Good results for the two Monster Energy Honda Team riders making first contact with the terrain as the Andalucian Rally prologue gets underway. Barreda, second and Quintanilla, ninth, will be looking to capitalize on the good sensations felt aboard the Honda CRF450 RALLY once again in tomorrow’s stage.
Motorcycle engines have roared into life in Villamartín, Andalucia. The tiny Spanish town has seen its usual peacefulness somewhat altered as it hosts the timed prologue of the Andalucía Rally. The eight-kilometre curtain-raiser was enough to allow the riders to let rip as the rally headed off along the tracks of Cadiz.
Monster Energy Honda Team’s Spanish rider Joan Barreda, sporting the number 88, finished a mere second behind the prologue’s fastest rider, which will allow him to start tomorrow’s stage from a favourable position. Pablo Quintanilla, the team’s latest signing, got off to a fine start with a top ten finish, posting ninth place, some 27 seconds adrift of Joaquim Rodrígues, the rally’s first leader. The Chilean made a cautious start and will take the opportunity to bond with his new bike.
Tomorrow, Wednesday, sees the first full stage of the Andalucía Rally, consisting of a total 219-kilometre trek, including 177 against the clock. The start and finish will both be held in Villamartín.
Joan Barreda – Prologue: 2nd Standings: 2nd : « It was a short stage, a fairly technical prologue with some dangers due to the rain over recent days. It was not easy, but we tried to set a good pace, without making any mistakes. Tomorrow the rally starts more seriously and it will be important over the opening kilometres, to get some good feelings with this type of terrain and the navigation involved. »
Pablo Quintanilla – Prologue: 9th Standings: 9th : « Estoy contento con estos primeros kilómetros de carrera con la moto, he tenido buenas sensaciones. Me lo tomé con calma, pensando en el día de mañana para tener una posición de salida cómoda. Estoy feliz de verme cómo voy encima de la moto, contento, y fuerte, también. »
Rider Standings – Provisional Standings after Prologue
1. Rodrigues Joaquim – POR – Hero Motorsports Team Rally, 6’13
2. Barreda Joan – SPA – Monster Energy Honda Team, +0’04
3. Bühler Sebastian – POR – Hero Motorsports Team Rally, +0’08
4. Caimi Franco – ARG – Hero Motorsports Team Rally, +0’20
5. Santolino Lorenzo – SPA – Sherco TVS Rally Factory, +0’48
6. Cerutti Jacopo – ITA – Solarys Racing, +0’48
7. Doveze Mathieu – FRA – Nomade Racing, +1’36
8. Pedrero Joan – SPA – Shad / LS2, +1’48
9. Quintanilla Pablo – CHI – Monster Energy Honda Team, +1’48
10. Brabec Jan – CZE – Strojrent Racing, +2’08…