Paulo Goncalves on the Honda CRF450 RALLY, fastest in the Rally dos Sertoes prologue
Team HRC and Honda CRF450 RALLY get off to a fine start in Brazil’s Rally dos Sertoes, as Paulo Goncalves wins the prologue and Helder Rodrigues takes fifth place.
It was a noteworthy display from Team HRC as the Rally dos Sertoes got underway, with Paulo Goncalves and Helder Rodrigues finishing the prologue in top positions in a race against the clock over a distance just shy of 10 kilometres.
Victory, in a very quick and surprise-free prologue, allows Paulo Goncalves to choose tomorrow’s starting position in first full stage, which sets out from Goiania and winds up in Caldas Novas, 216.21 kilometres later. 155 km will be against the clock. Helder Rodrigues crossed the finish-line just 24 seconds behind his fellow-countryman in fifth position, which also sets the rider up for a good starting position tomorrow.
The fine performance of the Honda Brazil team, should be highlighted, with Jean Azevedo scoring the second best time and Julio Zavatti, ninth.
Tomorrow’s Stage:
Stage 1 – Goiania-Caldas Novas
Liaison: 40.5km Special Stage: 155.65km Liaison: 21.06km
Paulo Goncalves
"I’m very pleased because I’ve won the prologue in the Rally Sertoes. Tomorrow sees the first long special at 160 kilometres. I hope to be on form and be in the running for the victory as this rally means a lot to me."
Helder Rodrigues
"Today is the first day of the race for us. It was a very short 10 kilometre special, and a very important one, as everyone was looking for a good position so as to avoid the dust tomorrow. That’s why it is so important to be in the best starting positions and keep pushing throughout the race."
Private: Wolfgang Fischer
"Today Team HRC began the Rally Sertoes in good form. Paulo Goncalves won the Super Especial of only 10 kilometres, and Helder Rodrigues finished well in fifth place. We are in the position to choose the starting-order tomorrow. The Honda Brazil team, who have been the best hosts, have also done a great job, and Jean Azevedo finished in second place. We have great opportunities and are very motivated ahead of tomorrow’s long first stage."
Results Session
| Pos. | Rider | Num | Nation | Team | Constructor | Time/Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Goncalves Paulo | POR | Team HRC | Honda | 06'01 | |
| 2 | Azevedo Jean | BRA | Honda Mobil Rally | Honda | +0.07 | |
| 3 | Coma Marc | SPA | Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team | KTM | +0.19 | |
| 4 | Casteu David | FRA | Team Casteu | KTM | +0.20 | |
| 5 | Rodrigues Helder | POR | Team HRC | Honda | +0.24 | |
| 6 | Viladoms Jordi | SPA | Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team | KTM | +0.26 | |
| 7 | Faria Ruben | POR | Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team | KTM | +0.26 | |
| 8 | Klaumann Ike | BRA | Team Klaumann | Honda | +0.28 | |
| 9 | Zavatti Julio | BRA | Honda Mobil Rally | Honda | +0.30 | |
| 10 | Martins Ricardo | BRA | Spirit Rally Team | Yamaha | +0.31 |
Provisional Standings after Prologue
| Pos. | Rider | Num | Nation | Team | Constructor | Time/Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Goncalves Paulo | POR | Team HRC | Honda | 06'01 | |
| 2 | Azevedo Jean | BRA | Honda Mobil Rally | Honda | +0.07 | |
| 3 | Coma Marc | SPA | Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team | KTM | +0.19 | |
| 4 | Casteu David | FRA | Team Casteu | KTM | +0.19 | |
| 5 | Rodrigues Helder | POR | Team HRC | Honda | +0.24 | |
| 6 | Viladoms Jordi | SPA | Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team | KTM | +0.26 | |
| 7 | Faria Ruben | POR | Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team | KTM | +0.26 | |
| 8 | Klaumann Ike | BRA | Team Klaumann | Honda | +0.26 | |
| 9 | Zavatti Julio | BRA | Honda Mobil Rally | Honda | +0.30 | |
| 10 | Martins Ricardo | BRA | Spirit Rally Team | Yamaha | +0.31 |
Location Information
Dust, mud, brain-melting heat or damp cold, into the night, in dirt or asphalt roads, treks in the forest, ravines and flatlands. Crossing big cities and little villages, contacting simple, caring and hospitable people. All this is part of Sertões International Rally. Besides the bold competition, the event is also… read more.
Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil - View in Google Maps
