Warm-up day in Sardinia. Paulo Goncalves, fifth place in the first stage

Paulo Gonçalves was the fastest rider of the HRC Team in this first stage of the Sardinia Rally. Barreda and Rodrigues make it to the Top10 today before heading for one of the most important stages of the race tomorrow.

The first stage between San Teodoro and Arbatax of 326 kilometers consisted of two Specials of which 47 kilometers from the first and 75 kilometers from the second were completely new to the Sardegna Rally Race. This first stage has allowed the riders to get into race mode while crossing and surrounding various mountains of the littoral of the Olastra coast on the east side of the island.

This first stage was not a very complicated one in terms of navigation; the tracks were defined, wide, rather hard and a bit dusty. Due to this, Joan Barreda, the fastest man during yesterday’s prologue, decided to start from fourth position in order to avoid visual inconvenient that could end up affecting his riding. Unfortunately the pace that he maintained was not enough for him to win this stage. He has given away a few minutes and is currently on eighth place in the general standing.

Paulo Gonçalves started behind his HRC teammate and managed to get to him with a very good pace, setting the third best time during the first Special and ending up fifth at the end of the day. It is a good position to be in order to battle on the following stage of 170 kilometers that will take place tomorrow.

For Hélder Rodrigues it has also been a good day, finishing in the Top10 and only three minutes behind the leader of the race.

Tomorrow’s Stage:

Stage 2 – Arbatax-Arbatax

This is the first of the two “ring” stages of the 2014 Edition. It’s the shortest leg of the rally, and includes a progression in difficulty and a large range of terrain and tactical situations. It requires attention to navigation and to the diverse landscape situations.

The second stage is shorter than first of the Sardegna Rally. Departure will be from the center of Tortoli, followed by a liaison of 35 kilometers in the direction of Tertenia. This is the start of the only special stage of the second day of competition. The first part is very open and attractive, beautiful to ride. Pay attention to the fast dirt roads of the forest site of Tacchixeddu and enjoy the tracks of the wind farm. Pass the Forestry of Semida, heading to Ussasai and to Punta Corongiu, and take care at the junction of the state road 198. Then go straight to the Assistance Point in Gairo Taquisara.

The second part of the Special Stage is more technical and with more navigation required, especially at the end. The path will cross the geographic areas of Tricoli, Mount Armidda, Mount Idol, and the arrival of the Special Test is in the vicinity of Arzana. A transfer of 23 kilometers brings them to the finish line of the second stage and at the end of the day of more selective competition.