Goncalves Takes Early Lead in Sardinia Rally

Team HRC’s Paulo Goncalves leads Armand Monleón and Marc Coma after Stage 1 on the island of Sardinia.

After setting the fastest time in yesterday’s SuperPrologue [qualifying]. Team HRC’s Paulo Goncalves of Portugal started off the Sardinia Rally in earnest with a win in Stage 1 on the island of Sardinia off the coast of Italy, Sunday, June 7.

Goncalves, who is the lone Honda factory entrant in the rally, had a solid day in Stage 1 as he battled with Sherco rider Joan Pedrero, Armand Monleón and reigning FIM Cross-Country Rallies Champion Marc Coma for the stage win. In the end, it appeared as if Pedrero was the winner, but it was later learned that the Sherco rider had failed to maintain the proper speed on some of the speed-controlled sections of the course, and he was penalized 15 minutes, dropping him back to 20th place. Pedrero later discovered that his trip computer was faulty. Pedrero’s misfortune gave Goncalves the stage win.

The opening stage was far from easy, placing a premium on navigation skills while forcing the riders to negotiate rocky paths that made bike control difficult. Goncalves started the stage from the sixth starting position, was able to score a commendable time, finishing just six seconds adrift of Catalan Joan Pedrero in the 160-kilometer timed special before it was learned that Pedrero had violated the speed limit in the controlled sections. As a result. Goncalves now leads the rally with a slim, 4-second gap over Monleón.

“Today, the first stage went fairly well: I stayed focused throughout the special which was really tough to navigate,” Goncalves said. “Here in Sardinia the track is really narrow and rock-filled and we went down a lot of paths where the bike only just made it through. But in the end it turned out well and everything went according to plan. The bike was running perfectly, too, after we fine-tuned the suspension. Tomorrow, I will push hard and do my best to keep it up.”

Stage two takes place Monday, June 8, between Pula and Fordongianus. It is the longest section of the rally, over 400 kilometers in total with two special stages of 100 kilometers each.

2015 FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship
Sardinia Rally
Sardinia
Results: June 7, 2015 (Round 4 of 6)

Stage 1
1. Paulo Goncalves (POR)-Hon/3 hours, 37 minutes, 56 seconds
2. Armand Monleón (SPA)-KTM/+00:00:04
3. Marc Coma (SPA)-KTM/+00:00:33
4. Matthias Walkner (SPA)-KTM/+00:01:51
5. Jacopo Cerutti (ITA)-Hon/+00:04:03
6. Ruben Faria (POR)-KTM/+00:04:32
7. Alessandro Botturi (ITA)-Yam/+00:04:55
8. Helder Rodrigues (POR)-Yam/+00:05:11
9. Vanni Cominotto (ITA)-Hus/+00:05:29
10. Luca Vecchi (ITA)-KTM/+00:05:38

Sardinia Rally Overall Standings (After 1 of 5 Stages)
1. Paulo Goncalves (POR)-Hon/3 hours, 37 minutes, 56 seconds
2. Armand Monleón (SPA)-KTM/+00:00:04
3. Marc Coma (SPA)-KTM/+00:00:33
4. Matthias Walkner (SPA)-KTM/+00:01:51
5. Jacopo Cerutti (ITA)-Hon/+00:04:03
6. Ruben Faria (POR)-KTM/+00:04:32
7. Alessandro Botturi (ITA)-Yam/+00:04:55
8. Helder Rodrigues (POR)-Yam/+00:05:11
9. Vanni Cominotto (ITA)-Hus/+00:05:29
10. Luca Vecchi (ITA)-KTM/+00:05:38