Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2017: Sam Sunderland vince la prima tappa

Dopo il prologo del sabato, si è disputata domenica la prima tappa dell'Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2017 e il pilota ufficiale della KTM, Sam Sunderland, è riuscito ad assicurarsi la vittoria per soli tre secondi sul pilota dell'Husqvarna, Pablo Quintanilla. Al terzo posto ha concluso Matthias Walkner (KTM) e al quarto Paulo Gonçalves, primo dei piloti Honda al traguardo. Di seguito potete leggere il comunicato ufficiale FIM sulla tappa.

Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge Sunday 2 April 1st stage Yas Marina Circuit Link section: 107.75 km - Special: 276.59 km – Link section: 34.62 km - Total: 418.96 km

Watch out for the heat! He chose to set out last, with the firm resolve to catch up with as many of his rivals as possible and take the advantage in this first Special, but it was not quite so easy for Sam Sunderland (KTM)! After 276 km, 90% of them through the dunes and under a leaden sun (47°C), he only managed to claw back 3 little seconds over Pablo Quintanilla (Husqvarna).

The season is shaping up to be a cliff hanger as the two men look in good shape and determined to give it their all.  But behind them, the rest of the field will not be giving them any quarter and Matthias Walkner (KTM) proved it by coming third just one minute adrift of the leading duo: “The sand was hard in places and soft in others so the terrain was not easy to read”, says the man from Austria. “I got stuck in the sand twice and lost a minute. After that it was hard to catch the other guys as they were riding together at a cracking pace.” 

In 4th position, Paulo Gonçalves was just 2’ adrift of Sunderland. “There were a lot of fast guys setting off behind me”, confides the Honda rider, “and only three of them caught me up, which is not bad. I am happy as the first special was much harder than in previous years.”

Pela Renet (Husqvarna) came in 5th followed by Benavides (Honda). “I attacked hard but the pace was very fast”, says the man from Argentina. “I had a sore wrist and I was tired as the heat was really tough to bear.” For Antoine Meo, the heat was also a big challenge. “I am not dehydrated but I really felt the heat and I am really worn out”, says the French rider. “Out in front, they were riding really fast and I don’t have the speed to compete with them, but it was a really good stage.”  

In quad, Wisniewski was the surprise winner of the Special ahead of Guillioli Schippers, Al Raaesi and the sole woman in the field, Camelia Liparoti! Rafal Sonik came to a brusque stop after CP3, his hands raised, probably on account of a mechanical problem.

- FIM Communications - Official Press Release