Tom Rosa, leader in the overall standing of the quads, describes the difficulties he faced on the ninth and penultimate stage of the Sertões International Rally. In the timed section of 252 kilometers between Teresina (PI) and Sobral (CE), the rider had to hold on to his quad with only one hand most of the time and moreover with a torn tire.
Although the competitor was the last to complete this Thursdays Special, according to the non-official results, he still has advantage of 3h23min10s over the second place, Leonardo Vieira Franco, the third fastest today. The fastest was José Demontier Moura.
I am administrating the advantage, said Tom, who injured his left hand. With 40 km to go to finish the special on that trial, I tore my tire. It was not easy to endure a trial like that, one the heaviest I have ever seen, with just one hand. I found the test today harder than the Jalapão.
Rosa has only six minutes of penalizations all during the rally, while Franco, for example, has 2h30min because of problems on the third day.
The leader believes that he chose the right strategy from the beginning: If you force the machine too much and exceed your riding limits, it will break. I did one thing that everyone says has to be done: be regular on the first three days, use your head.
The Special this Friday, last of the rally, will be 86 km long and will take place between Sobral and Caucaia.
Este texto foi escrito por: Andrei Spinassé
Last modified: agosto 18, 2011
