It’s a rollercoaster of a day for the Monster Energy Honda Team
Rally of MoroccoAn unfaltering fight back from Honda’s Tosha Schareina saw him the fastest rider at the end of the third stage of the Rallye Du Maroc today for the Spaniard to enjoy the thrill of taking a record equalling tenth World Rally-Raid Championship stage win of the season.
However, joy turned to disappointment for Schareina with a post stage time penalty following GPS analysis of his progress through a neutralised zone.
The route of the longest day of this year’s Rallye du Maroc headed out of Zagora into the Oriental region but unlike the previous stages, the rain had not made as much of an impact on the route. 327km of timed special awaited the competitors as the stage made its way north via the breathtaking Merzouga and Erg Chebbi dunes, which rise over 500 feet at their peak. It was going to be as spectacular to ride as they were to see, especially as the recent rainfall had created glimmering lakes that nestled in amongst the dunes. With half of the stage made up of stony tracks caution was still advised as riders headed to the final destination of Mengoub Bouârfa.
With a total of 687km to cover today, competitors were up early before a 221km road section before the start line where Schareina, was first off the line at 8am. He didn’t quite get the start he’d hoped for as a navigation mistake just 6km into the stage saw him leapfrogged by teammate Adrien Van Beveren, leaving the Spaniard to concede nearly four minutes. Undeterred, he pushed on towards the second refuelling stop, where he received time bonuses for reaching the bonus waypoints first to then give Schareina just a 22 second deficit to then stage leader Daniel Sanders.
Schareina carried on fighting hard to the finish line where his grit and determination had paid off to be quickest by 52 seconds. However, after the organisers had analysed Schareina’s GPS, he was found to have left the mid-stage neutralisation zone too early and was given a 13 minute time penalty which dropped him down to fifth today and second overall.
With two stages remaining, Adrien Van Beveren isn’t giving up in the title fight just yet and took a spirited second place finish. Although nearly five minutes behind his teammate, today’s result has moved him up from fifth to third overall and with scenes reminiscent of Saudi Arabia’s Empty Quarter coming up on the last two stages, this terrain will favour the Dakar 48 Hour Chrono winner.
With a better set up on his Honda CRF450 RALLY, Pablo Quintanilla was on a charge from the off posting the quickest time 33km into the stage. After a committed ride through the Merzouga dunes, his consistent pace paid off with the third fastest time of the day.
The penultimate stage tomorrow loops around Megoub Bouârfa with 315km against the clock as the route takes them west wards from the Algerian border where the desert terrain will make riders feel like they’re back at the Dakar. This will be a good warm up for the 47th edition of the famous rally that takes place in January.
Today was another long day for the riders and the team as we left Zagora. Tosha started first today as he won yesterday, but he made a navigational mistake at 6kms in and he lost some time. After that he made good pace and was riding very well until 104 kms where there was a neutralisation zone. The countdown from the road book for exiting the neutralisation was not clear for Tosha which meant he did not stay in the neutralisation zone for the required time. In the end this is the word of Tosha against the word of the organisers but at the moment Tosha has accepted the penalty. We know as a team he rode exceptionally well today and that’s something he can take forward towards the final two stages.Adrien started well and did great navigation with good pace but over the last part was strewn with many stones and tracks where he did not feel so comfortable, so he lost a little time compared with Tosha and Daniel Sanders. Pablo was similar to Adrien too with great speed but he lost a few seconds here and there at the end.This has been the story of the day but I am a little bit disappointed with the result for Tosha as this is the first race with the new digital roadbook that is integrated with the GPS. There were problems yesterday with this system too and the organisation have recognised this, while today similar problems may have appeared but the organisation have taken a different stance resulting in Tosha losing the lead of the rally.The race continues so we will fight again tomorrow as this race is not over with many kilometres still to go as we focus on the win.
Today was another long day for the riders and the team as we left Zagora. Tosha started first today as he won yesterday, but he made a navigational mistake at 6kms in and he lost some time. After that he made good pace and was riding very well until 104 kms where there was a neutralisation zone. The countdown from the road book for exiting the neutralisation was not clear for Tosha which meant he did not stay in the neutralisation zone for the required time. In the end this is the word of Tosha against the word of the organisers but at the moment Tosha has accepted the penalty. We know as a team he rode exceptionally well today and that’s something he can take forward towards the final two stages.Adrien started well and did great navigation with good pace but over the last part was strewn with many stones and tracks where he did not feel so comfortable, so he lost a little time compared with Tosha and Daniel Sanders. Pablo was similar to Adrien too with great speed but he lost a few seconds here and there at the end.This has been the story of the day but I am a little bit disappointed with the result for Tosha as this is the first race with the new digital roadbook that is integrated with the GPS. There were problems yesterday with this system too and the organisation have recognised this, while today similar problems may have appeared but the organisation have taken a different stance resulting in Tosha losing the lead of the rally.The race continues so we will fight again tomorrow as this race is not over with many kilometres still to go as we focus on the win.
Well the first part of the stage was really fun to ride, there were some fast pistes in the valleys, with mixed terrain alternating between hard pack and sandy sections. Then we got to the classic Merzouga dunes which were really fun to ride until the refuelling. After that we started with the rocky section in the hard packed piste and I was pushing and feeling quite good. Then in the rocky sections it was a bit dangerous and I didn’t want to take any risks. I’m feeling better on the bike day by day with a good setup, so I’m happy.
Well the first part of the stage was really fun to ride, there were some fast pistes in the valleys, with mixed terrain alternating between hard pack and sandy sections. Then we got to the classic Merzouga dunes which were really fun to ride until the refuelling. After that we started with the rocky section in the hard packed piste and I was pushing and feeling quite good. Then in the rocky sections it was a bit dangerous and I didn’t want to take any risks. I’m feeling better on the bike day by day with a good setup, so I’m happy.
Today I had a good stage, I was in Tosha’s dust for a while, then Daniel Sanders caught me so I spent half of the stage in a lot of dust. It was a bit frustrating to not be able to push in my own rhythm but I then focused, accepted the situation and kept more or less the same distance to Daniel. The last part was really stony but I enjoyed the ride, the bike is really safe and this is an important factor in this race because there is a lot of dangers and risk. I felt comfortable, I had good rhythm without the need to go faster than normal, so now I will remain focused for the next couple of days.
Today I had a good stage, I was in Tosha’s dust for a while, then Daniel Sanders caught me so I spent half of the stage in a lot of dust. It was a bit frustrating to not be able to push in my own rhythm but I then focused, accepted the situation and kept more or less the same distance to Daniel. The last part was really stony but I enjoyed the ride, the bike is really safe and this is an important factor in this race because there is a lot of dangers and risk. I felt comfortable, I had good rhythm without the need to go faster than normal, so now I will remain focused for the next couple of days.
I made a big mistake six kilometres into the stage so I then had to try and fix something on my bike which meant I lost a bit of concentration and around four minutes in time. Adrien was coming and I tried to chase him, I then passed him and continued to push during the rest of the stage. Daniel is putting a lot of pressure on, so with two more days to go I will keep focussed and go for it.
I made a big mistake six kilometres into the stage so I then had to try and fix something on my bike which meant I lost a bit of concentration and around four minutes in time. Adrien was coming and I tried to chase him, I then passed him and continued to push during the rest of the stage. Daniel is putting a lot of pressure on, so with two more days to go I will keep focussed and go for it.
Rally GP Results - Stage 3
Pos. | Rider | Num | Nation | Team | Constructor | Time/Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | SANDERS Daniel | AUS | KTM Factory Racing Team | KTM | 03:27:03 | |
2 | VAN BEVEREN Adrien | 42 | FRA | Monster Energy Honda Team | Honda | + 04:21 |
3 | QUINTANILLA Pablo | 7 | CHI | Monster Energy Honda Team | Honda | + 08:49 |
4 | BENAVIDES Luciano | 1 | ARG | KTM Factory Racing Team | KTM | + 09:01 |
5 | SCHAREINA Tosha | 68 | SPA | Monster Energy Honda Team | Honda | + 12:08 |
6 | SANTOLINO Lorenzo | 15 | SPA | Sherco TVS Rally Factory | Sherco | + 13:21 |
7 | EVAN BRANCH Ross | 16 | BWA | Hero Motorsports Team Rally | Hero | + 17:07 |
8 | CORNEJO FLORIMO José Ignacio | 11 | CHI | Hero Motorsports Team Rally | Hero | + 25:53 |
9 | MAIO Antonio | 30 | POR | Franco Sport Yamaha Racing Team | Yamaha | + 54:02 |
Rally GP Provisional Standings after Stage 3
Pos. | Rider | Num | Nation | Team | Constructor | Time/Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | SANDERS Daniel | AUS | KTM Factory Racing Team | KTM | 09:27:08 | |
2 | SCHAREINA Tosha | 68 | SPA | Monster Energy Honda Team | Honda | + 11:26 |
3 | VAN BEVEREN Adrien | 42 | FRA | Monster Energy Honda Team | Honda | + 14:21 |
4 | BENAVIDES Luciano | 1 | ARG | KTM Factory Racing Team | KTM | + 16:12 |
5 | QUINTANILLA Pablo | 7 | CHI | Monster Energy Honda Team | Honda | + 16:30 |
6 | EVAN BRANCH Ross | 16 | BWA | Hero Motorsports Team Rally | Hero | + 28:16 |
7 | SANTOLINO Lorenzo | 15 | SPA | Sherco TVS Rally Factory | Sherco | + 39:00 |
8 | CORNEJO FLORIMO José Ignacio | 11 | CHI | Hero Motorsports Team Rally | Hero | + 48:27 |
9 | MAIO Antonio | 30 | POR | Franco Sport Yamaha Racing Team | Yamaha | + 01:51:17 |
