Hero MotoSports Team Rally have begun their campaign at the Silk Way Rally 2021 on a high with a stage win for Franco Caimi.
At the end of Stage 1 today Caimi was placed at the top of the rankings while his teammates Joaquim Rodrigues and Sebastian Buhler finished the day in fourth and sixth positions respectively.
Franco led the charge from the line, starting the stage in third place and setting the fastest time through every checkpoint, before winning the stage. Sebastian Buhler also had a good day at his first Silk Way Rally. He rode a steady race, with focus on navigation.
Joaquim Rodrigues, despite facing some issues at the start line, blazed through the stage. Putting his initial troubles aside he rode through the pack to finish the stage with the fourth best time.
The first stage today opened with a 10km bumpy ride through a military training track, which was followed by a mix of high-speed tracks. The stage was designed as a warm up for the competitors, so there were not too many tough off-road sections or difficult navigation notes in the 87 kms stage. Despite the relatively short special section, the stage was the longest of the rally, with over 580 kms of liaison, resulting in a 670 kms stage.
Tomorrow will be the last stage in Russia and then the rally will move to Mongolia. Stage 2 will open with mud tracks, and then will quickly give way to narrow tracks through the Siberian forests. Towards the end, the terrain is expected to open up with sandy tracks and gravel, allowing the riders to build up some speed.
Joaquim Rodrigues, Rider, Hero MotoSports Team Rally: « The first stage of the rally is done. I had a problem in the beginning, but I was able to fix it and start the stage. I am happy to finish the stage safely. It was a long day today with the liaison. We have nine more days in the rally, so we will see how they go. »
Franco Caimi, Rider, Hero MotoSports Team Rally: « I think we did a good job here in the first stage of the Silk Way Rally. I am really happy to bring home the first stage win for the team and myself. I felt comfortable on the bike and took care with the navigation, so it was a good day for me. I would also like to thank all the locals for the support and the great atmosphere. It is a long race, and we will keep pushing. »
Sebastian Buhler, Rider, Hero MotoSports Team Rally: « It was a nice 87 kms stage with a little bit of navigation and a few difficult-to-see tracks. The liaison after the stage was long and hard. Overall, I had a good day and looking forward to tomorrow. »
Provisional Stage 1 Standings
1. Franco Caimi, Hero MotoSports Team Rally, 00h 49m 52s
2. Ross Branch, Monster Yamaha Rally Team, + 01m 03s
3. Adrien van Beveren, Monster Yamaha Rally Team, + 01m 30s
4. Joaquim Rodrigues, Hero MotoSports Team Rally, + 01m 54s
5. Matthias Walkner, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, + 02m 33s
6. Sebastian Buhler, Hero MotoSports Team Rally, + 03m 15s