Thursday 14 May 2015
Third Special: Tibniya - Tibniya
Link section: 0.90km – Special: 319.85 km – Link section: 25.19 km – Total: 345.94 km
The third leg of the Pharaohs’ Rally is certainly the most beautiful and varied. Juan Carlos Salvatierra (KTM), who set off in first place, rapidly made a navigating error, leaving Mohammed Al Balooshi (KTM) and Jakub Piatek (KTM) to take it in turn to find their way out front. Unfortunately, at km 261, a waypoint that was not registered in the GPS but indicated on the roadbook caused some confusion for the motorcyclists who rode round in circles for over 20' without finding it. Back at the bivouac, they filed a protest and the jury decided to deduct for all the riders their time for the 22 km or so between waypoints 28 et le 30. As a result, Mohammed Al Balooshi won again, ahead of Jakub Piatek and Diocleziano Toia (KTM), a privateer who is taking part in this third leg of the FIM Cross Country Rallies World Chamionship without assistance. “What a great day”, said the smiling Italian. “For once I didn’t break anything! I left in 4th this morning. The terrain was very varied but fast with a first band of dunes that was pretty easy. It wasn’t too hot as the sky was overcast and I even got a couple of drops of rain on my visor! The second lot of dunes were a bit harder to cross despite the hard sand but they were really beautiful. In the fast, part, though, I played my joker a couple of times. Then we all rode round looking for the way point until I had had enough, and as I didn’t want to ride in the dust, I set off. It was an incredible sensation to ride alone out in front. It was the first time in my life. Amazing! The othrs caught me up in the end, in the crops. As I left first, they gave me the win, briefly. It was a nice feeling!”
Mohammed Abu Issa (Honda) on his quad came in fourth ahead of Bolivia’s Juan Carlos Salvatierra, Rafal Sonik (Honda) —2nd in quad — Gaggiani, Chiussi, Russia’s Anastasiya Nifontova and Lecis.
Tomorrow, as the fourth leg has been cancelled by the organisers, it will be replaced by the second so the riders will have a second bite of that particular cherry.