2013 Rally dos Sertoes Stage Five Results
Speedbrain’s Paolo Goncalves took his third-stage win Monday during Brazil’s Rally dos Sertoes, round five of six in the 2013 FIM Cross-Countries Rallies Championship.
This was also the Portuguese rider’s fifth podium in as many stages, and overall he trails the reigning Rally dos Sertoes Champion, KTM’s Marc Coma. The Spaniard Coma – a three-time Dakar winner – finished second in stage five, with Yamaha’s Cyril Despres taking the final podium position.
Monday’s “marathon” stage took the riders over 300 miles from Porangatu to Natividade without any help from the team staff following the finish line. Speedbrain reports the terrain was provided several different kinds of difficulties. Fast and slippery sections were followed by hard and stony tracks.
Gonclaves started stage five third following his third-place finish behind Despres on Sunday, which was the Frenchman’s first-ever stage win on the Yamaha following his switch from KTM.
Gonvlaves quickly caught up to Despres and Coma by the halfway point, and was able to take the lead and retain it to the checkered flag.
Paulo Goncalves (Speedbrain 450 Rally) says: “I am really happy to grab the third victory for my team today at the Sertoes. My Speedbrain 450 Rally was running perfect. At the halfway point of the ten day race the overall win is clearly our focus. Nevertheless I will ride carefully tomorrow. Today it was not allowed to change the worn out tires so I will have to take care of that to reach the finish line safely.”
The second part of the marathon stage on Tuesday takes the riders 263 miles to Palmas, with a special stage of 220 miles. It’s expected to be another battle between Coma Goncalves and Despres as the Rally dos Sertoes begins the second half of the overall race.
2013 Rally dos Sertoes Stage 5 Results:
1. Paulo Goncalves (PRT, Speedbrain) 03:58:05 hrs
2. Coma (ESP, KTM) +00:01:02
3. Despres (FRA, Yamaha) +00:02:37
4. Metge (FRA, Yamaha) +00:04:47
5. Przygonski (POL, KTM) +00:04:54
2013 Rally dos Sertoes Overall Standings after Stage 5:
1. Coma (ESP, KTM) 11:38:59 hrs
2. Paulo Goncalves (PRT, Speedbrain) +00:02:24
3. Despres (FRA, Yamaha) +00:03:14
4. Przygonski (POL, KTM) +00:23:16
5. Metge (FRA, Yamaha) +00:23:39