Benavides wins the prologue

Monday, 22 August 2016
Prologue 
Link section: 62.45 km – Prologue: 16.84 km – Link section: 54.82 km – Total: 134.11 km.

After the press conference and briefing in the morning, the first rider left the Enjoy Hotel at 13h40 to cross the town of Antofagasta by the coast road and make his way up into the desert in the direction of Highway 5 to reach the start of the Prologue. This first selective section of the fourth round of the FIM Cross Country Rallies World Championship, a real prologue over 17 km, complete with road book, delighted the riders, and it was Argentina’s Kevin Benavides (Honda) who came in first with a lead of 4 seconds over Toby Price (KTM) and 6 seconds over Paulo Gonçalves (Honda). Quintanilla (Husqvarna) came 4th followed by Sunderland (KTM), Brabec (Honda), Renet (Husqvarna) and Laia Sanz (KTM).

In ranking order, the riders will now choose their starting positions in the first Special tomorrow.  “This prologue was great to settle the nerves and get a feel for the terrain”, observed Pablo Quintanilla. Even though it was short, just 17 km, it was really nice going… Tomorrow is the big day.” 

Rafal Sonik was surprised not to find Chile’s Ignacio Casale at the start line. Sadly, he lacked the funds to compete. “He’s a great rider and I’d have liked to race him on his own turf”, said the Polish quad rider. “Chile is a true paradise and I love racing in the Atacama Desert”.  

Laia Sanz, in 9th, is in great form.  “It’s my first time in the Atacama Rally and I really want to get a good result, but I mustn’t forget that I am here to train and get experience as I shall be competing for the Enduro World title in three weeks’ time and I mustn’t jeopardise that. So I’ll have to keep calm, keep learning and prepare for the Dakar.” 

“The standard is high in the Atacama Rally”, says Paulo Gonçalves (Honda). “This year I don’t have the pressure of the title, so I can relax a bit, but you still have to be on your guard as it’s the most complex desert in the World.”

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