ホアン・バレダ選手とCRF450 RALLY、Honda25年ぶりのステージ優勝

2013年10月、モロッコラリーとメルズーガラリーを立て続けに制した新型CRF450 RALLY。その強さはダカールラリー2014でも発揮され、Hondaワークス(TEAM HRC)復帰2年目にして、25年ぶりのステージウインをもたらしました。

1986年から89年にかけ、NXR750を擁してダカールラリーにワークス参戦し、4連覇を成し遂げたHonda。その最終年となった89年、Hondaワークスのライダーであるジル・ラレイが、12月25日にスタートした「パリ～チュニス～ダカールラリー」の第15ステージ(1月11日)を制しました。

Honda had proved its strength last October with the new CRF450 RALLY, winning both the Morocco Rally and the Merzouga Rally. Thus, the team has taken command of the first stage of the 2014 edition, after 25 years of absence.

It was back on 11th January 1989 when the official Honda HRC savoured victory for the last time. That was when Gilles Lalay took the fifteenth stage of the Paris-Tunisia-Dakar. Now, in the second year back in the event after a 24 year official absence, Joan Barreda has picked up a crucial first stage win on the CRF450 RALLY. After 25 years, Honda are back in the running.

It was a very early start for the Rally Dakar. The pack of riders headed off at four in the morning on a long 405 kilometre liasion that took them towards the vibrant city of Rosario for the start of the 180 km special.

Joan Barreda on the Honda CRF450 RALLY, got off to a storming start in the special, clocking up the fastest time of all the 175 riders at the first time-check, in this, the 2014 edition of the legendary Dakar. He would repeat the same feat at the end of the stage. Team-mate Paulo Gonçalves also kept up a cracking pace, holding on to fifth place at the close.

Sam Sunderland’s Honda debut at the Dakar was productive, taking ninth position. Javier Pizzolito finished 19th and Helder Rodrigues in 22nd.

Team HRC のレースレポートはこちらから