Joan Barreda Edges Out Toby Price For Morocco Rally Stage One Win

The final race of the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship got underway in Zagora today with a tricky special stage for all the fastest competitors.

Joan Barreda chalked up the first victory leading home Australia's Toby Price by just over one minute.

Barreda was back in action with a bang after setting a cracking pace in a far-from-easy stage, as the riders had it tough in the dust cloud generated by the front-running participants, with visibility being reduced to near zero.

Intense downpours over recent days caused river water levels to rise and led race organizers to shorten the previously planned route. As a result the route which was set to include 330 kilometres of special ended up with 370 km in total to avoid the previously mentioned dangers.

The Barreda win highlights some of the more positive aspects of the team after the rider had had to sit out three months through injury, which meant not being able to board a bike. The Spaniard showed himself to be comfortable on the bike, scoring a great triumph in the process.

"For me it was a good day." Barreda commented. "I started out from behind but I had to be really careful with all the dust generated up ahead. I went very slowly in some of the early parts of the special.

"The positive thing is that I kept calm as there were areas where I could have attacked. In the end, in spite of losing a bit of time trying to get past other riders, we were able to get a good result. A great start to the rally.