 Desafío
Inca 2018
2018 Season Stage 3
Paulo Gonçalves clinches the 2018 Desafio Inca
With steady, efficient riding and good sensations astride the Honda CRF450
RALLY, Paulo Gonçalves took victory as the Desafio Inca concludes in Ica,
Peru. This is the third consecutive triumph for the Monster Energy Honda Team
in South America this month.
Monster Energy Honda Team’s Portuguese rider Paulo Gonçalves took the
top honours in the 2018 Desafío Inca. The final 180-kilometre stage was a
highly productive one for Paulo, who held a solid, error-free pace and was
able to catch up the preceding riders. Gonçalves crossed the line in Ica with
the best time of the day sporting a three minute-advantage over the nearest
rival.
It is the team’s third victory in as many races, all disputed in South
America within a single month, following the victories of Kevin Benavides in
the Atacama Rally and Gonçalves, once again, in the Desafío Ruta 40.
José Ignacio Cornejo finished in fourth place in spite having finished the
final special stage in tenth spot. Kevin Benavides, the winner of yesterday,
was forced to endure the handicap of opening the track. Nevertheless, the
Argentine navigated without mistakes to finish the race in sixth place.
American Ricky Brabec, fifth today, climbed to eighth position in the final
overall leader board.
The next appointment of the Monster Energy Honda Team will be the Morocco
Rally, fifth and final round of the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World
Championship to be held in the African country from October 3rd to 9th.
 Paulo
Goncalves - Stage: 1st FINAL: 1st
We have finished this important test here in Peru, the Desafio Inca. It went
very well because we won the race. Today I had a starting position that could
have complicated things, but Kevin did very well opening the track. I was able
to push a lot and those behind weren’t able to catch me. I am happy for
myself and for the team. This was a race with riders with a very good pace.
You have to stay attentive and not relax. The most important part is still to
come.
Kevin Benavides - Stage: 8th FINAL: 6th
I'm very happy. I think we had great team work. I started first in this last
stage and I also reached the finish line first, although I think they almost
caught me at the end. I feel like I won, I had a really good stage opening the
track. Paulo was able to take advantage of that, and was able to keep a good
pace. Congratulations to the team for the work and the victory.
Ricky Brabec - Stage: 5th FINAL: 8th
Today was another fast day. The navigation was like every other day but there
were a lot more WPS, WPMs so a lot more arrows, which made it a little easier.
Today the goal for me was just to finish and learn from the mistake that I
made yesterday. Today was a good day – I finished fifth on the day and
eighth overall. For sure there’s more room for improvement but I’m looking
forward to Morocco which is more like home.
José Ignacio Cornejo - Stage: 10th FInal: 4th
We finished the third and final day in Desafío Inca. I finished fourth and it
was a positive race, where we were able to test the speed with the fastest
riders. It has been a good preview for what is coming in January. I'm happy
for the pace and the navigation. I was close to the podium and it leaves a bad
taste, but it gives more motivation to continue working to be able to occupy
the positions in front in the coming races.
Final results Desafio Inca 2018
1 Goncalves Paulo POR Monster Energy Honda Team 10:08'13
2 Walkner Matthias AUT Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team +2'51
3 Short Andrew USA Husqvarna Factory Rally Team +8'24
4 Cornejo José Ignacio CHI Monster Energy Honda Team +10'02
5 Van Beveren Adrien FRA Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team +10'56
6 Benavides Kevin ARG Monster Energy Honda Team +11'04
7 Caimi Franco ARG Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team +13'20
8 Brabec Ricky USA Monster Energy Honda Team +28'30
9 Price Toby AUS Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team +29'09
10 Santolino Lorenzo SPA Sherco TVS Rally Factory +36'59
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