Day 5 of the Hellas Rally Raid 2024 marked the second day of the Marathon Stage. The race started at 8 AM from Karpenissi, situated at an altitude of 960 meters, the final destination of yesterday’s stage, and headed back to the bivouac on the seaside of Itea. On this demanding route, participants crossed peaks exceeding 2,000 meters in height, experiencing magnificent views and a variety of sceneries as they descended back to sea level.
After yesterday’s tough stage, where more than 20 participants abandoned the race, today’s stage offered no respite. Mud, dirt, and over 230 kilometers of rocky trails presented a formidable challenge to everyone’s endurance, pushing both participants and their vehicles to the limit.
The best time of the day and the first to cross the finish line was Toni Mulec from Slovakia on his Husqvarna FE 450, clocking in at 4h29:38.20. Close behind was Leonardo Tonelli on his GasGas 450, with a gap of 4:49, while just one minute behind, Minaudier Loic from France secured third place. The top three performances of the second day of the Marathon Stage were all achieved by riders in the M3 category.
In the M1 category, it was Eristi Ejder Tekin once again who achieved the best time in 5h02:27.04, while in the M2 category it was Riva Mattia in 4h48:23.92. Andrea Rocchi emerged as a leader in the M4 category, completing the special stage in 4h46:45.53, and in the M5 category, Francesco Puozzi secured the top position with a time of 5h27:44.98.
In the M6 category, Jacopo Cerutti, riding his Aprilia Tuareg 660, stood out yet again, aiming to surpass the top times set by smaller bikes. He delivered the best performance in his category, securing the fourth-best time of the day with a remarkable 4h36:56.06.
In the Quads category, Anthony Baille showcased his prowess with the Yamaha 700 Raptor, securing the fourth-best performance in this marathon stage. Impressively, for the third consecutive stage, he delivered the best performance in his category, clocking in at 4h44:48.51. Following behind, Antanas Kanopkinas demonstrated consistency with his CFMoto CForce 1000, achieving the second-best performance once again.
In the SSVs, the battle between Hugues - Delfino and Rouviere – Delfino D. persisted for the top spot in the category. The first duo achieved victory in 4h24:19.20, closely trailed by the latter with a 7-minute gap.
The two-day marathon stage of the Hellas Rally Raid consistently delivers challenging kilometers that test the riders and drivers, allowing them to showcase their abilities and skills. Ultimately, it is a combination of skills that makes performances stand out in the Hellas Rally Raid. Success depends on how well one can read the roadbook, navigate accurately without making mistakes, and proactively use riding and driving techniques to minimize vehicle damage. Participants must also know how to handle these challenges across many kilometers of dusty trails.
Text Credits: Hellas Rally Raid
Photo Credits: Actiongraphers
Video Credits: ICARUS Sports
Disclaimer:
As a service to the sport we all love and follow, Rally-Raid Network posts numerous media releases from a wide variety of sources on our website. Due to the large number, and some times short time available, it is nearly impossible to review each public release. These articles are written by reporters or press officers who work for various organizers, teams, drivers, riders, and other parties, and they do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Rally-Raid Network.