The first edition of the event to be included in the FIM calendar was run over five stages in loops around Aktau City on the shores of the Caspian Sea. The terrain was very fast, featured small dunes and was a perfect backdrop for a return to action for the riders after the Dakar.
Navigation was not easy and the Marathon stage put a strain on tyre wear, with rain on the fourth day making the ground very slippery. Despite these difficulties, Botswanan rider Ross Branch (Yamaha) managed to deliver a brilliant win. He even returned to the bivouac at the end of the second part of the Marathon stage on a wheel rim after his rear tyre disintegrated 50km before the end of the special stage!
The fifth and final stage was shortened to 158km because the gasoline truck was not on time at the refuelling point and it was impossible to organise a new start with everything managed automatically with the GPS.
Joachim Rodrigues (Hero) won the stage, finishing ahead of Branch, who arrived at the Aktau bivouac earlier than expected, delighted by his victory but worried about the state of the health of Sam Sunderland. He had fallen heavily after 18km. The Briton suffered a broken rib and a sore hand but was fortunately able to leave the hospital after being checked over.
"I'm really happy with this victory," said Ross Branch. “Especially for the team after our setbacks in the Dakar. It's a great feeling to come back to winning ways! The week was not easy but the reward was worth it!”
Matthias Walkner (KTM) led for one stage but day three’s Marathon stage got the better of his tyre foam and then a navigation error relegated him to second place. “It was a great rally for me despite the tyre problems and my navigation errors in the second part of the marathon stage. I’m really happy to be on the second step of the podium and today, as I was more than four minutes behind Ross, I didn’t want to take any chances,” said the Austrian.
Adrien Van Beveren secured the final place on the podium and another podium slot for Yamaha. “I knew today that I had to go fast because Sam was starting behind me and had the possibility of taking third place. I didn’t know he fell, we’re like a family among pilots and it’s never nice to learn that. There are now two Yamahas on the podium and I hope next time I can swap positions with Ross!"
In the quad category, the week started badly for Guatemalan Rodolfo Guillioli, who broke his collarbone in several places and had to undergo surgery. The three remaining quads rode without encountering too many problems with the exception of Aleksandr Maksimov, who caught a coil of wire in his rear wheels and wasted a lot of time solving the issue.
Dakar winner Manuel Andujar once again finished on the top step: “Really very happy to have won! We have come a long way from Argentina for this victory. It was a very tough race but I had fun!"
The next round of the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship is the Silk Way Rally and will take place in Russia and Mongolia from July 1 to 11.
Overall Bikes
1. Ross Branch (BWA) Yamaha WRF 450 14hr 39min 02sec
2. Matthias Walkner (AUT) KTM 450 Rally 14hr 44min 09sec
3. Adrien van Beveren (FRA) Yamaha WRF 450 14hr 49min 18sec
4. Daniel Sanders (AUS) KTM 450 Rally 15hr 10min 36sec
5. Andrew Short (USA) Yamaha WRF 450 15hr 11min 23sec
6. Luciano Benavides (ARG) Husqvarna HQV 450 Rally Replica 15hr 21min 30sec
7. Augusto Cabini (ITA) Honda CRF 450 RS 20hr 56min 01sec
8. Joaquim Rodrigues (PRT) Hero 450 Rally 23hr 25min 10sec
9. Franco Caimi (ARG) Hero 450 Rally 23hr 26min 03sec
10. Sebastien Bühler (DEU) Hero 450 Rally 23hr 27min 16sec
11. Skyler Howes (USA) Husqvarna HQV 450 Rally Replica 25hr 51min 37sec
Overall Quads
1. Manuel Andujar (ARG) Yamaha Raptor 700 19hr 51min 20sec
2. Rafal Sonik (POL) Yamaha Raptor 700 20hr 21min 15sec
3. Aleksandr Maksimov (RUS) Yamaha YMF 700R SE 21hr 34min 24sec
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