Speedbrain inside the top three and moving up

The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2013 remains an extreme challenge for men and machine. Following Monday´s brutal stage through the Liwa desert another very tough test awaited the riders today at this opening round of the FIM Cross Country Rally World Championship. Tuesday in the Qasr al Sarab region saw temperatures rise above 40 degrees celcius, providing more soft sand and tricky navigation as well.

Paulo Goncalves aboard his Speedbrain 450 Rally bike delivered another brilliant ride as he followed his strategy. The Portuguese had aimed to gain time on the two riders in front of him in the standings, Sam Sunderland and Marc Coma. Goncalves bravely fulfilled his mission thanks to an error-free ride, as he improved in the provisional ranks from third to second place.

Paulo Goncalves: "Today it was important to stay in touch with my main competition and make up time on Coma and Sunderland. Things went fine despite the difficult circumstances. I was able to surf the dunes perfectly and could rely on my bike. It works flawlessly and I had a lot of fun out there. There are two more days left and we have to stay concentrated. There´s not much time separating us at the front. The conditions here are very difficult for the amateurs. They have a hard time with the sand getting hotter and softer as the day goes on. The guys have to fight very hard in the blazing sunshine at noon."

Team principal Wolfgang Fischer: "It was important to ride smart and tactical today. Paulo was doing a perfect job and able to move up a spot in the classification. Congratulations to the whole team, well done."

Result Leg 3:
1. Przygonski (POL, KTM) 3h37m16s
2. Paulo Goncalves (PRT, Speedbrain) +00:01:56
3. Coma-Camps (ESP, KTM) +00:02:56
4. Ullevalseter (NOR, KTM) +00:03:00
5. Sunderland (GBR, Honda) +00:03:52

Overall Standings after Leg 3:
1. Sunderland (GBR, Honda) 7h22m08s
2. Paulo Goncalves (PRT, Speedbrain) +00:00:58
3. Coma-Camps (ESP, KTM) +00:01:17
4. Ullevalseter (NOR, KTM) +00:13:46
5. Przygonski (POL, KTM) +00:15:46