The first of the four days of the 27th RN 1500 Rally was overcome by the riders of the Honda Racing team. This Tuesday (4/8), after the Prologue, in Caruaru (PE), the participants on the motorcycles faced a 325 km route, including 231 timed, heading to the city of Cabaceiras (PB). Mountain crossings, winding and fast stretches and the Sertão do Cariri were part of a varied itinerary.
In his debut with the team and in the Brazilian Rally Raid, Frenchman Romain Dumontier, with the Honda CRF 450RX, was the second fastest in the Moto 1 category and third overall, despite some setbacks. Second to start, he caught up with the rider who started ahead of him and started to lead the way. "My first stage in a Brazilian rally and it was a special day. I led the way for a good part of it and, in the last 40 km, I had to slow down a bit, since I practically lost my rear brake."
Also in Moto 1, Martin Duplessis, on another CRF 450RX, came in third. The Argentinean is in fourth place in the overall standings. "It was a very good day, I led the first part of the special, I had a fall on a winding section with very smooth ground and lost some time, but I managed to complete it. The feeling on the bike is very good, I am quite comfortable and confident to attack on this second day."
In his first experience in the sport, Bruno Crivilin had a learning stage. Earlier, he was the fastest in the Prologue. In the special, he once again achieved a great performance and, despite a penalty caused by missing a waypoint, something expected for those taking their first steps in rallying, he finished second in Moto 2 and sixth overall. "I'm happy with my debut. I started off calmer, made a small navigation error and got into the rhythm. I had a fall on a slow stretch, but I rode with a safe margin and managed to navigate well. The pace of the frontrunners is very intense. I'm going to keep pushing my limits, gaining experience", highlighted the Espírito Santo native, who also rides a CRF 450RX.
Enrolled in Moto 3, Tiago Wernersbach, on another CRF 450RX, was the fastest in the category (and eighth overall). For the also Espírito Santo native, the RN 1500 is an adaptation to the new equipment, after his fourth championship in the Moto Brasil class. "It was a good debut with the bike, a good result. I accelerated a lot and managed to complete the stage well, which is the most important thing." The Honda Racing Rally team is sponsored by Pro Honda, Honda Seguros, Axalta, DID, NGK, Ogio and ASW.
The 27th Rally RN 1500 continues this Wednesday (4/9) with a 281km stage (218 of which are special stages), which will take the drivers to Currais Novos, in Rio Grande do Norte. The champions will be announced in São Miguel do Gostoso (RN), on Friday (4/11).
27th Rally RN 1500
Brazilian Rally Raid - first race
Results (unofficial)
First day (top three)
Overall Motorcycles
1st - Adrien Metge #1 - 3h28min40
2nd - Gabriel Bruning #5 - 3h30min13
3rd - Romain Dumontier #23 - Honda CRF 450RX - Honda Racing - 3h32min04
4th - Martin Duplessis #3 - Honda CRF 450RX - Honda Racing - 3h33min00
6th - Bruno Crivilin #11 - Honda CRF 450RX - Honda Racing - 3h34min56
8th - Tiago Wernersbach #7 - Honda CRF 450RX - Honda Racing - 3h37min26
Artificial / Automatic translation
Source: Honda Brazil
Photo: Marcos Leite/DFotos
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