Marcelo Medeiros had no problems and was victorious in fourth day of the Sertões. Foto: Jonne Roriz/WebventureAmong the quads the competition was exciting on the fourth stage of the 2nd edition of the Sertões International Rally. The route between the cities of Paracatu and São Francisco, in the state of Minas Gerais, was the longest in liaisons and special up to now. There were just over 585 kilometers of course in total this Wednesday (27).
The days fastest was the Polish rider Rafal Sonik, but a penalty for not having stopped at the refueling on kilometer 143 made the competitor of the Sonik Team be punished in 16 minutes after completing the final liaison. The winner of the stage was Marcelo Medeiros, of the Taguatur Racing, who completed the course in 4h59min45. It was a cool stage, of high speed, very nice to participate in. I managed to put in a good rhythm and ensure this result, the rider explained.
In the second official position came Robert Nahas (RNN Sports), with a time of 05h03min39. “I thought the stretch was spectacular. This is my 11th Sertões and this was one of the most enjoyable specials Ive done. Today I didnt manage to eliminate the problem with the quads stability, but it improved a lot. I managed to ride very well, but as I didnt ride well yesterday, I caught a lot of dust and managed to overtake a few, but when I got to Rafal Sonik, he wouldnt let me overtake in any way. I only managed to pass him when he made a little mistake in navigation and when he took his hand off the accelerator, I managed to pass, Nahas described.
“When we got to the refueling, he (Sonik) came in very close to me. So I left at the limit of the radar zone so as not to get a penalty. When I left the radar, he accelerated hard and hit the side of my quad, pushing me onto the embankment. Lucky there was nothing to hit. Afterwards he told me that it was not on purpose, he hit some obstacle, said the rider, who is also in second place in the accumulated time.
Sonik had a day to be forgotten this Wednesday Foto: Gustavo Epifanio/WebventureSonik also explained what happened in touching the Brazilian racer. On a blind curve, I left the trail a bit and then I felt something touching by my side. I didnt leave totally, but it threw me out. It was lucky that it ws not a hard hit, so I got a big fright during the stage, the Polish rider explains. He holds the third best time in the accumulated, even after the penalty.
Marathon
This Thursda (28) the competitors will have na even fuller day and the beginning of the marathon , when tunings and repairs are not allowed on the equipments. The fifth stage foresees 223.57 kilometers of initial liaison, 35.98 of timed stretch and another 85.89 kilometers of final liaison.
The leader of the competition gave a quick analysis of what the rider expects tomorrow. This first day of the marathon stage we will have a very technical course, many obstacles to be overcome. I will try to avoid the equipment from undergoing too much, because we still have a lot of rally ahead. So, the best bet is to spare the quad this stage, Marcelo Medeiros explains.
Follow the Sertões live and see the complete results here.
Check the besto of the day and in accumulated among the quads:
Quads 4th stage
1. #102 MARCELO MEDEIROS (TAGUATUR RACING) 04h59min45
2. #100 ROBERT NAHAS (PROTOTIPO / RNN SPORTS) 05h03min39
3. #101 RAFAL SONIK (HONDA / SONIK TEAM) 05h10min01
4. #105 GABRIEL VARELA (CAN-AM / DIVINO FOGAO RALLY TEAM) 05h20min55
5. #106 ANDRE SUGUITA (BIKE BOX) 5h35min00
Quads Accumulated
1. #102 MARCELO MEDEIROS (TAGUATUR RACING) 10h56min32
2º # 100 ROBERT NAHAS (PROTOTIPO / RNN SPORTS) 11h02min24
3º #101 RAFAL SONIK (HONDA / SONIK TEAM) 11h10min34
4º #105 GABRIEL VARELA (CAN-AM / DIVINO FOGAO RALLY TEAM) 11h22min54
5º #103 TOM ROSA (YAMAHA / NC RALLY TEAM) 12h05min36
Check the sequence of the 22nd edition of the Sertões International Rally:
28/08 – 5ª stage- São Francisco (MG)/Diamantina (MG) – MARATHON
Initial liaison223,57 km
Special: 335,98 km
Final liaison: 85,89 km
Days total: 645,44 km
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 27, 2014
