Toby Price takes the lead

RALLYE OILIBYA, MOROCCO
Monday, 3 October 2016
1st Special: Agadir - Agadir
Link section: 41 km – Special A: 70 km – neutralisation: 35 km – Special B: 50 km – Link section: 44 km - Total: 240 km

Agadir was lightly swathed in mist this morning when the 77 motorcycles set out on the road link to the start of the first Selective Section, but the sun quickly emerged to bathe the coastal desert strip in light. 

This first real Special of the Rallye OiLibya in Morocco, around the resort city of Agadir, is a loop divided into two parts, one of 70km and a second of 50km. The first selective section skirts the south facing beach on a winding track then, after a stretch overland on somewhat narrow and stony paths, returns to the coast before leaving it behind for good for the second section of the special. 

Yesterday, the first fifteen riders of the Super Special were able to choose their starting positions in today’s special. Australia’s Rodney Faggoter found himself starting out first followed by Rodrigues (Yamaha), Botturi (Yamaha), Joaquim Rodrigues (Hero), who crashed but was unhurt, and Pela Renet. It was a stressful start for a rookie who is just learning the ropes! But the Yamaha rider acquitted himself well in the navigation department, finishing 17th in the first part of the special.  

Over the two specials, Toby Price (KTM), relaxed as ever, won the stage with a lead of 54 seconds over Benavides (Honda) and 1'24 over Sam Sunderland (KTM). Brabec the American (Honda) was fourth followed by Gonçalves (Honda), Walkner (KTM), Pedrero (Sherco), Botturi (Yamaha) and Quintanilla, who was a little off the pace today and was having trouble with his suspension: “I didn’t feel comfortable on the bike”, he says, “and I found myself in the dust behind  Joachim Rodrigues. Nothing serious. Tomorrow is another day!”

At the end of the SSB, Pela Renet had to have treatment for a cut on the chin. In a curve, his Husqvarna turned over and he got a bad cut on the chin from the windshield. Despite being hurt, he made it to the finish and took 16th place. 

Overall, Toby Price (KTM) is ahead in the rally in 1'36.16 with a lead of 1'06 over Benavides (Honda) and 1'34 sur Sunderland (KTM). Brabec (Honda) is in fourth followed by Gonçalves (Honda), Walkner (KTM) and Quintanilla (Husqvarna).

In quad, the section victory goes to Sébastien Souday followed by Bruno Da Costa, who is doing pretty well for a quad tyro, and Rafal Sonik. 

Judith Tomaselli