The third day of the Sealine Cross-Country Rally put Joan Barreda back on the top of the leader-board in what proved to be a great day out for Team HRC, imposing a cracking pace and taking the stage victory.
Qatar‰Ûªs Sealine Cross-Country Rally arrived at its halfway point overnight. Joan Barreda set off from sixth place on the Honda CRF450 RALLY at a thundering rhythm, and with flawless navigation was able to reach and overtake the rivals ahead, crossing the line in Umm Sa‰Ûªid for his second win so far.
At 411.76 km, the special is the longest of those to be disputed here at the Sealine. The win sees Spanish rider Barreda once again back on the top of the overall standings, with all options open as the race goes into its final phase.
"Today I‰Ûªm really happy because I started out in sixth place after yesterday‰Ûªs position. I kept up a really good rhythm from the first kilometres. I caught up with Marc at kilometre 30 and then Viladoms. I kept pushing really hard to try and catch up with Paulo and Sam, and finally, after refuelling, with some difficult areas and navigation, I reached them, and we finished altogether in a group." Barreda explained.
"I‰Ûªm really happy with another victory, and also a victory for Honda," he added.
Finishing second on the stage was Factory KTM Red Bull rider Marc Coma who lead the race heading into the stage. Barreda's HRC team-mate rounded out the top three for the stage.
After three stages of racing Barreda leads the race by 1 minute and 19 second ahead of Coma, with Red Bull KTM racer Jordi Viladoms sitting in third some six minutes behind Coma.
Results Stage 3
1. Joan Barreda 04:53'43 ESP HONDA TEAM HRC
2. Marc Coma +02'15 ESP KTM KTM Red Bull Rally Factory
3. Helder Rodrigues +04'02 PRT HONDA TEAM HRC
4. Jordi Viladoms +06'11 ESP KTM KTM Red Bull Rally Factory
5. Paulo Goncalves +08'03 PRT HONDA TEAM HRC
6. Sam Sunderland +10'09 GBR KTM KTM Red Bull Rally Factory
7. Ruben Faria +27'21 POR KTM KTM Red Bull Rally Factory
8. Mohammed Abu Issa +01:02'22 QAT YAMAHA Abu Issa
9. Mohammed Albalooshi +01:04'30 UAE KTM KTM UAC
10. Jakub Piatek +01:24'32 POL KTM Team Hanesco
Provisional Standings after Stage 3
1. Joan Barreda 11:10'37 ESP HONDA TEAM HRC
2. Marc Coma +01'19 ESP KTM KTM Red Bull Rally Factory
3. Jordi Viladoms +07'21 ESP KTM KTM Red Bull Rally Factory
4. Paulo Goncalves +09'36 PRT HONDA TEAM HRC
5. Helder Rodrigues +09'55 PRT HONDA TEAM HRC
6. Sam Sunderland +15'11 GBR KTM KTM Red Bull Rally Factory
7. Mohammed Albalooshi +01:41'46 UAE KTM KTM UAC
8. Mohammed Abu Issa +02:24'26 QAT YAMAHA Abu Issa
9. Rafal Sonik +02:59'47 POL HONDA Poland National
10. JuliÌÁn Villarrubia +03:11'07 ESP HONDA Poland National
Top Image: Joan Barreda moved into the Sealine Rally race lead after winning stage three.
Credit: Honda Racing
