Out Sunderland and Howes, injury, is duel between Sanders and Shareina, Brabec “witness”. The race of the Cars becomes a spectacular duel between Loeb and Al Attiyah. Lucci still lagging behind, Amos and Busi recovering
April 26, 2023
Boulder, Mexico, April 26. Sonora Rally 2023. Second Stage, it’s serious. The scheduled Special is still not too long, 160 kilometresbut you need to add 240 of transfer to reach the end of stage Boulder. It’s very hot inside Desert of the Altar, fortunately the Rally runs fast towards the South, towards the Pacific of the Gulf of California, towards a semblance of refreshment. The Special is long, complicated by fatigue and navigation, little, on narrow tracks between cacti with many dangers. It’s fast enough… for the good ones.
Il Mondiale Rally-Raid perde once again on the road his reigning motorcycle champion, Sam Sunderland. The Englishman, who had already retired from the Dakar and on the eve of the Abu Dhabi, crashed almost immediately, at km 24 of the Special, and injured his knee and nose. He is evacuated by the Rally medical team and taken back to the starting bivouac. Definitely, it’s not a lucky year for the two-time Dakar winner. Likewise Skyler Howes exitsHusqvarna official.
The Motorcycle stage is won by Daniel Sanders. The Australian gives life to a good confrontation with Toby PriceKTM, etc Ricky Brabec, Honda, 4 times Sonora winner. However it is Tosha ShareinaMoreHonda, which recovers very strongly and in the final stage of the stage approaches the tread. Vince Sanders, who passes to the command of the Rally after two Stages, Shareina is second at just over a minute, A brat third at 2 and 18. The positions of the general are reversed. Sanders takes the lead, just 21 seconds ahead of Shareina. Brabec is third and maintains contact. Rally2: it’s still Romain “Dudu” Dumontierwhich won for the second time in a row. Paul Lucciwho still hasn’t found the rhythm, is third in the overall class and defends the championship lead. Camurri he is 24th overall.
Exciting day for the Car race. Let me be clear: the strong argument is the comparison between Sebastien LoebProdrive, navigatore Fabien Lurquin, and Nasser Al Attiyah, Toyota Gazoo, Mathieu Baumel. On the second special stage (shortened for safety reasons) the French 9-time WRC World Champion won, inflicting almost 3 minutes on the Prince. The most interesting part of the news comes from the rewrite of the general, which sees Loeb move to the lead but Al Attiyah chase at… 3 seconds. In view of the long Special on the third day, the result seems to be a clear message from Al Attiyah, who will force his opponent into a certainly demanding and probably frustrating stage. Interesting the “intrusion” of Marcos and Cristian Baumgart. The two Brazilian brothers, each driving one of the two “imported” Prodrives, finished the second stage in third and fourth place respectively, applying for at least one step on the podium, which is currently however firmly defended by Loeb, Al Attiyah and Chicherit. “They come to life” Amos and CeciToyota, is “resistant” Rebecca Busi, Can-Am.
applying for at least one step of the podium, at the moment however firmly defended by Loeb, Al Attiyah and Chicherit. “They come to life” Amos and CeciToyota, is “resistant” Rebecca Busi, Can-Am.
Paolo Ceci, Eugenio Amos, Toyota Hilux Overdrive. “Second stage. Very difficult because it was very dangerous especially in the first forty kilometres. More difficult for us because we started last and therefore after fifteen kilometers we found ourselves the first car to overtake. There was dust and, quite peculiarly, despite being in the middle of the desert, the track was really narrow. You can never get off the track because there are gigantic cacti and lots of vegetation. Having to stay on the track everything became really complicated. Not bad, we need to add experience and kilometres, even in dusty situations like this one. Overall, therefore, we are satisfied and look forward to the third stage. We are further on and the desert should be more open.”
© Immagini Red Bull Content Pool, W2R Championship – DPPI – Toyota – BRX – Sonora Rally – Rally Zone
