Monster Energy Honda Team got the 2017 Baja Aragón off to a flying start with Joan Barreda romping home in first place and team-mate Michael Metge, third in the curtain-raising event.

Joan Barreda – his Honda CRF450 emblazoned with the number one – scorched his way through the short nine-kilometre prologue to clinch victory with a six second advantage over the nearest second-place rival.

Michael Metge, who had finished third overall last year, also kept up a cracking pace on the Honda CRF450 RALLY, posting third on the day some fifteen seconds behind his Monster Energy Honda Team companion.

Tomorrow will see two special sectors with a total of 350 kilometres to run.

Joan Barreda

PROLOG: 1st OVERALL: 1st

We’ve won the prologue and I’m happy about that as the prologues are always complicated as there is such a lot of sprinting involved. I had to stay very focused over the first few kilometres and after I was able to let go a bit. The bike went really well and the sensations are good. Now it’s time to start thinking about the upcoming stages and find a steady pace which will allow us to ride some good stages.

Michael Metge

PROLOG: 3rd OVERALL: 3rd

The prologue always brings some pressure as the first part of the race is crucial. I had to attack right from the get-go and not make any mistakes in this super special. I thought that I might have had a slight clutch issue but in the end it was nothing and I was able to finish in a good third position, which I think will be great for tomorrow’s stage.

2017 Season
Prologue   Baja

Prologue results

Pos. Rider Num Nation Team Constructor Time/Gap
1 Barreda Joan SPA Monster Energy Honda Team Honda 4'54.4
2 Cervantes Iván SPA Himoinsa Team KTM +5.9
3 Metge Michael FRA Monster Energy Honda Team Honda +15.3
4 Pedrero Joan SPA Sherco TVS Rally Factory Sherco +20.5
5 Solà Marc SPA Himoinsa Team KTM +27.3
6 Adrià David SPA Pont Grup Yamaha Yamaha +29.0
7 Metge Adrien FRA Sherco TVS Rally Factory Sherco +33.5
8 España Cristian AND Team CE Rally KTM +35.8
9 Arana Txomin SPA GOR Sport Husqvarna +35.8
10 Asensio Héctor SPA Asensio Racing Team KTM +38.9
Location Information

The mystery of Dakar desert and Baja California left their mark within the sports men and adventurers who were willing to fulfil their spare time with challenging experiences. At the beginning of the eighties, when the mythic Paris-Dakar was already consolidated as one of the most important raids events, a… read more.

Palacio De Exposiciones Y Congresos De Teruel, Caudé, España - View in Google Maps

Records

Winner 2017 Joan Barreda
Winner 2016 Joan Barreda
Winner 2015 Gerard Farrés
Winner 2014 Gerard Farrés
Winner 2013 Joan Barreda
Winner 2012 Joan Barreda