Robert Nahas is the present quad leader in the 2014 Sertões International Rally. Foto: Jonne Roriz/WebventureWith information from Isabela Rios, direct from Diamantina (MG)
The stage in the State of Minas Gerais between the cities of São Francisco and Diamantina, a total of 645.44 km in the 22nd edition of the 2014 Sertões International Rally was very exciting in the quad category. In the Marathon stage which took place this Thursday (28), Robert Nahas took over the lead of the day and also the accumulated result. Him, Marcelo Medeiros and Rafal Sonik are alternating the top of the table since the first day in the called quads.
Competitor of the RNN Sports, Nahas, was exhausted at the end of the course. I do not manage to talk I am so tired. It was a good Special. The first stretch of eucalyptus, for this type of quad with independent suspension, is not so good, but I went on well. In the second stretch, the trial, I was very careful, there were some sequences that were very complicated and if I had forced it, it could have cut a tyre or something else happen. I went quite carefully, a strategy I also used last year also: not break down, not make mistakes and finish the marathon, said the leader of the accumulated for the second time in the rally.
Nahas explains just a small problem that happened during the day. The navigation button broke, which hindered a little bit. It seems that it does not hinder so much, but it gives a lot of work. Other than that, I hope that all is in order, says the rider, as nobody can see the conditions of the quads until the Friday (29) morning.
Marcelo Medeiros has swollen knees but he will compete tomorrow. Foto: Gustavo Epifanio/WebventureMarcelo Medeiros, of the Taguatur Racing team, faced several problems during the Special, one of them being a strong accident at km 268. It was a long stage. I had a punctured tyre. Robert Nahas was behind me and passed me. I was just behind a motorbike, I passed it in the middle of the dust, I could not see and I crashed into an embankment. But, I am alright. Now we just have to think of Diamantina, he explained.
The good deed of the day was of the rider of the motorbike Júlio Zavatti, known as Bissinho (Honda Mobil de Rally category PDA), who stopped to help rescue Medeiros. “The Doctors evaluated the situation and came to the conclusion that the knees were knocked. Nothing serious. So I decided to continue the race. I only want to thank Júlio for his support and the medical team for their fast attending”, said the competitor.
The Pole Rafal Sonik (Sonik Team), that finished the day in second place, also worried about the accident. “I saw Marcelo fallen and I stopped for a while, there were some people around him and he said for me to carry on. I did not see him moving, he said he was alright, but I did not think so”, said the rider. At the end of the day, Sonik even had a penalty for speeding in radar zone.
This Friday (29), the competitors will leave Diamantina and will return to the city, in a special of over 178 kilometres and 25.42 of final liaison, still within the marathon, without receiving support from the team mechanics.
Follow the Sertões live and see the complete results here.
See the besto f the day and in the accumulated in the quads:
Quads 5th Stage
1. #100 ROBERT NAHAS (PROTOTIPO / RNN SPORTS) 04h57min02
2. #101 RAFAL SONIK (HONDA / SONIK TEAM) 05h17min00
3. #102 MARCELO MEDEIROS (TAGUATUR RACING) 05h25min03
4. #105 GABRIEL VARELA (CAN-AM / DIVINO FOGAO RALLY TEAM) 05h28min55
5. #103 TOM ROSA (YAMAHA / NC RALLY TEAM) 5h30min50
Quads – Accumulated
1. #100 ROBERT NAHAS (PROTOTIPO / RNN SPORTS) 15h59min26
2. #102 MARCELO MEDEIROS (TAGUATUR RACING) 16h21min36
3. #101 RAFAL SONIK (HONDA / SONIK TEAM) 16h28min35
4. #105 GABRIEL VARELA (CAN-AM / DIVINO FOGAO RALLY TEAM) 16h51min50
5. #103 TOM ROSA (YAMAHA / NC RALLY TEAM) 17h36min26
Check the sequence of the 22nd edition of the Sertões International Rally:
29/08 – 6ª stage- Diamantina (MG)/Diamantina (MG)
Initial liaison: 0 km
Special: 178,87 km
Final liaison: 25,42 km
Days total: 204,29 km
30/08 – 7ª stage- Diamantina (MG)/Belo Horizonte (MG)
Initial liaison: 54,38 km
Special: 125,88 km
Final liaison: 151,96 km
Days total: 336,96 km
12h00 to18h00: Arrival of the competitors
21h00: Prize giving Ceremony and Party
Este texto foi escrito por: Marcos Souza
Last modified: agosto 29, 2014
