Currais Novos (RN) - The four drivers of the Honda Racing team will set off on Friday (11/4) for the fourth and decisive stage of the RN 1500 Rally with victory in their sights. After the penultimate day of the competition, on Thursday (10/4), with a special stage of 178 kilometers (261 km in all) around Currais Novos (RN), the team occupies the top four places in the overall standings, with Martin Duplessis in the lead. It also leads the Moto 2 category, with Bruno Crivilin, and Moto 3, with Tiago Wernersbach.
Crivilin has once again attracted attention for his rapid adaptation to rallying, a discipline in which he is making his debut at the RN 1500. After topping Moto 2 the day before, the Espírito Santo rider, on a Honda CRF 450RX, won the third day in all categories. As well as topping the Moto 2 table, his performance earned him third place in the overall standings. “It was a shorter special than the others, but very technical and complete. I was very happy with my performance and the result, I made very few mistakes and rode within a safe margin, I'm still learning. The team has been working very well, the bike is perfect and the aim is to finish without any problems. I'll be the first to start and on a day with CAP navigation, which is something new for me, but I'm excited,” said the 12-time Brazilian Enduro champion.
Third fastest on the day, Duplessis took the lead both in the overall standings and in Moto 1, with another CRF 450RX. “I kept up a strong, fast pace, the race was very technical and required a lot of riding,” said the Argentinian, who will be defending his lead on terrain he is well used to. “We'll have sand ahead of us, I really enjoy riding on this type of terrain. I'll stay focused to maintain my position and take Honda Racing to the top of the podium.”
His main opponent in the fight to win the RN 1500 is teammate Romain Dumontier, also on a CRF 450RX. Owner of a world title in the Rally 2 category, the Frenchman is covering his first kilometers in rallies in Brazil and is still adapting to the type of terrain and characteristics. He's in second place overall and in Moto 1. “I didn't manage to maintain the ideal pace on this third stage, but I've been consistent and I'm going to attack on this last day to try and win,” he warned.
The team's representative in Moto 3, on another CRF 450RX with which he is competing for the first time, Tiago Wernersbach continues to lead the category and is now fourth overall. “I really enjoyed the stage and my riding. I made a few navigation mistakes, but every day I'm evolving and getting used to the speed of the equipment. I have a lot of confidence for the last day and I'm going to do everything I can to finish well.”
The champions of the 27th RN 1500 Rally will be known at the end of a 231 km timed stage (316 in total) that will link Currais Novos to São Miguel do Gostoso, on the Potiguar coast. The sandy stretches will be an extra challenge for the drivers. The event is valid as the opening of the Brazilian Rally Raid Championship and as the second stage of the FIM Latin American Championship
The Honda Racing Rally Team is sponsored by Pro Honda, Honda Seguros, Axalta, DID, NGK, Ogio and ASW.
27th RN 1500 Rally
Brazilian Rally Raid - first race
Results (unofficial)
Standings after three stages (top three)
General Motorcycles
1st - Martin Duplessis #3 - Honda CRF 450RX - Honda Racing - 9h57min54
2nd - Romain Dumontier #23 - Honda CRF 450RX - Honda Racing - 9h58min33
3rd - Bruno Crivilin #11 - Honda CRF 450RX - Honda Racing - 9h59min44
4th - Tiago Wernersbach #7 - Honda CRF 450RX - Honda Racing - 10h08min20
Automatic translation
Source: Honda Brazil
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