Qatar Cross Country Rally
Saturday 22 April
Fifth stage: Losail - Losail
Connection: 92,74 km - Special: 343,32 km - Connection: 96,66 km - Total: 532,72 km
The final stage of 343,32 km of the Qatar Cross Country Rally was probably the most difficult of the week and was won by Pablo Quintanilla (Husqvarna) in the motorcycle class and the Peruvian Alexis Hernandez in the quad competition. After five days of fighting for the overall honours of this second round of the 2017 FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship it was Sam Sunderland (KTM) who was triumphant and whom seems invincible this year and, in the quad class Rafal Sonik (Yamaha) was the worthy outright winner. This fifth and final special stage started in the north-east of the country, not far from the Al-Zubara Fort and then followed the sea before heading south and finishing on the beach at Sealine. Sam Sunderland opened the special stage and arrived first: "It was another very difficult day because once again the navigation was very complicated. But I am happy because no rider has caught up with me and it is very positive for my self-confidence. This victory in Qatar is a good thing because it was a very hard race. Now we have a little rest before going to Chile for the third round of the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship! " The Dubai-based British man finished the rally with a lead of 7'42 over Paulo Gonçalves (Honda) and 13'11 over his team-mate Matthias Walkner (KTM). "For this last stage, I did my job trying to beat my opponents," said Paulo Gonçalves (Honda). “I am on the second step of the podium, it was a great satisfaction because I gave the best throughout the race and the bike was perfect. We have to stay focused on the job and I will try to be better for my next race! " In the quad class, Rafal Sonik (Yamaha) returned with the victory after his disappointment in Abu Dhabi. "I suspected that this race would not be easy because I have some tough opponents this year: Alexis Hernandez and Kees Koolen. Yesterday I had big problems with my suspension arm and almost lost a wheel but the other riders also had their share of worries and finally I won the race for the first time in Qatar! " Second was the Peruvian, Alexis Hernandez who had recovered from his troubles of yesterday and won the last stage, ranking second overall: "Today was even more difficult than yesterday," he says, “But I was better in navigation. It was even hotter than the other days but the last 30 miles of dunes were fantastic! I am second in the quad class and really happy with this position because it was a very hard race! " The next round of the 2017 FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship will take place in August in Chile: the Atacama Rally, followed by the Ruta 40 in Argentina, the fourth event of the Championship. Provisional classification of SS5Motorcycles
1. Pablo Quintanilla (CHL) Husqvarna 450 Rally 3hr 46min 55sec
2. Paolo Gonçalves (PRT) Honda 450 CRF Rally 3hr 47min 03sec
3. Matthias Walkner (AUT) KTM 450 Rally 3hr 49min 47sec
4. Hannah Montana (FRA) Husqvarna 450 Rally3hr 49min 56sec
5. Sam Sunderland (GBR) KTM 450 Rally 3hr 51min 55sec
6. Kevin Benavides (ARG) Honda 450 CRF Rally 3hr 52min 44sec Quads
1. Alexis Hernandez (PER) Yamaha Raptor 700R5hr 01min 33sec
2. Rafal Sonik (POL) Yamaha YFM 700 R 5hr 04min 36sec
3. Kees Koolen (NLD) Barren Racer One 690 5hr 07min 26sec
4. Rodolfo Schippers (GUA) Yamaha Raptor 700R 5hr 50min11sec Provisional general classificationMotorcycles
1. Sam Sunderland (GBR) KTM 450 Rally 15hr 50min 18sec
2. Paolo Gonçalves (PRT) Honda 450 CRF Rally 15hr 58min 00sec
3. Matthias Walkner (AUT) KTM 450 Rally 16hr 03min 29sec
4. Pablo Quintanilla (CHL) Husqvarna 450 Rally 16hr 05min 20sec
5. Kevin Benavides (ARG) Honda 450 CRF Rally16hr 08min 06sec
6. Pierre Alexander Renet (FRA) Husqvarna 450 Rally 16hr 10min 19sec
7. Antoine Meo (FRA) KTM 450 Rally 18hr 07min 43sec
8. Mohammed Al-Balooshi (ARE) KTM 450 Rally Replica 19hr 24min 54sec Quads 1. Rafal Sonik (POL) Yamaha YFM 700 R 21hr 20min 19sec
2. Alexis Hernandez (PER) Yamaha Raptor 700R 22hr 04min 06sec
3. Kees Koolen (NLD) Barren Racer One 690 22hr 16min 50sec
4. Rodolfo Schippers (GUA) Yamaha Raptor 700R 24hr 26min 35sec
5. Camelia Liparoti (ITA) Yamaha Raptor 700 R 55hr 35min 00sec
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