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It was another day of triumph for Paulo Goncalves in the Rally Dos Sertoes, which saw the Team HRC rider very focused on achieving victory in the final part of the race. Helder Rodrigues finished the stage in sixth place. With just one stage remaining in the Rally Dos Sertoes –the fifth race so far in the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship- reigning champion Paulo Goncalves continues to fight nail and tooth in each stage to hold on to his position as world’s number one. Today’s stage was without the usual link, which meant that the bikes were against the clock from the minute that they headed out of the parc fermé. The stage passed first along an old railway line full of loose rocks requiring a lot of demanding navigation. It was then on to a very fast section needing special attention to the speed controls lining the course, before the route headed up some mountainous areas, along narrow rutted tracks, and passed through numerous fords. Today was another exhibition of the Portuguese rider’s handling skills, which has brought him four victories (three stage wins and the prologue) so far in the Brazilian race. But it proved to be far from easy. ‘Speedy’ set out to catch up with Jean Azevedo, from the Honda Brazil team, but found himself facing a wall of dust that made overtaking near impossible. In spite of this, Goncalves pushed hard and managed to whittle several minutes off the deficit with overall race leader Marc Coma, reducing his advantage to 4 minutes 36 seconds. Paulo will be aiming to win the Sertoes, and to do so, he will be battling every inch of the way, as he did in last year’s edition. Helder Rodrigues is aiming for a podium place, although he lost some time today in one of the race’s tougher sections; a stretch that proved difficult to reduce the gap with Jean Azevedo, who managed to finish the stage as runner-up. Helder was nevertheless, able to hold on to his fourth place in the overall standings. Tomorrow will get one more chance to attack for the podium. Paulo Goncalves 1st 2:24'25 Team HRC Today was a great special. I started from a good position and attacked right away. At kilometre 90 I caught up with Jean Azevedo. It was difficult to overtake him because of all the dust and it was very dangerous. I won the special and I closed the gap on Marc by two minutes, but winning the race will not be easy. There is a difference of four minutes, which is significant, but we have one more day of racing, and in a rally like this anything can happen. I’ll keep fighting until the end. I’m pleased that the CRF450 RALLY is working so perfectly, and it has proved its worth over every type of terrain. Team HRC has done a great job out here. Helder Rodrigues 6th +3'59 Team HRC It has been a great day for us all. It was a stage with a bit of everything; sand, rocks... a bit of navigation.... I felt pretty good and I forced it a little. At kilometre 140 we had a slow section with a lot of curves and that cost me a bit of time. I stayed focused on getting to the end. I wanted a podium place, but Jean [Azevedo] has been really good and he took two minutes off me. So tomorrow, let’s see. I’ll be doing my best to finish well. Wolfgang Fischer Team HRC Team Manager Today Team HRC finished the second part of the marathon stage in a very convincing way. Paulo was able to achieve another stage victory and closes the gap on the leader. Also, for Helder it was a great day, he was able to defend his overall fourth position. He tried to attack to get onto the podium, but his direct rival Jean Azevedo, from Honda Brazil, did a very good job. Overall, everything went well and we managed to pass the two days without major problems. It’s been a good preparation for the two final days with a last chance to attack and improve the result. Results Stage 6 Provisional after Stage 6 Tomorrow's stage STAGE 7 Saturday, August 30: Diamantina - Belo Horizonte, 336.96 km Liaison: 54.38 km - Special Stage: 125.88 km - Liaison: 151.96 km
Paulo Goncalves on the Honda CRF450 RALLY, battled to a notable victory in the fourth stage of the Rally dos Sertoes. The Portuguese rider imposed a formidable pace from the outset, clawing back precious minutes from the overall race leader. Helder Rodrigues, too, put in a convincing performance to conclude the Sertoes Rally's longest special in third place. The Rally dos Sertoes arrives at its mid-point with the race’s longest timed special, in a stage run over a variety of different types of track, amidst the distinctive reddish hue of the Brazilian terrain. Today’s stage, with a total of 363.85 kilometres, set off from Paracatu, and once the 125 kilometre link had been passed, it was pedal to the metal in the timed section - a very well-rounded special that included a narrow, hard and damaged track, that had been at the mercy of the rain and elements. The route also took in a fair amount of sand, as well as creeks and fords of varying water levels. The riders arrived in the town of San Francisco after a ferry-crossing, on the river bearing the same name; thus completing a total stage distance of 585.30 kilometres. It was first and third place for the two CRF450 RALLY riders, and the third time that Paulo Goncalves has marked the best time in the special so far in this Rally dos Sertoes. The Portuguese rider’s aim was clear - nothing less than victory – and not even a slight time-consuming error was able to dent the Honda rider’s continual will to win. In doing so, Goncalves cuts down the deficit with the leader by 1 minute 15 seconds leaving the Honda rider just two minutes adrift of Marc Coma. Helder Rodrigues performed well, taking third place and moving in on third place Brazilian Jean Azevedo, from the Honda Brazil team, who crossed the line in fourth on the day. Tomorrow sees the riders face the race’s marathon stage, the rules of which outlaw any kind of mechanical assistance at the end of the day, and where the bikes will be closed off in the parc fermé. As a consequence, preparation is of utmost importance, and likewise, it will be crucial to not run the machine too hard tomorrow. Paulo Goncalves 1st 04:24'02 Team HRC I had a great day today. I started from third place and I started to really push. Towards the middle of the stage I made a slight mistake, I momentarily lost concentration and lost a bit of time. I really forced it on the last part and made up time and won the stage. I’m really pleased for me, for the CRF450 RALLY and for all the rest of the HRC Team, which is doing a great job. We will continue to work hard over the next few days, as we are now at the half-way point. Helder Rodrigues 3rd +06'49 Team HRC Today was a very long stage with rocks, sand and hard ground... navigation and everything. It was a long day for everybody. I pushed as hard as I could and set a good pace; I had lost a bit of time at the beginning, but I kept trying to push and managed to maintain a fairly fast speed in the final part. Wolfgang Fischer Team HRC Team Manager Today the HRC Team finished the longest special of the rally with over 360 kilometres of special. Paul was able to finish the day with a win, and Helder too, was on the podium in third place. Both are fighting to improve their positions. Helder is close to the podium and Paulo too, is looking for victory. There are three days left and we hope to get a good result. The bike is running well, and the riders and the mechanics too. Everything is in good shape. Tonight the mechanics will have a lot of work to do. They will be concentrating on the bikes that will have to be ready for the two days of the marathon stage that await. That means that from tomorrow, until the day after tomorrow, it will be forbidden for the mechanics to help. The riders will be alone in the camp, and the bikes in the parc fermé without the mechanics. Results Stage 4 Provisional after Stage 4 Tomorrow's stage STAGE 5 - MARATHON STAGE - Thursday, August 28: Sao Francisco - Diamantina, 645.44 km - Liaison: 223.57 km - Special Stage: 335.98 km - Liaison: 85.89 km
Reigning world champion Paulo Goncalves finished the third day of Brazil's Rally dos Sertoes with a third place finish, and holds on to second spot on the overall leader-board. Likewise, Helder Rodrigues performed well today, climbing one place in the overall standings. It had been a tricky day at the Rally dos Sertoes for Team HRC, who managed to turn out a positive result, with Paulo Goncalves riding a commendable stage after starting out from the front after yesterday’s victory. The Portuguese rider made it to the half-way point without being reached by his adversaries. Today’s stage, featuring a timed section of 209.86 kilometres over a mainly rocky course, but also included a lot of loose gravel and stretches of harder surface, which allowed the riders to raise the pace considerably. The ride also took in a lot of navigation as the route wound through rural villages, eucalyptus plantations, and included the speed checks which have become a constant feature in these races. Paulo Goncalves skilfully handled the Honda CRF450 RALLY, always attentive to not lose precious seconds, and concluded the race with the day’s third best time behind the race winner and Honda Brazil’s Jean Azevedo. 'Speedy' is consistent in the second place in the overall. Helder Rodrigues, Goncalves’ sidekick at Team HRC, rode a fine special, finishing in fourth place. ‘Estrelinha’ thus climbs a place on the overall leader-board. The two will be looking to better themselves in tomorrow’s fourth stage, between Paracatu and Sao Francisco, as the riders prepare to face 363.85 kilometres of timed special – the longest of the whole race- in a stage that totals 585 km. Paulo Goncalves 3rd +2'40 Team HRC Today was a good day’s race. I started out from the front and finished ahead too, opening the track the whole day. I lost a little time, but that’s normal. Tomorrow, I start from third position and have 360 km to make up time. I hope to be able to ride hard without making mistakes to make up some time and get up to the front of the race. Helder Rodrigues Helder Rodrigues 4th +3'07 Team HRC Today we ran the longest rally so far. It was a very picturesque stage passing through some nice areas, but with a lot of navigation and some difficult track. Finally I managed to do a good job and finished fourth, that keeps me in with a chance in the overall standings. Paulo had a great stage, as did Jean. The three of us together are doing good work in the race, and we have to thank Honda for all its support. Wolfgang Fischer Team HRC Team Manager Today was stage three of the Sertoes Rally. Paulo Goncalves opened the track and also finished ahead of the field. In the end he had a nice third position overall, not losing too much time. Also, Helder got a very good result in fourth, moving up in the overall positions. Now we are coming to the most decisive stages with 330 kilometres tomorrow, and 350 km the following day. We are in a good position to attack, and everything is working well. The bike is running really well so we are happy. We are very motivated too, and have everything in hand to attack over the next few days for the final result. Results Stage 3 Tomorrow's stage STAGE 4 - Wednesday, August 27: Paracatu - Sao Francisco, 585.30 km Liaison: 135.24 km - Special Stage: 363.85 km - Liaison: 86.21 km
A second victory for Paulo Goncalves and Honda CRF450 RALLY in teh Rally dos Sertoes. After taking first place in the prologue, Team HRC rider rode the fastest time today in a much shorter than scheduled second stage. Due to hazardous conditions on the race route, including narrow stretches and poor ground, the second stage of the Rally Sertoes was shortened quite radically from the originally-planned 155.65 kilometre stage. This put a damper on Team HRC’s chances of narrowing the deficit with the race leader. Paulo Goncalves, who started out from third place on the day, had hoped to whittle down the gap with the front runner, who set off ahead. In spite of the changes to the original schedule, Paulo managed a fast, yet comfortable ride, reducing the gap with the overall leader to just 39 seconds. A very focused Helder Rodrigues tried to avoid any navigational errors, due to flaws in the road-book, which eventually left him conceding several seconds to his adversaries. Tomorrow Helder will start from behind and it will be full gas for the Honda CRF450 RALLY in an attempt to recuperate time and get back up among the top positions. Another noteworthy performance was displayed by Honda Brazil’s Jean Azevedo, taking second final place in the stage and third overall. Paulo Goncalves 1st 00:45:37 Team HRC Today I set a really good rhythm on the bike. I was able to keep up a really quick and constant pace. However, the organization shortened the route and we competed over a 70 kilometre course, which meant that I was unable to make up much time. I would have been able to win the stage and pull back. I’m very close at just one minute 47 seconds behind the leader overall. I’m closing in, and tomorrow I’ll try and do it again. Helder Rodrigues 6th +02'51 Team HRC The second day has been a really different one, with the special being reduced by quite a few kilometres. It was a short day, but the with different navigation from yesterday’s. Not so demanding, but very fast. I lost a bit of time, and tomorrow I’ll be starting from further back, so I’ll be attacking and trying to get back in the top places. Wolfgang Fischer Team HRC Team Manager It’s the second day of the Sertoes Rally which finished with another victory. Paulo Goncalves took the win and has shortened the gap with the overall leader, so they are very close together. Also, Helder had a very constant race. Unluckily, the stage was shortened tremendously to only about 70 kilometres from the original -which was over 200- because of a problem with the track. For that reason the riders didn’t have more kilometres to be able to make up more time. Anyway, tomorrow will be a similar stage like today’s, and a new chance to attack. Results Stage 2 Tomorrow' stage STAGE 3 Tuesday, August 26: Catalao - Paracatu, 360.45 km Liaison: 22.2 km - Special Stage: 209.86 km - Liaison: 128.39 km
Team HRC riders Helder Rodrigues and Paulo Goncalves finish in second and third respectively and establish themselves up in commanding positions at the first full stage of the Rally dos Sertoes. It may have only been the first of the seven scheduled stages Rally dos Sertoes, but the Honda CRF450 RALLY already occupies two of the top three spots in the race. On a day which saw the riders head out from Goiania with destination Caldas Novas, on some very speedy and pot-holed track, Helder Rodrigues and Paulo Goncalves finished high on both the stage and overall leader-board. It was a stage that required the utmost prudence, with a broken, dust-filled Brazilian course booby-trapped with every kind of unpredictable hazard. The real danger today came from the large amount of pot-holes littered throughout, which can prove lethal when taken at high speed. Paulo Goncalves chose to start from third place, behind team-mate Helder Rodrigues and Brazilian Jean Azevedo -runner-up in yesterday’s prologue- who open the way today. The world champion was forced to stop and check on a minor problem, losing time in doing so to the race’s eventual leader Marc Coma. Helder was, on this occasion, Team HRC’s best rider, and rode the Honda CRF450 RALLY to second place at the chequered flag, 1’17 behind the winner, and now lies in second in the overall standings just ahead of Goncalves, who, in spite of having to stop during the special, came in just two minutes behind the race leader. Helder Rodrigues 2nd +1'17 Team HRC We have just disputed the first of the Sertoes specials, and I think that it has been a good day for us. I finished second which is a great result for me. I haven’t taken part in this race for seven years. I think that the first two days have gone great. Let’s see how it goes over the next few. At the end of the day, I’m second in the overall standings and Paulo is third, but the important thing is that we are in with a chance of winning the rally. Paulo Goncalves 3rd +2'19 Team HRC Today the first stage of the rally was held. At the beginning of the stage I had to stop to sort out a minor problem and I lost a bit of time, though not too much, and I’m pleased that I managed to finish in third place overall. I’ll keep battling for victory. Tomorrow is another day and we need to be very focused for the next six days of the race. Wolfgang Fischer Team HRC Team Manager Today we finished the first special of the Rally in Caldas Novas, after 154 km of special test. It was quite technical, with a lot of navigation and hard terrain. Both riders did a very nice job finishing second and third overall. Paulo had a little problem at the beginning which he stopped to fix. Nothing dramatic. We will be in contention tomorrow, and hope to get an even better result. Results Stage 1 Tomorrow's stage STAGE 2 Monday, August 25: Caldas Novas - Catalao, 260.36 km Liaison: 39.54 km - Special Stage: 202.23 km - Liaison: 18.59 km
Team HRC and Honda CRF450 RALLY get off to a fine start in Brazil's Rally dos Sertoes, as Paulo Goncalves wins the prologue and Helder Rodrigues takes fifth place. It was a noteworthy display from Team HRC as the Rally dos Sertoes got underway, with Paulo Goncalves and Helder Rodrigues finishing the prologue in top positions in a race against the clock over a distance just shy of 10 kilometres. Victory, in a very quick and surprise-free prologue, allows Paulo Goncalves to choose tomorrow’s starting position in first full stage, which sets out from Goiania and winds up in Caldas Novas, 216.21 kilometres later. 155 km will be against the clock. Helder Rodrigues crossed the finish-line just 24 seconds behind his fellow-countryman in fifth position, which also sets the rider up for a good starting position tomorrow. The fine performance of the Honda Brazil team, should be highlighted, with Jean Azevedo scoring the second best time and Julio Zavatti, ninth. Paulo Goncalves 1st 06'01 Team HRC I’m very pleased because I’ve won the prologue in the Rally Sertoes. Tomorrow sees the first long special at 160 kilometres. I hope to be on form and be in the running for the victory as this rally means a lot to me. Helder Rodrigues 5th +00.24 Team HRC Today is the first day of the race for us. It was a very short 10 kilometre special, and a very important one, as everyone was looking for a good position so as to avoid the dust tomorrow. That’s why it is so important to be in the best starting positions and keep pushing throughout the race. Wolfgang Fischer Team HRC Team Manager Today Team HRC began the Rally Sertoes in good form. Paulo Goncalves won the Super Especial of only 10 kilometres, and Helder Rodrigues finished well in fifth place. We are in the position to choose the starting-order tomorrow. ?The Honda Brazil team, who have been the best hosts, have also done a great job, and Jean Azevedo finished in second place. We have great opportunities and are very motivated ahead of tomorrow’s long first stage Results Prologue Tomorrow' stage STAGE 1 Sunday, August 24: Goiania - Caldas Novas, 216.21 km Liaison: 40.5 km - Special Stage: 155.65 km - Liaison: 21.06 km
Paulo Goncalves returns once more to one of his prefered battle-grounds, a terrain which proved to be crucial in the 2013 World Championship: the Rally dos Sertoes. Victory in the Brazilian GP marked an important step towards gaining the world title, and paved the way for Paulo Goncalves to subsequently take the title in Morocco. Last year, the Brazilian Rally “dos Sertões” (‘rally of the inland regions’) turned out to be one of the most decisive in the 2013 championship. It was a cool-headed Paulo Goncalves, who handled the difficult course, and made the most of opportunities, leading to a crucial victory as he closed the gap on overall leader Marc Coma. Later in the Morocco Rally, the Portuguese rider aboard the new Honda CRF450 RALLY, sealed his place as the new FIM World Cross-Country Rallies champion. The Team HRC rider Paulo Goncalves will thus be sporting the number one on the Honda CRF450 RALLY in a race that will bring back some thrilling memories for the Portuguese rider, for it was there that ‘Speedy’ rode to his first championship win, after a hard-fought rally and a display of strength and reliability. Paulo Goncalves and Hélder Rodrigues are set to be the Team HRC starters for this edition of the Sertoes 2014, as the victorious Honda CRF450 RALLY –winner in Abu Dhabi and Qatar-, returns to action. This comes after the team was unable to use the machine in the Italian race due to its particular characteristics. Goncalves arrives in Goiania in third place in the overall standings of the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship, just seven points behind overall leader Marc Coma. Hélder Rodrigues lies in fifth overall position. As had been previously planned at the beginning of the season, Joan Barreda continues his program of preparation in Spain ahead of the next Dakar. The race gets underway this Saturday 23rd August, with a 10 km prologue in the Goiania Autodrome Ayrton Senna. The first of seven stages will be disputed on Sunday. The Rally dos Sertoes comes to a close in Belo Horizonte on Saturday 30th after some 2,600 kilometres, of which 1,545 are against the clock. Paulo Goncalves #1 Team HRC The Rally dos Sertoes was, for the team and I, a decisive race in last year’s world championship, and I hope we can get another positive result and fulfil our aims once again this year. I will be looking to cut down the gap in the World Championship. It’s a race that I’m really attracted to, as it is a beautiful course; although it’s a shorter one this time around, so we’ll have to really work at it. The team is doing a fine job and the bike is super-competitive, so we’ve just got to get out there and fight for the victory. Helder Rodrigues #4 Team HRC I’ve been training really hard out in Tunisia since the beginning of August, where I was able to do a lot of mileage, which will be very important for this stage and for the races that await us in the coming months. The Rally dos Sertoes is a long, hard and technical race, and it will be important to ride well, as it is very similar to the first part of the Dakar. I believe that we have distinct possibilities and that we will be in the running for the victory. Martino Bianchi Team HRC General Manager In the Rally dos Sertoes, Team HRC returns to the competition with the Honda CRF450 RALLY with which we won the first two rallies of the World Cross-Country Rallies Championship in 2014. It’s a very important race to be able to put the bike’s development to the test, as well as for our rider’s preparation for the Morocco Rally in October, and the next Dakar 2015. Paulo Gonçalves will be defending the number one on his bib, in the Sertoes Rally, that proved to be such an important step in winning the championship last time. Alongside him will be fellow-Portuguese team-mate Hélder Rodrigues. Meanwhile, Joan Barreda, who will not be taking part in the championship programme, will continue with his preparation in Spain, for the next Morocco Rally. Wolfgang Fischer Team HRC Team Manager After an excellent start in the 2014 race season, with double victory at the first two rounds of the World Championship in Abu Dhabi and Qatar, and a competitive, but not so lucky race in Sardinia, Team HRC is set to realize another top result at round 4 in Brazil. This race is very special, as Paulo Goncalves celebrated in Brazil his first victory one year ago, and set the base for his later World Championship title. Rally Dos Sertoes is always a special challenge, very competitive and many kilometres in the Brazilian semi-desert. Even though it is 3 days shorter this year than usual, we expect a tough and demanding competition for our starters, Helder Rodrigues and Paulo Goncalves, and will try to defend last year’s victory and stay in competition for the world title. World Championship Provisional Standings Share |
Rally
dos Sertoes Stage 6 29/08/2014 Brazil Diamantina > Brazil Diamantina
Total: 204.29 km Special stage: 178.87 km
