VIDEO: Good performance by Monster Energy Honda Team in Qatar

2017-04-25 07:25
Monster Energy Honda Team continue to make satisfactory progress in the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship as the results from the second round in Qatar improve on those previously obtained in Abu Dhabi.

The second race in the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship disputed in Qatar this weekend has closed with Monster Energy Honda Team on the rostrum. The Qatar Rally – renowned for its tough navigation – once again put the duo through their paces over five gruelling stages, both of whom finished in top positions. Portuguese rider Paulo Gonçalves finished runner-up overall and Argentine Kevin Benavides, fifth.

Improving on the previous race performance, Gonçalves consistently maintained a swift pace, clinching second place overall, which leaves the team stalwart in third spot in the championship standings. His Monster Energy Honda Team companion Kevin Benavides continued with his battle to get back to full strength after last December’s unexpected wrist injury. In his second race back, Benavides even managed to open the track and was clearly starting to feel comfortable again aboard the Honda CRF450 RALLY. The machine had performed well in far-from-easy terrain with scorching temperatures and hard track that made a particularly tough test for the engine’s power and the performance of the suspension.

Next, for the team, comes a series of tests in California, U.S.A. for several of the Monster Energy Honda Team riders. Subsequently Joan Barreda and Michael Metge will defend the Baja España title in July. The third round of the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship will take place in August with the Atacama Rally in the Chilean desert.




Final results Qatar Rally 2017

Pos. Rider Num Nation Team Time/Gap
1
SUNDERLAND
Sam GBR KTM Factory Racing Team 15:50'18
2
GONCALVES
Paulo POR Monster Energy Honda Team +7'42
3
WALKNER
Matthias AUT KTM Factory Racing Team +13'11
4
QUINTANILLA
Pablo CHI Husqvarna Factory Rally Team +15'02
5
BENAVIDES
Kevin ARG Monster Energy Honda Team +17'48
6
RENET
Pierre-Alexandre FRA Husqvarna Factory Rally Team +20'01
7
MEO
Antoine FRA KTM Factory Racing Team +2:18'25
8
ALBALOOSHI
Mohammed UAE Ride to Abu Dhabi Team +3:34'36
9
TOMICZEK
Adam POL KTM Orlen Rally Team +4:33'25
10
GIEMZA
Maciej

Source: Honda Racing Corporation

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