Kings of labyrinth

Two special stages on the third stage. Both of about one hundred kilometers. The first is the historic Special Stage of Grighine, drawn for the first time by Bike Village and, this year, also used by the WRC that overlaps the Sardinia Rally Race. That’s why Sardinia is now the “fastest island of the planet"! The "Grighine" is a hell of navigation, a real maze of groomed trails. The second special stage, called "Tonara", is most scenic through three valley. Sardinian sweets aside, the third stage of the Sardegna Rally Race is rather ... harsh. Less long and difficult than the previous one, but still very challenging, we would say crucial, for navigation.

It is no coincidence that once again that the difficulties of correctly interpreting the road book, while maintaining a high pace, is the discriminating factor of this Rally, so strongly competitive and intense, dominated by a straordinary atmosphere of uncertainty.

Let's say that, in general, all participants in the Sardegna Rally Race have passed the exam, but admit that not all did so with flying colors. Two episodes, in fact, stopped for a long moment the breath of the protagonists of the Rally, and fortunately the skill of both has limited the damages.

In the first special stage, won by the stubbornly young Spaniard Monleon, was very risky for the King of the Cross-Country, Marc Coma. Monleon, the Rider finally declared the winner of the first stage after the revision of the tracks had taken the primacy to Gonçalves. "King" Coma, however, made a little misstep early in the PS, misinterpreting a note of the road book and leaving on the track more than eight minutes. Not cheap, not so much, but it is certainly not the ideal situation. On the other hand, Coma is the strongest champion of the world...

On the second special stage, the Tonara, the best was Gonçalves. The Portuguese Rider, very strong and partly unfortunate in this edition of the Sardegna Rally Race, proves to have a sensational determination. Finally Gonçalves beats Austrian Walkner and compatriot Rodrigues. But the thrill of the crucial second special stage went to Alexander Botturi. The Italian Champion made a mistake. Deviated slightly from the track indicated by the road book, Botturi found his way barred by a gate. Immediately Botturi went back on the right track, loosing a few minutes, but not too many. Thanks to the total time of its third stage, the Giant of Lumezzane retains the leadership of the eighth Sardegna Rally Race, 17 seconds ahead the revelation of Rally, Mathias Walkner, and almost three minutes ahead Monleon.

End of the stage, but the effort is not finished. Riders are only at half of the marathon stage. They will live the magic of the camp at the Sanctuary of Sa Itria, around the fire and sleeping in the tent, but without assistance, and will continue tomorrow, bearing San Teodoro.