De Soultrait Increases Overall Lead With One Stage To Go At Merzouga Rally

2017-05-11 08:40
Wrapping up the two-day-long marathon stage with third today at the Merzouga Rally, Xavier de Soultrait has managed to increase his lead in the provisional overall standings. One stage before the finish of the event, the Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team rider is holding on to a substantial 12-minute advantage over the rest of the field.

Day two of the marathon stage saw competitors contest a 206km-long stage in mixed terrain and conditions. Starting the day behind Franco Caimi, it didn't take long for de Soultrait to catch his Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team partner. Going on to contest the rest of the stage together, Yamaha's two official representatives finished the day within less than a few minutes.

Posting a total time of three hours and 12 seconds, de Soultrait was the third fastest rider for the day. The Frenchman was followed by his teammate Franco Caimi. With the Argentinean bringing his WR450F Rally machine home in seventh place, the Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team rookie has managed to close the gap to the rider currently placed second in the overall standings.

For Alessandro Botturi, it was a great day of racing aboard his Yamaha machine. Making full use of his vast experience in rally racing, the Italian wrapped up the day in second, just seven seconds behind a provisional stage victory. Alessandro is currently fifth in the event's overall standings.

Tomorrow's sixth and final stage will see all riders kick off the day together in what will be a motocross-styled start. Contested over 50km of dunes, it will be a last test for riders' navigational skills and physical stamina.

Xavier de Soultrait - Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team Xavier de Soultrait - Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team
3rd Stage 5 / 1st Overall

"Everything went well for us in this two-day-long marathon stage. I managed to open the distance at the top of the overall standings and this has been maybe the most important for me. We're now 12 minutes ahead with one stage to go. Today I started second and quickly caught Franco. We rode is some really varied terrain, with dunes, dry rivers, gravel roads, fesh-fesh and even some extreme enduro parts. I feel that I've learned a lot during this event. I've been opening the tracks for most parts of the race so far and that's helped me improve my skills a lot. Our bike is running great. Our mechanics did nothing but the basic maintenance and we are ready to start the final stage tomorrow. Our plan is to remain focused and keep pushing until the end. The stage will be contested in dunes so avoiding navigational mistakes will be crucial."
Franco Caimi - Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team Franco Caimi - Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team
7th Stage 5 / 3rd Overall

"Coming to the end of this two-day-long marathon stage I'm happy I got even closer to the runner-up spot in the overall. It's been two great days on the saddle and I'm happy with my performance. Winning yesterday's stage I had to open the tracks today. I did my best to get a good pace and was caught by Xavier. For us it's more of a team work, so we raced together for the rest of the stage. Racing next to Xavier I could learn a lot. I was there to help me if needed and I'm sure he would do exactly the same for me. As we were getting closer to the end of the stage our pace kept improving. Despite having to deal with tough navigation and lots of direction changes, for us it was like contesting a motocross event. Being fast, we could also make sure we always remained on the right tracks. It was an amazing feeling."
Untitled Alexandre Kowalski - Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team director
"We're really satisfied with the progress our riders are making at this year's Merzouga Rally. Coming here our plan was to continue the development of our bike, while assisting our riders in the battle for victory. Both our riders are doing a phenomenal job. Once again today Xavier impressed us with his ability to open the tracks without making mistakes. His navigational skills have massively improved since the beginning of this year. As for Franco, this is just his first time racing in Africa. Franco is a young talent and we strongly believe he has much more to give. Racing most of today's special stage together, our riders proved there's also a great connection between them. True to the Yamaha spirit, they battle together and are eager to share information and learn. Remaining well within our goals, we are more than ready to battle for victory tomorrow."
Merzouga Rally 2017 - Stage 5 - Provisional Classification
1. Oriol Mena (ESP), Honda, 03:12:04
2. Alessandro Botturi (ITA), Yamaha, 03:12:11, +00:07
3. Xavier de Soultrait (FRA), Yamaha, 03:12:30, +00:26
4. Joaquim Rodrigues (POR), Hero, 03:13:11, +01:07
5. Adrien Metge (FRA), Sherco, 03:14:48, +02:44
6. Juan Pedrero (ESP), Sherco, 03:15:47, +04:43
7. Franco Caimi (ARG), Yamaha, 03:16:15, +04:11

Merzouga Rally 2017 - Overall Classification [After Stage 5 of 6]
1. Xavier de Soultrait (FRA), Yamaha, 13:48:48
2. Gerard Farres (ESP), KTM, 14:01:31, +12:43
3. Franco Caimi (ARG), Yamaha, 14:10:44, +21:56
4. Juan Pedrero (ESP), Sherco, 14:26:58, +38:10
5. Alessandro Botturi (ITA), Yamaha, 14:27:13, +38:25
6. Jacopo Cerutti (ITA), Husqvarna, 14:40:28, +51:40

Source: Yamaha Motor Europe N.V.

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