Alessandro Botturi is the new leader of the Sardinia Rally, but Marc Coma is close.
Husqvarna rider Alessandro Botturi of Italy grabbed the stage win and assumed the overall lead in the Sardinia Rally, round four of the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship, today, but defending event champion Marc Coma remains in strong contention for a repeat win.
Today’s stage was a marathon stage of, and it was one in which the rally lead changed several times in the second half of the stage. Team HRC Honda’s Joan Barreda was strong on the start, setting a fast pace and taking the first place in the first sector and finishing one minute ahead of the runner-up, Red Bull KTM’s Marc Coma. Overall rally leader Paulo Gonçalves also set a fast pace until he arrived at the assistance pit. However, as the route became twisty, Goncalves suffered front brake issues that slowed his charge.
Barreda, meanwhile, suffered a roadbook malfunction during the second special stage of the day, making it impossible for him to follow the correct route. He was forced to wait for another rider to catch up to him so that he could follow that rider and finish the stage. Barreda lost a lot of time in the process, and he is currently ninth in the overall standings.
The craziness in the second half of the day only helped Botturi to make his way to the front, and the Italian rider came through with a big win that also vaulted him into the overall rally lead. Coma was his usual smooth and consistent self, and although he finished third, behind Gas Gas JVO Team rider Gerard Farrés of Spain, he remains 6 minutes out of the overall lead with two stages remaining.
FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship
Sardinia Rally
Arbatax-San Leonardo
Results: June 10, 2014 (Stage 3 of 5)
Stage 3
1. Alessandro Botturi-Hus/4:02:47
2. Gerard Farrés-GG/+00:04:02
3. Marc Coma-KTM/+00:05:20
4. Helder Rodrigues-Hon/+00:07:02
5. Andrea Mancini-Bet/+00:07:59
6. Ruben Faria-KTM/+00:13:03
7. Olivier Pain-Yam/+00:13:14
8. Paulo Goncalves-Hon/+00:17:06
9. Joan Pedrero-She/+17:57
10. Armand Monleón-KTM/+00:19:25
Sardinia Rally Overall Standings (After 3 of 5 stages)
1. Alessandro Botturi-Hus/09:53:45
2. Marc Coma-KTM/+00:06:00
3. Gerard Farrés-GG/+00:09:52
4. Paulo Goncalves-Hon/+00:15:41
5. Helder Rodrigues-Hon/+00:16:18
6. Andrea Mancini-Bet/+00:19:09
7. Olivier Pain-Yam/+00:20:12
8. Armand Monleón/+00:23:14
9. Joan Barreda-Hon/+00:24:55
10. Ruben Faria-KTM/+00:30:47
Tomorrow’s Stage
San Leonardo-San Teodoro
Special Stage 6-47 km
Special Stage 7-65 km
Total Distance (including transfers)-278 km
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