RUI GONÇALVES WINS PROLOGUE
Rui Gonçalves has kicked off Baja España Aragón Trofeo AVATEL with a victory in the
prologue that took place in the surroundings of Teruel. The Sherco rider was the
fastest on the 6 km timed special.
The Portuguese rider finished 3’6” ahead of Tosha Schareina (KTM) while Lorenzo
Santolino took third place at 5’2”. This Baja is very intense, very fast and physically
very hard. The starting position for tomorrow is good and I hope not to have any dust
on a day when a lot of things can happen," Santolino said.
In the quad category, Jerome Connart set the best time 19” ahead of Dani Vila and
Kevin Giroud, second and third respectively in the prologue.
Friday’s race also was the premiere of the Trail category, with Iván Cervantes leading in
the 600cc Trail category and Joan Pedrero leading in the Maxi Trail category.
On Saturday, the rest of the categories will start at 7.46am in the first of the two
special stages of the day, with a total of 400 kilometres against the clock. Four-time
winner Nasser Al-Attiyah will be one of the favourites in the car category alongside
Yazeed Al-Rajhi and Dutchman Erik Van Loon. “I’m very happy to be here again and I’m
here to enjoy the race. It’s a really tough track but I’m going to fight for the victory”,
the Qatari said at the official press conference held this afternoon at the Palacio de
Exposiciones y Congresos de Teruel.
In the SSV category, one of the novelties in this year’s Baja España Aragón Trofeo
AVATEL is the presence of WRC driver Dani Sordo.”It’s a special Baja because the
sections are similar to those of the rallies and will help me to get used to the car
better. I’m going to do my best to win”, said the Cantabrian.
Today’s press conference was also attended by the mayor of Teruel, Emma Buj, and
the president of the Provincial Council, Manuel Rando, among other officials from the
regions of Teruel, Jiloca and Albarracín.