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Stage report

Honda: Victory as Rally Dakar gets underway

Joan Barreda wins the 180 kilometre-long special test in the mountains of Cordoba.

Paulo Goncalves and Joan Barreda

Paulo Goncalves and Joan Barreda

Speedbrain Rally Team

The opening stage of the Dakar 2014 couldn´t have gone any better for the HRC Rally Team and its top riders Joan Barreda and Paulo Goncalves. Barreda wins the 180 kilometre-long special test in the mountains of Cordoba, making it a legendary victory for Honda. It is the first win for a factory Honda in 25 years.

Paulo Goncalves and Joan Barreda
Paulo Goncalves and Joan Barreda

Photo by: Speedbrain Rally Team

Joan Barreda: "I´m super happy to take the opening stage today. I´d like to give a big thanks to my team as a reward for the hard work in recent months. The stage wasn´t long, but it was a difficult one. We raced on hard-pack terrain with stones and blind corners. The course was twisty and you had to stay focused. I was doing fine, finding my rhythm soon and keeping it to the finish. I will enjoy this evening!"

Paulo Goncalves: "I´m pretty satisfied with the first day. I started 10th and was getting comfortable quickly, despite the layout being tricky and winding. I passed the riders in front of me soon. The circumstances for tomorrow are good, the bike is running well."

Provisional Results Stage 1:

1. Joan Barreda (ESP, Honda) 2:25:31 hrs
2. Marc Coma (ESP, KTM) +00:00:37
3. Cyril Despres (FRA, Yamaha) +00:01:40
4. Alain Duclos (FRA, Sherco) +00:01:56
5. Paulo Goncalves (PRT, Honda) +00:02:25
6. Francisco Lopez (CHL, KTM) +00:03:24
7. Juan Pedrero Garcia (ESP, Sherco) +00:03:47
8. Sam Sunderland (GBR, Honda) +00:04:33
9. Michael Metge (FRA, Yamaha) +00:04:33
10. Alessandro Botturi (ITA, Speedbrain) +00:04:48

KRC

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