Monster Energy Honda Team have accomplished their dual mission planned for the participation in the Baja Inka Paracas 1000. Not only did the team come away with a fine result in the race itself, but performed notably when faced with the arduous navigation that was required in the Peruvian dunes.
Monster Energy Honda Team’s Portuguese rider Paulo Gonçalves clinched the victory at the Baja Inka Paracas 1000, while Argentinean team-mate Kevin Benavides occupied third overall place in the rally. Michael Metge finished further behind in the general rankings.
Clocking up over 1000 kilometres of Peruvian desert during the four days of racing, Monster Energy Honda Team were a force to be reckoned with over much of the 800 kilometres of timed special stage. The team set the pace throughout, were victorious in the most crucial stages and displayed considerable navigational expertise.
Next date for the Monster Energy Honda Team will be in October as the team tackles the Morocco Rally – the fifth and final event in the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship with Paulo Gonçalves aspiring to the title.
Paulo Goncalves 8
In this race, the priority was to get used to the desert here in Peru, to get some mileage under the belt and have a good rally. It all turned out pretty well, I felt very comfortable throughout the race, and I always had options to win the rally. It has been a tough test in terms of riding, with 800 kilometres of timed stages and with more than 700 km of dunes. The Honda CRF450 RALLY performed extremely well. The result came too, so we are happy about that, although we still have to continue working for the future.
Kevin Benavides 1
It was a very good race. I think I have opened more than 50% or 60% of the rally and that was very positive for me. The last stage I had to open and I set a fast pace. We have met the objectives for this race, which was to get some kilometres done and get a feel for the dunes of Peru. We know what it’s all about and I am also very happy about Paulo’s great win.
Michael Metge
First we had Ruta 40, which I think was very positive for me, since I had to open the track and also won a stage. Now we have been in Peru where we had a good race in the dunes - very different from the one that we found in Argentina. I felt very good in this environment, I felt great physically and the team has performed perfectly. I think we are in a fine position to tackle the Dakar in good form.
Private: Raul Castells
It has been a very positive race from the training point of view here in Peru ahead of the Dakar. The riders have done very well. The team has worked very closely during the days here in Paracas. I think we are growing race by race and I want to congratulate the riders, who have achieved a great result by getting onto the podium. I would also like to highlight the great effort made by Honda Peru, collaborating with the team in all its logistic needs. They have been extraordinary and very positive for us. We have also had great support from all the sponsors and collaborators. Likewise, Honda and HRC gave us a bike that has performed fantastically well throughout.
Baja Inka 1000 Paracas 2017 Final results
| Pos. | Rider | Num | Nation | Team | Constructor | Time/Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Goncalves Paulo | 8 | POR | Hero Motorsports Team Rally | Hero | 9:54'43 |
| 2 | Van Beveren Adrien | 42 | FRA | Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Team | Yamaha | 9:55'03 |
| 3 | Benavides Kevin | 1 | ARG | Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team | KTM | 9:57'17 |
| 4 | de Soultrait Xavier | 12 | FRA | HT Rally Raid Husqvarna Racing | Husqvarna | 9:57'29 |
| 5 | Nosiglia Daniel | 54 | BOL | Rieju - FN Speed Team | Rieju | 10:21'50 |
| 6 | Barragán Jonathan | 60 | SPA | Gas Gas Racing | Gas Gas | 10:29'27 |
| 7 | Salvatierra Juan Carlos | 11 | BOL | Chavo Salvatierra Racing | KTM | 10:32'27 |
| 8 | Nosiglia Walter | 58 | BOL | Honda Argentina - MEC Team | Honda | 10:43'00 |
| 9 | Farres Gerard | 3 | SPA | Himoinsa Team | KTM | 11:08'02 |
| 10 | Faggotter Rodney | 25 | AUS | Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team | Yamaha | 11:29'43 |
| 19 | Metge Michael | FRA | Monster Energy Honda HRC | Honda | 43:15'52 |
