— Coma takes win in opening stage in Sealine Rally
KTM factory rider and three times Dakar winner Marc Coma of Spain was the pace setter on the opening day of the Sealine Rally in Qatar to win the first of four hard stages in this, the second round of the World Cross Countries Rally Championship.
Fresh from his victory in the Desert Challenge, Coma said it was a difficult but satisfying day. “I am happy with the stage and I’m in a good position but it was a tough day with difficult navigation and it was necessary to stay focused. I had a good starting position and after I caught the riders in front I was able to open the race. It was perfect.”
Riders are in a bivouac in the desert near Doha and completed the first of four very long loop tracks that make up this year’s second edition of the Sealine Rally. In a new format this year, riders have one day less but a very heavy program with the timed special each day representing at least 97 percent of the total kilometers. Tuesday’s stage, which featured a range of fast and stony desert terrain and dunes, had a timed special of 405.12 km from a total distance of 415.11 km.
After an early morning start to avoid the searing heat desert heat, Coma completed the first stage in four hours 58.46 and crossed the line with a 2.04 advantage over Portugal’s Paolo Goncalves. KTM’s Norwegian rider Pal Anders Ullevalseter was third and Coma’s two KTM factory teammates Jakub Przygonski of Poland and Chaleco Lopez of Chile were fourth and fifth. The top five riders, all veterans of the Dakar Rally have already distanced themselves from the next group and there is 19-minute gap between Lopez and the sixth placed rider. Coma, Przygonski and Lopez are all riding the KTM 450 Dakar-winning Rally bike
Coma is looking to build on the world championship points he picked up in the Desert Challenge as he lays the foundation stone to retain his world title. Making a welcome return to racing after a shoulder injury kept him out of the Dakar 2013, Coma considers the early season as important confidence builders. Speaking to journalists after the ceremonial start on Monday evening Coma said: “I’m pleased with my riding. My navigation is strong, my speed is good and I know my fitness will be fine,” Coma said. “I will try to win again like last year. I feel that there’s a perfect route for a perfect race here.”
Wednesday’s Stage Two is the longest of this year’s edition with a total distance of 423.28 km including 413.19 km of timed special, relating to 99.5% of the total distance.
Sealine Rally at Doha, Qatar – Stage One total distance 415.11 km – including timed special of 405.12 km
1, Marc Coma, Spain, KTM 4 hours 58.46
2, Paolo Goncalves, Portugal, Speedbrain at 2.04
3, Pal Anders Ullevalseter, Norway, KTM at 4.00
4, Jakub Przygonski, Poland, KTM at 6.02
5, Chaleco Lopez, Chile, KTM at 12.01
6, Juan Carlos Salvatierra, Bolivia, Honda at 31.15
7, Khalid Khammis Ozair, Honda, 50.47
8, Mohammed Al Balooshi, KTM, 52.07
9, Rafal Sonic, Poland, Honda, 56.22
10, Quin Cody, USA, Speedbrain, 1:15.23
Rally concludes Friday after four stages
— PRT Speedbrain Report
The Sealine Qatar Rally opened today with a special stage of 405 kilometres, as this second round of the FIM Cross Country Rally World Championship got underway.
Following an early morning start Paulo Goncalves was able to find a good rhythm right away. The Portuguese offroad ace was gaining ground on his competitors quickly and found himself soon at the head of the field together with arch rival Marc Coma. The two continued to lead the chase after their refuelling stop and eventually crossed the finish line with Coma first and Goncalves 2:04 minutes behind. U.S. rider Quinn Cody ended his first outing after an injury in ninth place.
Paulo Goncalves: “That was a long and difficult day. The final 30 km were dunes, but for the most part it was fast, very stoney and hard-pack. Navigation was critical and a key to finish well. There were only a few reference points in the desert, you could easily lose a lot of time making a mistake. I was doing fine though and had a nice rhythm. Tomorrow it´s almost the same distance (413 km) and another hard day´s work ahead. My Speedbrain 450 Rally worked brilliantly.”
Quinn Cody: “Today I had to warm myself up in many ways. It has been a five-month break since my last race and I wanted to get further familiar with my new bike. I also had to deal with the very demanding navigation. I kept calm and concentrated and didn´t rush anything; it was very dangerous. Thankfully, my bike was up to the task.”