– Jeremie Warnie and Loic Minaudier shine in the Prologue with a P2 in the T4, 8th of the general standing
Ha il – After one day of test and shakedown, action started today with the traditional podium ceremony and then a very fast Prologue of 4,08 km on a hard terrain.
It was a very good start for the three Xtremeplus crews with #408 Jeremie Warnia finishing 2nd in the T4 category and P8 of the general, Luis Henderson #409 finished 4th and P10 of the general, and Michele Cinotto #402 6th of the T4 category and P15 of the general.
The first round of the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas sees 35 machines in the provision entry list, 26 at the start. For these three days, the playground will be the Ha Il region, famous for its mix of rocks, sand and little dunes.
« It was a very good start. It was a fast prologue and we managed it well. The terrain was quite hard so we were a bit careful », said Jeremie Warnia, « this was just the start and tomorrow and after tomorrow we will continue on more sandy terrains. It is nice to be back with the Xtremeplus colours, the team did a very good job on our Polaris Pro R », said Loic Minaudier, co-driver of Jeremie, CST Polaris Xtremeplus team. « It’s nice to race two weeks after the Dakar Rally in the same terrain. »
« It’s nice to be back in Saudi Arabia, we know the terrain and the area », said Michele Cinotto, Emka Polaris Team, « we started with a good position of the prologue, which will determine the starting position for stage 1. We are here to do well », added the co-driver Maurizio Dominella.
« We love this place and we are having fun », said Maria Luis Henderson from Uruguay, « the car is new for us so we are here to learn and improve day after day », added Luis who is teaming up with Juan Carlos Carignani.
The prologue will determine the starting order of stage 1 that will kick off tomorrow in the Ha Il region. On the menu more sand and little dunes.