Rodrigues And Van Beveren On The Attack During Stage Two At Morocco Rally

2016-10-04 23:37
Delivering committed performances over the OiLibya Morocco Rally's stage two, Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team riders Hélder Rodrigues and Adrien Van Beveren reduced their gaps to the top to place sixth and seventh respectively in the provisional overall standings. Continuing his solid run during his first competitive outing as part of the Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team, Australian Rodney Faggoter finished the stage 13th.

Entering the Moroccan dunes for the first time at this year's rally, stage two played host to the first leg of the two-day-long marathon stage. Taking advantage of their good starting positions both Rodrigues and Van Beveren went on attack mode as soon as they entered the day's shortened special stage. Crossing the finish line fifth, Rodrigues gained an impressive five spots in the rally's overall rankings where he currently sits sixth.

Looking to make the most of this event to further improve his navigational skills, Van Beveren reached the marathon bivouac at the end of stage two having posted the sixth fastest time of the day. After two stages in this rally, the French rider is seventh in the overall standings, less than nine minutes behind the provisional leader.

Gaining valuable racing time aboard his WR450F Rally Rodney Faggoter spent the day closely following his Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team partners. Wrapping up the stage 13th the Australian is 18th in the overall standings with three stages to go.

With a stone damaging his bike's sprocket while contesting the day's special stage, Alessandro Botturi was unable to finish. Claiming 10th in today's special stage Yamaha supported Frenchman Xavier de Soultrait remains 10th in the event's overall standings.

The end of stage two sees the Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team riders spend the night at the marathon bivouac where they have to perform all maintenance on their WR450F Rally bikes without external assistance. Set to kick off early tomorrow morning, stage three features a timed special of 315 km in a total distance of 390 km until the end of the day.

José Leloir - Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team manager José Leloir, Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team manager
"Overall, it was a good day for us. Taking advantage of their starting positions this morning both Hélder and Adrien pushed hard and managed to move up the rankings. They finished fifth and sixth and within five minutes of today's winner, which is really good in such a long special. The two of them along with Rodney reached the marathon bivouac, where they'll spend the night. As they're not allowed any external assistance, they readied their bikes for tomorrow alone. We'll be waiting for them at the end of the next stage. All three of them are feeling good for tomorrow. The only drawback from the day was the fact Botturi was unable to finish. A stone got mangled in his sprocket creating irreparable damage and forcing Alessandro to stop. We're waiting for him to return to the bivouac so he could start the next stage."

OiLibya Morocco Rally 2016 - Stage 2 Results
1. Paulo Goncalves (POR), Honda, 02:01:11
2. Ricky Brabec (USA), Honda, 02:03:36, +02:25
3. Sam Sunderland (GBR), 02:05:01, +03:50
4. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 02:05:14, +04:03
5. Hélder Rodrigues (POR), Yamaha, 02:06:36, +05:25
6. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA), Yamaha, 02:06:47, +05:36
…
10. Xavier de Soultrait (FRA), Yamaha, 02:11:06, +09:55
13. Rodney Faggotter (AUS), Yamaha, 02:18:56, +17:45

OiLibya Morocco Rally 2016 - Provisional Classification After Stage 2
1. Paulo Goncalves (POR), Honda, 03:40:45
2. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 03:41:30, +00:45
3. Ricky Brabec (USA), Honda, 03:42:45, +02:00
4. Sam Sunderland (GBR), KTM, 03:42:51, +02:06
5. Kevin Benavides (ARG), Honda, 03:44:50, +04:05
6. Hélder Rodrigues (POR), Yamaha, 03:49:18, +08:33
7. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA), Yamaha, 03:49:44, 08:59
…
10. Xavier de Soultrait (FRA), Yamaha, 03:53:17, +12:32
18. Rodney Faggotter (AUS), Yamaha, 04:14:16, +33:31

Source: Yamaha Motor Europe N.V.

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