The second and final stage of the BAJA was held today on the same tracks as the rally. The Italian Alessandro RUOSO on No. 101 won the stage, won the Moroccan BAJA and became the winner of the World Cup FIM BAJAS, no less! A real Champion! Alessandro RUOSO :" Today it was a little difficult. Due to a technical problem on the bike I left third. Then caught up, there was a lot of dust. Today's stage was harder than yesterdays’, but just as beautiful. This is a very nice rally, technical, superb.I did all the BAJAS in the World Cup, Morocco is my favorite. I am very happy to win both the Baja and the title of World Champion. When I started in the league I did not think I would win. Iwould like to find a very good team for next year. "His compatriot Alessandro Zanotti on his TM No. 131 is in the same situation bartering his 2012,450cc title in for the one of winner of the World Cup in over 450cc in 2013. Kamil WISNIEWSKI is also the first of the quad riders with his YAMAHA No. 151. He finished third behind RUOSO and Zanotti . Like them, he won the world title here in Morocco.. The Frenchman Adrien MARE gave us a fine performance with his fourth place he has just begun competing. Marco FILLIPPINI is the first Moroccan and completes the top 5 of this second edition of “BAJA Morocco”. Andrea Mayer finished 11th overall after some navigation problems. However, she holds the victory of the World Cup FIM BAJAS in the Women’s category.
Let the fight begin!
The event is the final of the World Championship of Rallies. Suffice to say that some big players are here.
The World’s best were present and settled in the best places: Paulo GONCALVES and HONDA No 2 took third place just 19 seconds ahead of Marc Coma, KTM No 1. With only three points separating them, the Portuguese and Spanish are competing here for the FIM World title.
The surprise came from the young prodigy Joan BARREDA on his Honda No. 23. Already setting a rapid pace, 3 minutes ahead of his pursuers.
Helder Rodrigues, HONDA No. 5, and Chaleco Lopez, KTM 4 are respectively fourth and fifth place in the first stage. Alain Duclos No. 21 on his Sherco ranks a respectable eighth position. In 450 cc Bolivian Juan Carlos SALVATIERRA No. 72 takes the head of the class and makes the 16th time.
Olivier Pain finished eleventh on his Yamaha 12. The French had problems with the unwinding controls of his road book from the km 15, He had to unroll manually, in the dust and speed, let’s face it : it’s difficult!
Middle rankings: the Saint Bernard’s of the desert, those Doctors following the Enduros, bringing up the rear were super busy. And had much to do with water supplies and all kinds of things to help all these people get pass the dunes. Gilles Vanderweyen (No. 31) also took time to help his friend Ludovic ISAAC (No. 277) The “senior rider” Robert BOUVY (No. 205) also demonstrated exemplary solidarity with the Italian driver Giada BECCARI No. 52.
QUAD
Rafal Sonik on his Yamaha No 200 honours his title of world champion occupying the first place in the quad category and 21th position overall. Sébastien SOUDAY is the second just ahead of Camellia Liparoti. These three drivers allow Yamaha to monopolize the podium, provisionally, of the quad category in the OiLibya Rally of Morocco.
Orlando Terranova, Arg, Xraid team, Mini, T1, No 304 :
"It was a nice but difficult stage for navigation and we made a mistake. We will work hard to get into the perfect pace, reducing the risk, but keeping a good speed. We are pleased to have finished in a good position.”
Aidyn Rakhimbayev, Kz, Astana, Toyota, T1, No. 301 :
"This is the first day of competition and the feeling is good. This is a new car and it is also the first time I am riding with my co-pilot and this is a good result that we did. Our goal is to be amongst the best cars at the end of the rally , possibly in the top 5 "
Matthieu Baumel, Fr, Weavers Sport Offroad,T1, No. 300 :
"We came in second in the first special, which is not bad at all. We have fulfilled our aims so far. What we wanted to test, worked perfectly so it’s all very positive. At one point we got a bit lost and Orlando (Terranova) just came in fast, all we had to do is followed him until the end but it was a good first day . "
Marc Coma KTM RED BULL , No. 1 - 2nd stage 1 Motorcycle
" I felt good for the first kilometers . We did a good job on the bike, we have a good potential. After the start it was not easy I had problems in the dunes, but from then onwards it was much better and I 'm really happy. "
Paulo GONCALVES , HRC RALLY TEAM No. 2 stage 1 Motorcycle
"This rally has definitely started. There was everything in this first special stones, sand. And The pace was very fast. My goal here is to win. "
Andrea Mayer, YAMAHA , No. 103 - 11th of BAJA of Morocco
"I'm glad to be there at the finish without falling , without having serious problems. I enjoyed the dunes today, it was really great, I love the African terrain. To Get this title and win the World Cup (category women) , BAJAS brings me back some 20 years ago when I first made a bid for the women's rankings. Participating in the World Cup for me it was like putting a breakpoint in a long career. I may participate from time to time in races, but a not in a championship "
Alexander Coquide / Guillaume Maggiar , Bombardier , No. 391
"This is our first time in Morocco we know about raids but not in a competition style. Alexandre, the pilot was in a raid last year and I mentioned we should do it again but faster and here we are in the SSV category." We’re childhood friends, “am usually on a bike or quad “says Guillaume, "I could only say yes to the project." Our first goal is to finish, hoping to have solved the cooling problems that we’ve encountered. "
Juan Carlos Salvatierra, Speedbrain Rally Team Speedbrain , No. 72
" I came to the OiLibya Rally of Morocco because I participated in the W C R. My goals are to be in the top 20, to be an expert on the bike and to perform all the final testing before the Dakar. I will probably try a new suspension setting and see what to choose for next January. "
Gustavo Querales for the Pedrega Team Yamaha , No. 9 , No. 32 and No. 17
"We are Venezuelan and participating in the OiLibya Rally of Morocco for the second time . We're here to learn a little more navigation and prepare for the Dakar. We have three new bikes for our three riders and we’re testing them here. Nicolas Cardona Vagnoni is our best representative and should be included in the top five among the best riders. "
Camelia Liparoti , Yamaha ATV , No. 203
"The goal for me on this rally is to win a fifth world title. I am currently second in the championship and I hope to pass ahead before the end of this event in Morocco. I am familiar and I love the Moroccan tracks because they’re technical and the scenery is beautiful. In addition it’s good training for the Dakar, it will be my sixth. Regarding women in motorsports there is a little more in the bike than in the quad. With Emma Clair was decided to create a a new discipline: the Camellias Raid which will take place in November, and we just get women to compete. "
Communication NPO - www.npo.fr -