Rally Global

Heavy rain made for slippery tracks and combined with tricky navigation rendered the second stage of the Sardegna Rally Race particularly challenging. Overall victory on this first part of the marathon stage between Arborea and Teulada went to the Italian rider Andrea Mancini aboard his 450 Husqvarna who won both specials of 109 and 50 km.

“I rode fast, but without taking any risks,” commented Mancini, who moves up to third overall behind Coma and Despres, both aboard KTM 530s. The Spaniard opened the piste this morning following his stage victory yesterday: “it wasn’t easy with the rain but the road book was sufficiently precise to ride on the slippery ground without too many problems.”

Cyril Despres enjoyed himself despite being four minutes behind the leader. “In these kind of conditions you are better off with a roof and windscreen wipers,” joked the Franco-Andorran. “With all the changes of direction and the slippery ground I essentially practiced damage limitation. The black soil was particularly tricky, while the gravel sections gave a bit more grip.”

Looking for victory, Helder Rodrigues (Yamaha 450) gave it all he had, as did the Polish rider Jakub Przgonski (KTM 530), who finished fourth and ninth overall.

Crash without serious consequences for Jordi Viladoms on his Husqvarna, “a big scare that calmed me down,” admitted the Spaniard, who slips from second to seventh place overall, nearly ten minutes behind his countryman Coma.

Problems also for David Casteu (13th and 8th), who lost time with his injection system. “I rode with Mancini and Przgonski who were attacking hard on a route that was often extremely narrow through the trees. In the end I decided to let them go.”

Another Italian to make an impression at the beginning of this rally is Matteo Graziani (KTM). “Being on home ground is an extra motivation and we are used to this type of terrain and so are moving up the rankings each day.”

Tomorrow, the second half of the marathon stage takes the competitors from Teulada to Muravera, over a 311 km stage comprising of two specials, the first of 113 km and the second of 60 km. The competitors will be reunited with their assistance at Poetto, not far from the famous seaside resort of Cagliari.

Fuente: Sardegna Rally Race 2010 Press Release
Foto: Sardegna Rally Race 2010 Press Release