Thrilling Start to Rallye du Maroc
The opening timed section of the Rallye du Maroc, measuring just 16.7 kilometers, may have seemed short, yet the challenging combination of stony and sandy tracks demanded precision and skill from the riders. This initial segment, coupled with an additional 158 kilometers of road sections leading to and from Agadir, set the stage for a demanding first day in Morocco. Following a triumphant performance at the Desafío Ruta 40 in Argentina, the Monster Energy Honda HRC Rally 2 team carried their momentum into this event, showcasing their talent and determination once more.
Bruno Crivilin's Prologue Victory
Making his debut at the Rallye du Maroc and only his second rally-raid event, Bruno Crivilin delivered an impressive performance, clinching the fastest time in the Rally 2 category by a narrow margin of just six-tenths of a second ahead of his closest competitor. This victory not only added to Honda's impressive tally of Rally 2 stage wins but also marked Crivilin's second victory in this category, following his breakthrough win in the opening stage of the Desafío Ruta 40. His success in the prologue sets a positive tone for his Moroccan campaign, instilling confidence as he prepares to tackle the full stages ahead on his Honda CRF450RX RALLY.
Martim Ventura, who is currently leading the Rally 2 World Cup standings, showcased his skill by finishing in third place, just one second behind Crivilin. Despite encountering a small error and battling through dusty conditions, Ventura maintained a strong position heading into the first full stage of the rally. Preston Campbell, competing in his second Rallye du Maroc, secured fourth place, six seconds behind Crivilin. After a productive summer of training, he is eager to leverage the experience gained from last year's event to compete among the Rally 2 frontrunners throughout the week.
The first full stage of the rally will take riders from the scenic coastal city of Agadir to the east towards Zagora, a region known as the gateway to the Sahara. This stage promises an extensive challenge of 636 kilometers, including a grueling 268 kilometers of timed segments, representing the first significant test of this year's Rallye du Maroc.
Ruben Faria, team manager for Monster Energy Honda HRC, expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance, highlighting Crivilin's impressive prologue win and Ventura's strong showing. He noted that while Ventura made a couple of mistakes, his quick recovery kept him in a favorable position moving forward. Faria emphasized the importance of taking the rally one day at a time, especially for Crivilin, who is still acclimating to the navigation and terrain.
Reflecting on the prologue, the riders expressed their thoughts: Crivilin praised the stage's mix of speed and terrain, while Ventura acknowledged the challenges posed by dust and mistakes. Campbell, feeling more comfortable in Morocco this year, noted the quick pace of the prologue and the importance of maintaining focus on the waypoints amidst the rocky and sandy conditions.
As reported by honda.racing.
