 
2015 Cross Countries Rally Round 6 , Stage 5
Goncalves clinches the final special stage and earns a
podium place and bronze medal
Paulo Goncalves finished the OiLibya Morocco Rally on a high: winning the
special and taking a place on the final podium. The Portuguese rider rewards
Team HRC’s effort and secures a medal in the FIM Cross-Country Rallies
World Championship in the process.
Paulo Goncalves once again showed what a gutsy rider he is. After seeing
his chances of winning in the OiLibya Morocco Rally go up in smoke, the Team
HRC ace set out this morning intent on finishing the race on a positive
note. His self-belief paid off in a very complete rally which took the Honda
CRF450 RALLY through a navigation-filled and hazardous stage where Goncalves
scored the day’s best time. This is the second win for Goncalves; enough
to earn a final podium place as well as a bronze medal in the FIM
Cross-Country Rallies World Championship.
Paolo Ceci takes a positive account away from his first race with Team
HRC. The Italian got himself acquainted with the bike and completed the
final stage with a swifter pace. Ceci concludes the Morocco Rally in ninth
position.
It was also a hugely positive participation for the Honda South America
Rally Team in the OiLibya Morocco Rally. With Team HRC supplying the
technical and logistic support, Kevin Benavides made a giant leap into the
world championship finishing up among the sport’s elite. He proved by far
the best debutant in the rally. Today Benavides stopped to help Chilean
Quintanilla, who had an accident and had to be airlifted to safety by
helicopter. It is likely that he will be reinstated with the time lost and
could move up from the fifth overall place he currently occupies at the
moment of writing this press release. Brazilian Jean Azevedo, finally
managed to find the right settings and was far more at ease on the machine.
Jean finishes the rally just four minutes off the top ten riders.
Yesterday Joan Barreda underwent a thorough medical after the fall in the
fourth stage, but has been given the all-clear after tests failed to find
any traumas or injuries. The Spanish rider will be ready to roll for next
January’s Rally Dakar 2016.
Paulo Goncalves - STAGE: 1st FINAL: 3rd
We have finished the final race of the world championship, the final test
before the Dakar. The final evaluation isn’t a very satisfying one for me,
because personally I made some mistakes. On the fourth day, when I hit a
rock and broke the petrol tank and the fuel pump, I also lost a lot of time
and was unable to win it - which I would have liked. The positive thing is
that we were very fast and the only thing that we can add to that is
consistency. Third place in the 2015 world championship is great, as are the
two stage wins here in Morocco and the final podium place. Team HRC has done
a really good job and in this final race things have improved a lot. We have
to follow this line if we want the results to come.
Paolo Ceci - STAGE: 12th FINAL: 9th
It was a very nice special stage which you had to pay attention as there was
a lot of navigation. There was every type of terrain. I’m happy because
when I arrived at refuelling I had already passed Cerutti, who was ahead of
me in the overall. I’m also very pleased with the way things have gone and
the teamwork that we have done with me as the “new-boy”. I’m very
happy about Kevin’s race, which was great and also for Paulo’s win today
and the podium. Let’s hope Joan will be back soon. See you at the Dakar!
Kevin Benavides - STAGE: 8th FINAL: 4th
I’m very glad to have finished the Morocco Rally. I happy to have
completed my first world championship race in a positive way! I went from
very little to a lot as far as getting used to the bike and navigation was
concerned. Today, specifically, was a very complicated day. At the start of
the special I helped Pablo Quintanilla who had a bad accident and stayed
with him until the helicopter arrived. After I continued down the very
winding track that was easy to get lost on. It was complicated. But I was
able to make it to the end and I’m very pleased to have finished the race.
Many thanks to all at Team HRC, Honda South America, MEC Team and also to my
family and friends who always support me. Thanks to everyone.
Jean Azevedo - STAGE: 14th FINAL: 11th
In the end this race has been great for training. It has been the first time
that I have raced on the new Honda CRF450 RALLY, on a bike that initially
was prepared for Metge. My confidence on the bike got better and better, of
course. The feelings I had at the beginning have improved and I found a set
up of the suspension thanks to the help that the head of Showa brought to
the race. I want to thank Honda, HRC and Honda Brazil for having given me
the chance to race here. It has been a great workout and now we can think
about the next one: the Dakar.
Results Stage 5
1 GONCALVES Paulo POR Team HRC 3:35'00
2 RODRIGUES Helder POR Yamaha Racing +5'46
3 WALKNER Mathias AUT KTM Red Bull Rally Factory +6'48
4 SUNDERLAND Sam GBR KTM Red Bull Rally Factory +10'35
5 PAIN Olivier FRA Nomade Racing +10'37
6 MEO Antoine FRA KTM Red Bull Rally Factory +11'15
7 DE SOULTRAIT Xavier FRA Yamaha Racing +12'52
8 BENAVIDES Kevin ARG Honda South America Rally Team +13'17
9 PEDRERO Joan SPA Sherco Rally Factory +14'05
10 FARIA Ruben POR Husqvarna Factory Rally Team +15'07
11 SANZ Laia SPA KTM Factory Racing Team +15'21
12 CECI Paolo ITA Team HRC +17'37
13 DUCLOS Alain FRA Sherco Rally Factory +22'39
14 AZEVEDO Jean BRA Honda South America Rally Team +23'50
15 CERUTTI Jacopo ITA Husqvarna Factory Rally Team +31'31
Rider Standings
Final Results OiLibya Rally of Morocco 2015
1 SUNDERLAND Sam GBR KTM Red Bull Rally Factory 15:38'00
2 WALKNER Mathias AUT KTM Red Bull Rally Factory +00'34
3 GONCALVES Paulo POR Team HRC +29'08
4 BENAVIDES Kevin ARG Honda South America Rally Team +47'38
5 FARIA Ruben POR Husqvarna Factory Rally Team +56'38
6 PAIN Olivier FRA Nomade Racing +59'24
7 PEDRERO Joan SPA Sherco Rally Factory +1:01'34
8 DE SOULTRAIT Xavier FRA Yamaha Racing +1:40'35
9 CECI Paolo ITA Team HRC +1:57'17
10 CERUTTI Jacopo ITA Husqvarna Factory Rally Team +2:01'09
11 AZEVEDO Jean BRA Honda South America Rally Team +2:05'16
2015 Cross Countries Rally Round 6 , Stage 3
Win for Paulo Gonçalves and a one-two for Team HRC in
Morocco Rally third stage
Honda CRF450 RALLY riders Paulo Gonçalves and Joan Barreda pulled off an
excellent double in the third stage of the OiLibya Morocco Rally which was
fought out in the M’hamid loop. The Spanish ace retakes the top of the
overall leaderboard.
Team HRC have made it to the halfway stage of the rally in upbeat mood
after clinching the top two finishing spots, a move that also sees the team
back at the head of the overall standings.
The M’hamid desert region to the south of Zagora, bore witness to a
battle in the OiLibya Morocco Rally from which the Honda CRF450 RALLY crew
emerged victorious. Paulo Gonçalves was the fastest over the 274 kilometre
special stage. The Portuguese rider, forging a cracking pace, was clearly
coming to grips with the bike in a performance which shaved various minutes
off the rivals ahead in the general rankings.
Joan Barreda joined team-mate Gonçalves on the stage podium as he
reinstates himself at the head of the overall table with a near four-minute
surplus over the closest rival. The forthcoming stages will prove vital for
the Spaniard’s aspirations.
Italian Paolo Ceci started the third day from back positions which meant
having to deal with a dust cloud throughout the early part of the timed
section and therefore he was unable to take maximum advantage of the Honda
CRF450 RALLY. Yesterday, race organisers had given back the ten-minutes
which Ceci lost after stopping to aid a rider involved in an accident.
A magnificent performance from Argentinean Kevin Benavides in M’hamid
who finished the stage in sixth position. As a result Benavides, Honda South
America Rally Team rider, becomes the race’s top debutant and rises to
sixth overall place.
Jean Azevedo seemed to be coming to terms with the new bike over all
kinds of varied terrain: track, sand, dunes and even a rock-filled final
stretch and moves up to thirteenth place in the general standings.
TOMORROW’s STAGE
STAGE 4 : ZAGORA – AGADIR
– LIAISON 348 KMS – STAGE 293 KMS
After three days in the heart of south Morocco, West Cap will take the rally
caravan to Agadir. There will be many parallels tracks with a lot of
navigation that will lead competitors across an oasis. Attention to the Road
Book will be needed as it’s a dangerous route. Then, the competitors
compass bearings will be set to the south as the stage passes through a very
picturesque valley.
Joan Barreda - STAGE: 2nd PROVISIONAL: 1st
Today was a day where we started from behind. The objective was to catch up
with the riders ahead. They set a very fast pace all day long, but thanks to
our concentration we were able to make it, in other words: mission
accomplished.
Paulo Goncalves - STAGE: 1st PROVISIONAL: 5th
Finally, today I had a stage without any mistakes. I set out to attack, I
made up some time and won the stage. Tomorrow will be another day, a very
important one, as I will be opening the track which is always a good thing.
I will do my best, as always, to get the best possible result, but let’s
not forget that the most important thing here is to fine-tune everything, as
this is the last test before the Dakar, so we can’t fall and pick up
injuries as we are so close to the Dakar and there wouldn’t be time to
recover.
Paolo Ceci - STAGE: 17th PROVISIONAL: 14th
It was a good stage today, very nice and I liked it a lot. There were a lot
of dunes and a good deal of navigation in the first and last parts. I didn’t
make any mistakes and I made it through to the end. I’m pleased. It was a
pity at the start because there was so much dust and I had to slow down as I
couldn’t see anything. The bike is going like a dream and I’m getting
used to it. I really happy for out team-mate’s win. Let’s keep battling
like that.
Kevin Benavides - STAGE: 6th PROVISIONAL: 6th
It was a very difficult stage with a lot of sand. 70% sand and many dunes
and some complicated navigation at the beginning and end. There were a lot
of parallel tracks which could easily confuse you so we had to stay really
focused. Luckily, everything went well without any falls or bad mistakes. I’m
feeling better and better on the bike with some great sensations.
Jean Azevedo - STAGE: 16th PROVISIONAL: 13th
Today was a day with a lot more sand than on previous days. For me it has
been great to race here with the new bike. I felt a lot better. The
following part of the stage was a lot rockier, but the day was a calm and
positive one.
Results Stage 3
1 GONCALVES Paulo POR Team HRC 2:47'20
2 BARREDA Joan SPA Team HRC + 1'18
3 WALKNER Mathias AUT KTM Red Bull Rally Factory + 3'01
4 QUINTANILLA Pablo CHI KTM Warsaw Rally Team + 5'05
5 SUNDERLAND Sam GBR KTM Red Bull Rally Factory + 7'48
6 BENAVIDES Kevin ARG Honda South America Rally Team + 16'18
7 FARIA Ruben POR Husqvarna Factory Rally Team + 18'42
8 RENET Pierre-Alexandre FRA Husqvarna Factory Rally Team + 18'56
9 DUCLOS Alain FRA Sherco Rally Factory + 19'45
10 PEDRERO Joan SPA Sherco Rally Factory + 20'25
11 SANZ Laia SPA KTM Factory Racing Team + 20'48
12 PAIN Olivier FRA Nomade Racing + 21'19
13 VAN BEVEREN Adrien FRA Yamaha Racing + 22'18
14 ALBALOOSHI Mohammed UAE KTM UAC + 22'56
15 CERUTTI Jacopo ITA Husqvarna Factory Rally Team + 27'11
16 AZEVEDO Jean BRA Honda South America Rally Team + 33'18
17 CECI Paolo ITA Team HRC + 35'38
Provisional Standings after Stage 3
1 BARREDA Joan SPA Team HRC 8:51'59
2 SUNDERLAND Sam GBR KTM Red Bull Rally Factory + 3'57
3 WALKNER Mathias AUT KTM Red Bull Rally Factory + 5'22
4 QUINTANILLA Pablo CHI KTM Warsaw Rally Team + 6'06
5 GONCALVES Paulo POR Team HRC + 6'34
6 BENAVIDES Kevin ARG Honda South America Rally Team + 42'16
7 FARIA Ruben POR Husqvarna Factory Rally Team + 43'48
8 PAIN Olivier FRA Nomade Racing + 44'51
9 PEDRERO Joan SPA Sherco Rally Factory + 48'00
10 CERUTTI Jacopo ITA Husqvarna Factory Rally Team + 1:20'13
13 AZEVEDO Jean BRA Honda South America Rally Team + 1:31'32
14 CECI Paolo ITA Team HRC + 1:36'04
2015 Cross Countries Rally Round 6 , Stage 2
Team HRC takes up positions in a tough test of
navigation
The second stage of the OiLibya Morocco Rally proved to be a far more
taxing affair with a special stage requiring deft navigational and riding
skills. Joan Barreda finished fourth and Paulo Goncalves, fifth.
The desert to the south of Zagora offered a harsh battle ground for a
second stage which had upped the ante for rider navigation in a stage with
complicated routes and way points that were hard to find.
Joan Barreda, the fastest Team HRC rider on the day, got lumbered with
the job of starting out first and soon made it evident that his pace and
navigational prowess have in no way been diminished by his absence through
injury. The handicap of opening the track turned out to be not so negative
after conceding a few minutes to rivals, although it means that he drops
from overall top-spot for the time being.
An eager Paulo Gonçalves had a rough start to the day after a
navigational error in the first part of the special meant that the
Portuguese rider saw precious time slip away. Paulo battled hard for the
remaining 200 kilometres, yet in spite of clawing back some of the lost time
remains frustrated by his earlier error. The effort did, however, move him
one place up the overall leaderboard into fifth position.
Paolo Ceci dropped several minutes although Team HRC will hope that the
organisation annuls the lost time as the Italian rider had stopped to attend
to Iván Cervantes after an accident in the stage.
Kevin Benavides and Jean Azevedo, the two riders from Honda South America
Rally Team, both had the opportunity to complete their rally mission of
improving riding and navigation skills. Both South Americans move up in the
overall standings.
TOMORROW’s STAGE
STAGE 3 : LOOP OF M’HAMID
– LIAISON 196 KMS – STAGE 274 KMS
Still a lot of sand to be expected in this third stage. The race-start of
this special will be on sinuous and sandy tracks and will take competitors
across the dunes. They will then be faced with a long stretch where speed
lovers will be able to express themselves, before getting back on to
technical and stony tracks. Be careful not to break anything! The navigation
will then cover some fast and sandy track before the final passage in the
dunes.
Joan
Barreda - STAGE: 4th PROVISIONAL: 2nd
Today was one of those days where you really enjoy being on the bike and
opening the track. I’m having a blast on the Honda CRF450 RALLY! But best
of all, I feel great to have these sensations once again with the navigation
and a good pace. In the dunes, I got it right and there were some tracks
from the other vehicles so I had to keep calm to navigate well and not get
carried away.
Paulo
Goncalves - STAGE: 5th PROVISIONAL: 5th
It was a very bad day for me. I had a good starting position but I made a
bad navigation mistake just after the special had started and I lost a lot
of time. I tried to make up the time that I had lost, but it wasn’t
enough. All the same, I’m pleased with the pace that I have had in the
race. Today we had every type of track and I’m able to cope very well in
those situations. Bad navigation, good riding. Tomorrow we will continue the
fight.
Paolo Ceci - STAGE: 28th PROVISIONAL: 20th
A tough stage, with a lot of navigation. At the start there was a
complicated point in a river which cost me a few minutes. After I tried to
keep up a good pace and I got to the dunes with a group made up of Renet,
Cervantes and Van Beveren, who were all going very quickly. I joined them
but Cervantes fell very heavily. I stayed with him to make sure that he was
fine. I lost 15 to 20 minutes but I hope that the organizers give it back to
me. The rest of the stage went well, although it was a pity about the
mistake at the beginning. The bike has been going really well and I’m
really up for the next stages.
Kevin Benavides - STAGE: 9th PROVISIONAL: 12th
A complicated stage. There was a lot of earth in the beginning and it was
hard to overtake the other riders. It was also very technical. There was a
lot of sand, dunes and some rivers. I had a great time. I improved the
rhythm because I felt a lot more comfortable on the bike that is really
going great and hasn’t given the slightest problem. It’s been fantastic.
Jean Azevedo - STAGE: 24th PROVISIONAL: 20th
It was a stage with a lot of stones, hard and broken track, some fesh-fesh
and sand. It was a bit tough as I haven’t been able to find the pace. I
still haven’t found the right sensation with the suspension and I see that
if I want to go really fast I have to take a lot of unnecessary risks. For
navigation training, it has been a good stage. Positive.
Results Stage 2
1 SUNDERLAND Sam GBR KTM Red Bull Rally Factory 2:17'37
2 QUINTANILLA Pablo CHI KTM Warsaw Rally Team +5'38
3 WALKNER Mathias AUT KTM Red Bull Rally Factory +5'55
4 BARREDA Joan SPA Team HRC +8'59
5 GONCALVES Paulo POR Team HRC +10'48
6 MEO Antoine FRA KTM Red Bull Rally Factory +14'21
7 RODRIGUES Helder POR Yamaha Racing +15'06
8 BOTTURI Alessandro ITA Yamaha Racing +15'54
9 BENAVIDES Kevin ARG Honda South America Rally Team +16'15
10 PEDRERO Joan SPA Sherco Rally Factory +18'03
11 PRICE Toby AUS KTM AUS Rally Factory +18'15
12 ALBALOOSHI Mohammed UAE KTM UAC +18'37
13 FARIA Ruben POR Husqvarna Factory Rally Team +20'13
14 VILADOMS Jordi SPA KTM Red Bull Rally Factory +20'19
15 PAIN Olivier FRA Nomade Racing +20'30
24 AZEVEDO Jean BRA Honda South America Rally Team +35'23
28 CECI Paolo ITA Team HRC +51'10
Provisional Standings after Stage 2
1 SUNDERLAND Sam GBR KTM Red Bull Rally Factory 6:00'48
2 BARREDA Joan SPA Team HRC +2'33
3 QUINTANILLA Pablo CHI KTM Warsaw Rally Team +4'52
4 WALKNER Mathias AUT KTM Red Bull Rally Factory +6'12
5 GONCALVES Paulo POR Team HRC +10'25
6 RODRIGUES Helder POR Yamaha Racing +11'31
7 MEO Antoine FRA KTM Red Bull Rally Factory +12'34
8 PRICE Toby AUS KTM AUS Rally Factory +13'30
9 VILADOMS Jordi SPA KTM Red Bull Rally Factory +23'47
10 PAIN Olivier FRA Nomade Racing +27'23
11 BENAVIDES Kevin ARG Honda South America Rally Team +29'49
16 AZEVEDO Jean BRA Honda South America Rally Team +1:02'05
20 CECI Paolo ITA Team HRC +1:14'17
Rally OiLibya du Maroc - 2015 Cross Countries Rally Round 6 , Stage 1
Joan Barreda starts the OiLibya Morocco Rally with a
win
The final race of the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship got
underway in Zagora today with a tricky special stage for all the fastest
competitors. Joan Barreda chalked up the first victory. Paulo Gonçalves
took up a position among the top group, which could prove crucial in the
forthcoming stages.
Team HRC got the show on the road for the sixth and final date in the
Cross-Country Rallies calendar and leads the scoreboard. Joan Barreda was
back in action with a bang after setting a cracking pace in a far-from-easy
stage, as the riders had it tough in the dust cloud generated by the
front-running participants, with visibility being reduced to near zero.
Intense downpours over recent days caused river water levels to rise and
led race organizers to shorten the previously planned route. As a result the
route which was set to include 330 kilometres of special ended up with 370
km in total to avoid the previously mentioned dangers.
The Barreda win highlights some of the more positive aspects of the team
after the rider had had to sit out three months through injury, which meant
not being able to board a bike. The Spaniard showed himself to be
comfortable on the bike, scoring a great triumph in the process.
Paulo Gonçalves and Paolo Ceci endured serious visibility issues due to
the dust coming up from the hard track. To catch up with the slower riders
ahead proved to be more difficult than previously expected; to overtake was
even harder. In spite of this, the Portuguese rider was able to post a sixth
final place, conceding little time to adversaries whilst doing so. Italian
rider Ceci decided to take no chances with the high level of hazards around
and rode a steady race.
The Honda South America Rally Team riders finished among the day’s top
twenty. Jean Azevedo was the first away at the start line this morning in
Zagora, which affected his performance, finishing 19th overall. Kevin
Benavides’ world championship debut, backed by Team HRC, offers hope for
the future with the Argentinean taking 13th place on the day.
TOMORROW’s STAGE
STAGE 2 : LOOP OF THE DRÂA
– LIAISON 141 KMS – SPECIAL STAGE 224 KMS
Many sand and dunes for this 2nd stage! The race departure will be on
fast and sinuous tracks across a beautiful, long valley. Navigation will be
the priority of the special. A lot of care will have to be taken with the
parallel paths. To get to the CP2, it will be necessary to cross some
amazing dunes. To finish, competitors will pass through the Oued of Draa
along kilometres of fast tracks. Pay attention to the hidden traps in the
road book.
 Joan
Barreda - STAGE: 1st PROVISIONAL: 1st
For me it was a good day. I started out from behind but I had to be really
careful with all the dust generated up ahead. I went very slowly in some of
the early parts of the special. The positive thing is that I kept calm as
there were areas where I could have attacked. In the end, in spite of losing
a bit of time trying to get past other riders, we were able to get a good
result. A great start to the rally.
 Paulo
Goncalves - STAGE: 6th PROVISIONAL: 6th
Today was a long and hard day that I am happy with. I started a long way
back. I lost a lot of time trying to overtake the others, which took me 60
kilometres. I lost a bit of time. Further on with less danger, I was able to
pass some of the riders and make it up a bit. But one thing is for sure: it
was a bad day to start off behind. On the other hand the bike is running
really well which is the most important thing for us. We have just decided
on the set up for the next great adventure.
Paolo Ceci - STAGE: 15th PROVISIONAL: 15th
It was a nice stage, long but difficult. The main problem was the dust which
for those of us starting from behind was very complicated and made passing
other riders very insecure. I lost a lot of time on that. But I’m quite
pleased because the sensations were good and today it was important to not
make any mistakes and keep a good pace to be up alongside the team-mates.
Kevin Benavides - STAGE: 13th OVERALL: 13th
It was a hard race. The terrain was hard with a lot of rocks. I spent
half the race trying to get past people, with a load of dust and very little
visibility. I had to reset the road-book at refuelling because so many
stones it came off and I wasn’t able to rely on it. Luckily, I continued
and arrived without any setbacks.
Jean Azevedo - STAGE: 19th PROVISIONAL: 19th
It was a good special stage even though I had to start first. I was opening
the track for about 70 km. It was a day to get used to the feel of the bike.
I will try and improve the suspension which I find a bit hard for my taste,
but it was a good day for training for the Dakar.
Results Stage 1
1 BARREDA Joan SPA Team HRC 3:36'45
2 PRICE Toby AUS KTM AUS Rally Factory +1'41
3 RODRIGUES Helder POR Yamaha Racing +2'51
4 MEO Antoine FRA KTM Red Bull Rally Factory +4'39
5 QUINTANILLA Pablo CHI KTM Warsaw Rally Team +5'40
6 GONCALVES Paulo POR Team HRC +6'03
7 SUNDERLAND Sam GBR KTM Red Bull Rally Factory +6'26
8 WALKNER Mathias AUT KTM Red Bull Rally Factory +6'43
9 VILADOMS Jordi SPA KTM Red Bull Rally Factory +9'54
10 PAIN Olivier FRA Nomade Racing +13'19
11 FARIA Ruben POR Husqvarna Rally Team +15'10
12 PEDRERO Joan SPA Sherco Rally Factory +19'49
13 BENAVIDES Kevin ARG Honda South America Rally Team 20'00
14 CERUTTI Jacopo ITA Husqvarna Rally Team +28'29
15 CECI Paolo ITA Team HRC +29'33
16 VAN BEVEREN Adrien FRA Yamaha Racing +30'15
17 DE SOULTRAIT Xavier FRA Yamaha Racing +32'05
18 PIATEK Jakub POL KTM Orlen Rally Team +33'05
19 AZEVEDO Jean BRA Honda South America Rally Team +33'08
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