rally took the competitors for one last time around the bivouac of Aoufous for a run of 408 kms. The stage tested the riders with a mix of stony tracks, sandy oueds, dunes, fast pistes and camel grass – pretty much everything that can be found in the region.
For Hero MotoSports Team Rally, it was by far the best stage of the rally in terms of the results as well as the rider performances. Paulo Goncalves showed the glimpses of why he is considered a top athlete in the rally sport by winning the stage 4, his first stage victory in a world championship rally representing Hero MotoSports. Joaquim Rodrigues as well made a clean and solid race today and finished close to the top 10 in 11th position. C S Santosh, however, had another tiring day out he batted it out on the third back to back long stage of the rally to finish in the 27th place. With today’s much improved showing, Paulo and JRod climbed their way into the Top 15 with Paulo in 13th spot, JRod in 15th and Santosh in 25th place in the overall rankings.
Tomorrow, the competitors will take on the last test of 456 kms that includes the timed special of 168 kms before the last race of the FIM world Championship and the last rally of the season before the Dakar draws its curtains.
Paulo Goncalves, Rider, Hero MotoSports Team Rally said, « Finally a good stage of the Rally Du Maroc for me. I made no navigation mistakes today and so I was able to win the stage. I am happy for the team and the entire assistance crew as they have been working really hard before and during this rally to support me, so they deserve today’s victory. We have already tested this bike for about 2000 kms in tough and tricky conditions in the sand and stony tracks and till now no mechanical problems so we are really happy with this. »
Joaquim Rodrigues, Rider, Hero MotoSports Team Rally said, « Finally today we had a good day for me and team. I and Paulo made a clean race today with no mistakes so we are happy with the good job we did today. I managed to catch the guys in front of me and the bike is working really well so these are good signs for us and the team. Now we have only 1 stage left for tomorrow and I will try to bring it home safely. »
C S Santosh, Rider, Hero MotoSports Team Rally said, « The final big stage of the rally got over today. It was a fast stage today, really physical with a lot of rocks and off-piste. The first part of the stage was really good for me, I felt good and had good energy but the stage took its toll by the time I hit the second half. I lost my way towards the end and lost some time there, finally managed to get across the finish line. Eventful rally so far of me and the team and I am just happy to make to the end of it. »
Provisional Results of the Stage 4
1. Paulo Goncalves, Hero MotoSports Team Rally, 03h 37m 11s
2. Ricky Brabec, Monster Energy Honda Team, +58s
3. Andrew Short, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing, +01m 30s…
11. Joaquim Rodrigues, Hero MotoSports Team Rally, +09m 15s…
27. C S Santosh, Hero MotoSports Team Rally, +01h 04m 34s…
Provisional Overall Results after Stage 4
1. Andrew Short, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing, 15h 45m 25s
2. Pablo Quintanilla, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing, +28s
3. Ricky Brabec, Monster Energy Honda Team, +02m 06s…
13. Paulo Goncalves, Hero MotoSports Team Rally, +47m 48s…
15. Joaquim Rodrigues, Hero MotoSports Team Rally, +57m 28s…
25. C S Santosh, Hero MotoSports Team Rally, +04h 24m 30s…
Press Release,