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Sardinia Rally Race |
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Cyril Despres (KTM) wins the Sardinia Rally
Race. After the night on the Mount Limbara, the last effort of Sardinia Rally Race in 2009. Shorter Stage, scenic route. Less difficulties in navigation, hard lands and sliding tracks. Grand Final between the natural granite sculptures of the wonderful Gallura region. Total 234.2 kilometers (32km trasf. + 84.35 + 23.45 km PS1 Transfer km. + 68.24 + 25.31 km PS2 km). San Teodoro, June First, 2009. Cyril Despres won "even" the 2009 edition of the Sardinia Rally Race. The French had dominated the first edition of the Rally organized by Bike Village, last year, but this year he has really given lessons of "Sardinia" Racing. In order to interpret correctly, and win, a so demanding and difficult rally it is necessary to use a very specific tactic, based on perfect management of technical and of concentration resources. The length of the route and of course the difficulties of navigation, require a careful mix of physical and mental energies, and the winner of a rally like this can only be an exceptional Champion. Despres has gone ahead in the race in the first stage, having given way to David Casteu after the prologogue, lost his lead in the second, when the head of the race went to Marc Coma, and returned permanently to the leadership after the withdrawal of the Spanish, which at the time of the accident was about four minutes leading over the French. It was easy to believe that the victory of Despres is triggered by the misfortune of his "historic" opponent. In fact, given the circumstances, Cyril Despres was the master in not making mistakes, and when he was wrong, the French outstanding has always managed to limit the damage. Winning strategy! Marc Coma was really unlucky, falling during the penultimate stage of Rally, and unlucky was also his team mate Jordi Viladoms that, after winning the penultimate stage, lost his second position for a breakdown of fuel during the first special of last day. In this way rose a place Andrea Mancini, the best of Italian riders, who have obtained an excellent result, and for admission of the same pilot, in part unexpected. Modesty over the talent. No less surprised at the third place on the podium of the Sardinia Rally Race, was the French euphoric rider Olivier Pain, with an Yamaha, at his first season of commitment in the Cross Country Rally World Championship. The last day of the the Sardinia Rally Race began with the departure from the camp on Mount Limbara, last fraction of the final stage of a two days Marathon. Less technical than the previous days, but in disrupted weather conditions. Low mileage, less than 250 kilometers in total, and two more Special Tests, won respectively by Cyril Despres and David Casteu. Great enthusiasm on the stage at the final finish line in San Teodoro, that is the headquarter of the organizers Antonello Chiara and Gian Renzo Bazzu. It was a great rally, very attractive and purposeful, "turned" in the incomparable scenery of Sardinia, incredibly exciting, and acted by the best riders in the world.
Fourth Stage, Arborea - Tempio Pausania. The Great Arc to the North-East. A long Coast To Coast, culminating with the return to Magic Forest Burgos. Wide variety of land, Arrival at Bike Village, the bivouac of the Sardinia Rally Race on Mount Limbara. Fourth Step, May 31, from Arborea to the Temple. The Great Diagonale.400 km total (20 km trasf. + 95km PS1 + 148 km Trasf. + 62km PS2 + 75 km). Wonderful day, and shocking, exciting and sad at the same time. Marc Coma, when attacking the Mount Arci, falls far after the start of the first special test of the day, and is forced to abandon. Two fractures, of the clavicle and of left the radio, and a sad final in the Hospital of Oristano, pending to repatriate to Spain. In the meanwhile, his team mate, Jordi Viladoms, wins both the special tests of the fifth day of competition, and thus the stage. In the race, Cyril Despres is the new leader. The French, who had finished in second place the first special, is aware of injury of the opponent, and even sorry, concludes in the fifth position. A second "victim" of a fall in the second special test, Matteo Graziani, who had closed the first with a special in a eloquent fifth place, with is a foot fracture. Even for him comes the moment of withdrawal. The race is transformed, what was written yesterday, not worth anything today. Marc won his first mach ball yesterday, but lost the match today. Graziani was returning at the level of the Italian champion, but its nice progression ends before his arrival in the Mount Limbara. The best of the Italians, Andrea Mancini, climbs another step of the podium, thanks to the exit of Coma, but then falls back to third place because of the splendid comeback of Viladoms. A thrilling race, never predictable, nor, much less obvious. In this seesaw of emotions, the reconciliation of the spirit of the rally in Mount Limbara Highs. The pilots will spend the night at the bivouac. This is a maraton stage, the riders may not receive assistance. They are all gathered around the banquet organized by Bike Village at. .. Bike Mountain Village. 3rd Day thriller at the Sardinia Rally Race. Hard Lands, long hours of driving, and exhausting attention to the notes of the road book. To cope with the two special drawn mostly in the Sulcis Iglesiente, designed and inspired by the myth of the Labyrinth, competitors had to squeeze all their best qualities. They will be happy, winners and losers, of having lived a day to remember. The outline of the tactical stage, the "ring", with departure and arrival at Arborea, required the attack of Cyril Despres. Easy to say, not to be realized, on tracks such techniques and with so many difficulties in navigation. A role of the pursuer, in a step not ideal for this part. In the first Special Despres managed to recover to Marc Coma nearly two minutes. The French won, and better than the Spanish was also Alex Zanotti, the Italian leading a small patrol of fellows, very fast and good at navigating, like Ceci and Graziani. Andrea Mancini, third in the overall, committed a small error in navigation. In the second special Spaniards organized better the defense, by applying a better team tactic. Coma gave the way to Jordi Viladoms, the Engineer of Catalan Igualada, that signed a shocking success in the maybe most technical special test of the rally. Despres was forced by the "pressure" to commit a small error, again. The profile of the special test was reversed. Marc Coma was second, but better than Despres, which added another thirty seconds to te gap with the rival. Andrea Mancini, on the grand finale of the stage, consolidates his third absolute position.
From the east coast at sunset. The route becomes progressively more technical and more difficult navigation. The scenery is beautiful there. Spanish wins both special and switched to the command. Second stage, May 29, from Cardedu to Arborea. From sunrise to sunset. Total 340 km (30km trasf. PS1 + 70km + 30km Transfer. 60km + PS2 + 160 km). Yesterday, the advantage of Cyril Despres was almost a minute, but the Frenchman now pays more than five to Marc Coma, now the leader of the Sardegna Rally Race 2009. "I started strong, determined to recover at least a part of the disadvantage. The first Special Test could be "interpreted " in this way, but in the second, much more "surfed", I immediatametne realized that the risk was very high: here in Sardinia, just one second of distraction and you can loose five minutes. "The synthesis of the second stage in the words of Marc Coma, the new leader of the race at the finish line of Arborea, at the end of a long second stage, 360 kilometers, of Rallly World. Despres has fallen victim to the carelessness of a moment, and has paid twice when committed two more small errors trying to recover. Spanish Repsol KTM Team, winning both the special tests of the day, has balanced the accounts of the victories. In fact, the duel between the two super-samples is unleashed! But the chair of the leader of the Sardinia Rally Race is always not comfortable nor safe. It is a fascinating feature of the Rally already, immediately detected last year during the firs tedition of the Rally organized by Bike Village. No less interesting is the evolution of the race behind the two "rivals". Andrea Mancini has demonstrated once again to be one of the most successful rider, and his third place overall is the tangible confirmation. Together with Mancini, Matteo Graziani, with a fine third place in the second special test, and Luca Manca, second in the opening test. In anticipation of tomorrow's stage, which will bring the 65 competitors still in the race in the maze of hellish Sulcis Iglesiente (but with a break on the beach paradise of Fontanamare), Bike Village can be fully satisfied that it has added a nearly perfect day in the "dossier" of the Sardegna Rally Race in 2009. First Step. Ogliastra Reegion and the return of the "Holder"! After the first day devoted to testing and to the prologue, this is the first stage. To find the line with the paths to the Sardinia Rally Race in 2009. Moderate commitment, and the first message to the "sailors". Cyril Despres wins. Transfer interrupted ... First Step, May 28: From San Teodoro to Cardedu through Lower Gallura, Barbagia Ogliastra. 370 KM Total (20km + 90km + PS1 + 110km Transfer 70Km PS2 + 80km) San Teodoro, May 29. Cyril Despres has completed the first leg of the Sardinia Rally Race, between San Teodoro and Cardedu of 360 kilometers, as well as in the rally of a year ago: as a "Dominator". The French, who has a debt of gratitude to Sardinia, returned to writing with the wheels of his KTM official the novel of a new edition of a beautiful race. He won the first special stage in front of the Champion of the Dakar, Marc Coma, with its unmistakable style guide: little vehemence and absolute precision in its execution. A "show" very pleased, to the point that Despres was keen to give a second special, even "damaging" Marc Coma With three victories on three tests, the "Holder" is also the leader of the rally, of course. Spanish Marc Coma, second, is less than a minute of posting from the French, and third was installed today the Italian Andrea Mancini, that still opens the perspective of an interesting "comparison" between the "Africans" Rallies and the original Sardinia Rally Race. Large areas of the Black Continent, in fact, require great attention to navigation over long distances, while the Italian Rally, as well as being very technical, has a navigation "nervous", made up of notes of the road book coming at high rate. The Italians, therefore, accustomed to an excellent Italian Championship, are more accustomed to these rhythms, but it is also true that the class of the "bigs", for now, seems to be enough to fix the matter. The Sardinia Rally Race wqas interrupted today in an original hitch. A farmer has crossed the track to competitors in the transfer between the two special tests, indicating as a reason the fact that his cows are in the spawning period. Soon after, however, he asked two hundred euros to each pilot who had wanted to go. The organizers came in shelters, "grafting" on a route by-pass that led to a little postponement of the time of the time table. Tomorrow, May 30, the second leg of the Rally, the "coast to coast" that will link the eastern beach of Cardedu with the Western one of Arborea. Still about 350 kilometers, two special tests. In the meanwhile it is already playing the duel between the two best specialists in the world, Cyril Despres and Marc Coma.
77 competitors: a record. But you just know that. David Casteu wins first Test Speciale, only 13 kilometers. But not a joke: it is already ranking. San Teodoro, May 28th. 13 kilometers to lightning, a ring of track on Mount Nieddu dominating on San Teodoro. Very slippery track, due to the granite soil covered with dry earth. Then stones, elbow bends, braking at the edge of the escarpments. Less than 13 minutes for the winner, Frenchman David Casteu, who won the trophy of San Teodoro in front of Ruben Faria and Francisco "Chaleco" Lopez. The scenery of "Vigna di Gaspare" was the natural stage of the first special test of the Sardinia Rally Race 2009. 77 players. The atomic number of the Iridium, a strong metal transition. As this Sardinia Rally Race, third round of the World Raly Raid TT, organized by Bike Village. The star split into two "currents of opinion". Some, like the winners, have done everything to win the first special stage, others, like the "bigs" Cyril Despres (winner of last year), and the Dakar champion Marc Coma. have preferred to settle for a less prestigious position, but certainly more comfortable on stage tomorrow, since they will not be forced to open the track of the first "full proof" of Sardegna Rally Race. An exciting first conclusion at bar Amber Day, with prizes and drink. The perfect metaphor of the first day of the World Rally in Sardinia. Tomorrow we start all over again, with the step that leads to Cardedu: 360 km in total, with two special tests, respectively 96 and 75. A wide arc around Gennargentu and a spectacular finish at the sea Cardedu. A stage that Antonello Chiara and Gian Renzo Bazzu, deus ex machina of Bike Village, announced as "moderately challenging. Just to get in tune with the characteristics of the race. And with the difficulty of navigation"
Cyril Despres conquers Sardinian Rally in championship style KTM factory rider Cyril Despres of France put in superb last day performance in the five day Sardinian Rally to secure a solid victory and underline the champion that he is. Riders had to tackle demanding mountain and coastal terrain on the beautiful Mediterranean island and each day presented them with new offroad challenges. The race was never a clear cut issue until the final day. While second placed Matteo Graziani and KTM factory rider David Casteu went into the final stage still as top contenders, they were unable to overcome the power of the leading French KTM rider. In the final reckoning it was Despres on the top of the podium, Italian Matteo Graziani in second place and fellow KTM factory rider Francisco Lopez of Chile who took the minor placing in the first of the world championship series. Fighting to stay ahead of the game Despres showed his skill, stamina and endurance. He overcame some small mistakes in the early part of the rally and some problems with his navigation in the middle of the week. But on the last day he was definitely a tour de force. He went out and took the special tests, the stage and rode to victory in the final 300 km with the same tactical skill that has won him races like the legendary Dakar. Despres satisfied "After the cancellation of the 2008 Dakar quite a few riders have made the World Championship their principle objective and it is a great source of satisfaction to win the opening round," Despres told his fans. He also praised the beauty and variety of terrain on the island, saying he felt like "a kid in a toy shop". The next race on the hit list of the French rider is the Erzberg Rodeo in June. Casteu finishes solidly after mid race incident David Casteu also succeeded in making up valuable ground after an incident in the middle of the rally when he was involved in a collision with Jordi Farres. The incident came about when Casteu and Lopez made a navigation mistake and were riding back on the course to correct it. While the Frenchman Casteu was able to continue to the finish, Farres was not so lucky. He fractured his foot and had to retire. The other KTM factory riders, Jordi Viladoms (Repsol KTM), Casteu (Offroad KTM) and Frans Verhoeven (Kastle KTM Vectra) all finished in the top 10. Indeed six of the top 10 riders were riding machines from the Austrian manufacturer, making the 2008 Sardinia Rally a real success for KTM as well as the company's factory team riders. Final Results 1. Cyril Despres, France, KTM 2. Matteo Graziani, Italy, KTM 3. Francisco Lopez, Chile, KTM 4. Massimo Chiesa, Italy, Kawasaki 5. Jordi Viladoms, Spain, KTM 6. Luca Manca, Italy, TM 7. David Casteu, France, KTM 8. Victor Rivera, Spain, PKL 9. Helder Rodrigues, Portugual, Honda 10. Frans Verhoeven, Netherlands, KTM
One stage to go: David Casteu is the today’s winner and Despres is sttill leaqding the race. But… One more beautiful stage, still very difficult, mainly because of the navigation problems that the rider encountered. Same damned navigation, but at this time, consequences can inspire the development of different strategies. That’s one of the exclusivities of this first Cross Country Rally date. The facts: almost 300 kilometers, between the village of Fonni and the city of Arbatax. From the deep central valleys of Sardinia to the fresh calmness of the sea. And two special tests, 39 and 51 km long. Two winners, two “admirals” in the difficult job of navigating the today’s new world route: Chilean Francisco Lopez and French David Casteu. Casteu is also the winner of the stage, and Cyril Despres is still the leader of the race. But something has changed today, something that can foresee a completely different situation at the end of the race. Look at the leader. Today Despres was a little be nervous. Maybe because of his high sense of responsability (but maybe because of the problems he had to face with his trip computer). Anyway he has to confirm his leadership of the “last” dakar, and also that of this one never done. To win the Sardegna Rally Race could be a good opportunity for him to renew his high class reputation. But. Behind the French, now the situation is a little bit different. Until yesterday his main competitor was a rider, even if strong, almost completely unknown on the international scene, Italian Alex Zanotti. Tomorrow the first two riders at the start will be David Casteu, as the winner of the stage, and Matteo Graziani. The italian is undoubtly one of the best specialist in this kind of “nervous” races. Togheter with Casteu, the two could made a big difference, if only they will decide to face the long stage as a team, and cooperate in order to recover the six minutes of gap and succesfully fight Cyril Despres. By the same way, some pressure could occur, and the french, even if alone, will be forced to attack. Maybe not the best way to afford the final leg of the Sardinian Rally. Finally we only have to wait for some hours more, for the “verdict” of the “forum” of San Teodoro, and the “judge” is still the same, the timekeeper. Wich one of the three talented champions will be the winner? An answer that requires a presuppose. That one of this great, uncertain and thriling six days race named Sardegna Rally Race. Sardegna Rally Race 2008 - Cross Country World Championship Day 4The untouchable Despres, the incident of Ceci, and the Manca’s Profecy. And the today's victory of Jordi Viladoms Any kind of thrill events happened today in the day 4 of the Sardegna Rally Race. Not all were too much happy. First of all we have to speak about the incident that occur to Paolo Ceci. The young and strong Aprilia teammate crashed in the very final part of the second special test of the day, just few kilometers from the finish. Finally nothing really serious, but at the very first moment the organizers decided to shorter the test in order to concentrate all their resources in the emergency. Cyril Despres, the first rider behind Ceci, alerted the organization, and the medicals of RMT came in a flash. Eight minutes more and the italian was in the Nuoro town hospital. A broken arm, a deep cut in his tongue, but nothing more serious. Only the disappointing consideration that just the day before Ceci was the hero of the Rally, and then , some hours later, his dream was broken. That’s the reason because of the cancellation of the second special test of the day. Cinically, this was one of the most expected days of the Rally, because of the related second special test was traced thinking at the historical days of the rally, when all the days were very long and demanding. This test was designed entirely across the magical Burgos Forest. The riders enjoyed the day’s track, even without running the final section over any speed limit. The main reason is that they love the Sardinian terrain, and much more the unbelievable landsdcapes the discover kilometer after kilometer. Finally they enjoy also the screenplay of this Sardegna Rally Race. First at the crossing of the finish line, spanish Repsol KTM official team rider Jordi Viladoms (above) finally showed his great talent, winning the first special test and the today’s leg. Non one mistake in navigating the route, like yesterday, and a very powerful performance. Some seconds over Cyril Despres, and a nothing before the strongest sardinian rallyman, Luca Manca. The last winner of the last Dakar Cyril Despres is still leading the race, but this shoulders have to be ready to sustain the pressure of Alex Zanotti and Matteo Graziani, now second and third in the general ranking. Tomorrow the rally moves to Arbatax, a really nice beach village of the east cost, but for the 57 riders still in the race, it will be one more hard day. An almost 300 kilometers stage, with two special tests of 39 and 52 kilometers. Route to Arbatax, the shadow of the Gannargentu mountain chain darking the labirinth of the beautiful but demandin pists. Many thanks, and please stops laughing because of my english.  Sardegna
Rally Race 2008 - Cross Country World Championship Day 3
Italians (but especially Paolo Ceci) do it better… Day two for the Sardegna Rally Race. A very demanding leg, 270 kilometers long with two special tests. A “short” one, “only” 37 kilometers, and the longest one of this first edition of the Rally organized by Bike Village. A day were the experience of the Italians came out and a lot of action toke place. The difference with the African Rallies (Dakar, Pharaons and Tunisia) and the Sardegna Rally Racfe is that the Africans ones are long hard on the body, and the riders have to be able to drive on sands dunes but with just few notes on the road book. In fact you may change direction after hundreds of kilometer. In the Italian Sardegna Rally Race the main requested ability is to read suddenly changes of directions even after just hundred or few meters, speed in not the most important factor then, but not making mistake makes the difference. So today for those mistake some of the african champions were penalized for and the italians toke advantage of it to climb the overall ranking. Because of that, today we are allowed to say that “italians do it better”. This is finally the leit motiv of the today fast journey of the 60 riders, dominated by the incredible performance of Paolo Ceci. The italian won the first special test, and was second in the second one, paying a only 3 second gap to the leader of the race, Cyril Despres. Some other italians were also smart. And at the end, from second to the fifth place of the general overall, you only can read italian names: Ceci for sure, but also Alex Zanotti, Massimo Chiesa and Matteo Graziani. And what happened to the “stars” of the days before? Nothing exceptional. They only “loose” theirselves some times, adding more disavantage to their tireness. Many of them were involved in a sort of “mass mistake”, an involuntary “cut” of the track that is now the puzzle of the technicians of the tracking system. They have to check every single track recording, in order to “discover” the “guilts” and to penalize them. For that reason, the final results are now expected later in the night. But the next down will reveal one of the most esciting routes of this Sardegna Raly Race, this one that will re-introduce the “historical” Burgos Forest special test. Stay in touch, looking for your riders in internet, with the Sporttraxx tracking system. Please open the official rally page, www.bikevillage.it, and look for it. First victory for Helder Rodriguez. The Super Stars are still waiting… San Teodoro, May 4th, 2008. The Sardegna rally Race it started! 60 of the most famous drivers of the world did the first short special test, on a dirt track just out side the door of the turistic city of San Teodoro, east coast of Sardinia. Almost 3 kilometer of dunes, jumps and short fast strechtes and of dirt land. The winner of the first day race is the portoguese Helder Rodriguez, just ahead of Ruben Faria, also from Portugal.The two riders are very expert enduro racers, but the today race is far from the caractheristics of the cross country rally. Thirth place for another “Iberic”, the Spanish Ruben Faria, forth for Matteo Graziani. The Italian is the one of the favorites of this race, because of his almost 50 successes in the italian Motorally and Raid TT scene. Graziani has also 4 victories in in different rallies held in the country of Sardinia. Today’s race was an introduction, a sort of welcome to the Racers, useful only to establish the starting order of the tomorrow real race. The tomorrow 250 kilometers “ring”, that will have his start at Olbia and the finish in San Teodoro, will include two special test of 50 kilometer each. Tomorrow we will know the riders of this rally superstars that feel confortable in this kind of landscape and “navigating” the hard routes of this magnificent Rally race. Other grea Prologue Results 1. Rodriguez Helder, Honda, POR 2. Faria Ruben, Honda, POR 3. Farres Gerard, KTM, SPA 4. Graziani Matteo, KTM ITA 5. Casteu David, KTM FRA 6. Pellicer, Jose, KTM SPA 7. Manca Luca, TM, ITA 8. Lopez Francisco, KTM, CHI 9. Despres Cyril, KTM, FRA 10. Viladoms Jordi, KTM, SPA Sardinia Rally Race 2008 Cross-Country Rallies World Championship From 4 to 9 May: a memorable rally. Missing just over a month to the World Championship Rally Raid TT, and the first test of the Championship is the Sardinia Rally Race. For several reasons the first edition of the Rally "labelled" Bike Village shows itself as the event of the season. The first, and perhaps most exciting reason, is that the Bike Village staff is working hard to achieve an unforgettable 2008 big rally race opening season. The whole Bike Village staff activities are focused on different goals, all aimed at the establishment of Rally when the most famous and beautiful races were organized. Sardinia Rally Race won't be just a competition at the highest and most technical level, but an event where the atmosphere will be strongly and inseparably linked to Sardinia too. A magical place where traditions, culture and spectacular sceneries are unique and live together. Well: Sardinia Rally Race will propose to its competitors the whole "weight " of this Sardinia. The Rally is competition, adventure and pleasure at the same time: in fact, Bike Village, which was created to achieve proposals for an audience of connoisseurs, is always focused not only on pilots, which will run in the first really important race of the season, but also on their guests, who are relatives and friends to the competitors. Bike Village organisation offers regal hospitality for everybody. To let the competition be second to none, Bike Village has recruited the best technicians, by defining a fable run with special tests that will leave its mark on the history of the rally. But the big battle that the organisers have now won was fought on the front of the costs of participation. The Sardinia Rally Race will be the Rally World Championship (but not only) cheapest overall, with a record that probably will remain unbeaten for a long time. Have a look to the site www.bikevillage.it, to see how rates, options and opportunities that the Sardinia Rally Race reserve to its competitors and guests are competitive, and since the first glance you will realize that Bike Village job is serious, original and constructive. All this won't be possible without the a greater sense of responsibility of the organisers, guaranteed by the twenty years experience of Antonello Chiara, Bike Village chief. In a very critical moment for the specialty, which lives a period where the major rallies are disappearing and where new others are growing up only to create caos to a timetable which is already reduced to historically low, Sardinia Rally Race is a real breath of fresh air for the specialty and especially for the riders, their teams and the Houses. The organisers have been reassured on the goodness of their project by the membership of the best pilots of the world. Bike Village, focusing its attention on the total agreement and satisfaction, does not hide the ambitious but achievable goal to counts a hundred drivers for the first edition of the Sardinia Rally Race. Champions, non-professionals and amateurs drivers all together to live an unforgettable race. The main dates: More Infos: www.bikevillage.it , +39 02 9901161, FAX +39 02 99480802
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Coma
is Out. Despres as Leader Again
Marc Coma overtakes Cyril Despres!
The Very First Special Test of the Sardegna Rally
Race 2009. 
Sardegna
Rally Race 2008 - Cross Country World Championship Final Day
Sardegna
Rally Race 2008 - Cross Country World Championship Final Day
