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Atacama Rally 2016 2016 Cross-Country Rallies Round R4 , Stage 2 QUINTANILLA MAINTAINS SLIM OVERALL LEAD AT ATACAMA RALLY Rockstar Energy Husqvarna factory rider Pablo Quintanilla maintained the slimmest of overall leads after the second stage of the Atacama Desert and goes into Thursday’s third stage with just a 10 second advantage over Australian Toby Price. Quintanilla was second home in the stage a mere one minute behind Price as the two rivals set the scene for a hard fight for the 2017 title. For Quintanilla it is a ‘home’ rally and while he is riding on familiar territory and the conditions, he also rides with the expectations of his country and this creates extra pressure. The two leaders both made a small mistake at the 354 km point in the special but both were at fault so neither gained an advantage from it. Wednesday’s stage was the longest in the 2017 edition of the rally with almost 469 km of timed special from Antofagasta to Bahía Inglesa, Copiapo as riders headed south in a big sweeping curve through the centre of Chile. It was hard, fast and exhausting, much of it at speeds around 150 km per hour, but in Thursday’s stage three there will be a change of pace. The timed special is just a shade under 203 km and they will also enter more sandy territory. Meanwhile, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Team Coordinator Daniel Trauner said Quintanilla is pushing hard and is very motivated to take the win as the two leaders become increasingly locked in battle. Quintanilla’s factory teammate Pela Renet wrapped up his second stage in eighth place just over 14 minutes off the winning paces and is also eighth in the overall standings. Pela Renet: “Another eighth place today and 14 minutes off the lead after the four hours of the special stage. It was long… and fast.” The Rockstar Energy Husqvarna riders are using the rally, the fourth round of the FIM World Cross-Country Rallies championship as part of their preparation for the 2017 Dakar Rally in January. The rally concludes on Friday after five stages. Results/Standings Atacama Rally 2016 after Stage 2 of 5
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