Knuiman claims the 4th stage. Success for the Italian duo Tonetti-Astori in SSV Polaris

2014-10-23 08:25
Stage 4 “100% Merzouga” total 230,63 km SS4 188.01
The Kasbah Said was the start of the 4th stage, maybe the most demanding stage of this 5th edition of the Merzouga Rally both in terms of navigation and technical riding. Heading south for 50 km, the competitors made a loop that brought them back to2 the Kasbah Said, after having crossed twice the Erg Chebbi, the Erg Snaguy, canyons and tracks of all kind.

Laia Sanz and Pal Ullevaalseter opened the track till km 85, when they lost time due to a problem with a way point. Meanwhile the group behind them, made of Knuiman, Aubert, Philippaerts, Arana, joined the two leaders and together they rode till the end of the stage.
According to the provisional classification it was Knuiman to claim the win (he was the fastest also on stage 1), in front of Deny Philippaerts and Txomin Arana.

It was a demanding stage also for the SSV category both in terms of riding as well as navigation. It was the Italian crew Tonetti – Astori (Polaris Pedrega Team) to win today’s stage. After the technical problems of yesterday, the Italian duo did a perfect job. Behind them in the provisional classification, the Spanish Delfi Sport team Fidel/Ventaia and the French crew Dulcos/Lichtleuchter (Polaris XtremePlus).

Johnny Aubert (Beta): “The first part of the stage was fast on a hard and stony terrain and then we found the dunes. There was a problem with the way point at km 85, so we could catch Pal and Laia that were leading. From that moment we rode together. It was good fun”.

Laia Sanz (Honda): “It was a beautiful stage with a varied terrain. Me and Pal were opening the track but when we arrived at km 85 we couldn’t find a way point and we lost a lot of time. In fact there was a problem at that way point and the time that we lost will be reduced from the total time of the stage”.

Tonetti – Astori (Polaris Team Pedrega): “A really good stage, both in terms of navigation, variety of terrains and landscape. Today we were very focused on the navigation and it was a great satisfaction to win this stage after the technical problems we had yesterday. Congratulations also to my co-rider”.

Henrichy- Bersey (Polaris – AT4R): “Today we struggled a bit with the navigation and we lost some time looking for the right direction, but all in all it was a beautiful stage. The landscape and the choice of the track were superb”.

Provisional classification bike top 10: 1. Knuiman 2. Philippaerts 3. Arana 4. Aubert 5.Ullevaalsetter 6. Sanz 7.Lamaire 8.Udry 9 Espana Munoz

Provisional classification SSV Top10: 1 Tonetti/Astori 2 Fidel/Ventaia 3 Dulcos/Lichtleuchter 4 Henricy/Bersey 5 Landanger/deblaize 6 Espugne/Martin 7 Roustan/Pernot 8 Navarro/Rivera 9 Abel O/Manez 10 Abel E/Montagne

Source: Edo Mossi Promotion

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