Stage two of the Afriquia Merzouga Rally brought the Hero MotoSports Team Rally another rock-solid day in the heat of the Moroccon desert. Joaquim Rodrigues consolidated his position in the overall standings, his team-mate CS Santosh moved into the top twenty.
The day was marked by two special tests, making the riders race 181 kilometres against the clock. Altogether 340 km of distance had to be covered. Rally rookie Rodrigues showed he´s a quick learner in the second part of the second special, when he was held up by dust from competitors in front of him. “J-Rod” took no risk, remained patient and got on the gas when the circumstances allowed to.
Joaquim Rodrigues, Hero MotoSports Rally team rider said,
“It was better than yesterday, I didn´t really get lost and finished the race pretty good. I´m happy because with each stage I understand better how this rally thing works. Now it´s about learning more and more and place my Hero well in the standings.”
Rodrigues was handed a 30-minute penalty on Monday evening after it had become clear he missed a waypoint during stage one.
Wolfgang Fischer, Hero MotoSports team’s Managing Director said,
“Today was one of the longest days of the rally,” offered India´s motorsport star CS Santosh. “My navigation was good in the dunes. I paid close attention to the roadbook and that went alright. I got a little lost on two occassion, but the overall feeling remains very positive.”
“On days like these it´s important to stay concentrated,”
“Our riders did a good job and there´s no reason not to be pleased. Tomorrow is the first part of the marathon stage, meaning the bikes can only be serviced by the riders on a very basic scale. I´m confident our boys are mentally and physically ready for the second part of the rally. Obviously there are no worries whatsoever regarding the bikes.”
Provisional Results Stage 2
1.Gerard Farres Guell, SPA, KTM 4:51:45 hrs
2. Adrien van Beveren, FRA, Yamaha +1:18 min
3. Stefan Svitko, SVK, KTM +1:33
4. Kevin Benavides, ARG, Honda +2:25
5. Helder Rodrigues, POR, Yamaha +4:19
11. Joaquim Rodrigues, POR, Hero +26:35
21. CS Santosh, IND, Hero +49:59
Provisional Overall Standings
1. Svitko 7:45:25 hrs
2. Farres Guell +3:37 min
3. van Beveren +3:51
4. Helder Rodrigues +4:50
5. Benavides +5:25
11. Joaquim Rodrigues +1:18:40
18. CS Santosh +1:45:10
News Source: Hero MotoCorp Press Release
