First major test in the dunes for Speedbrain

The second stage of the recent Rally Dakar held on Monday proved to be a major test in the dunes of Nihuil.

#44 Speedbrain: Pedro Oliveira and #38 Speedbrain: Jeremias Israel

Photo by: Speedbrain Rally Team

The long special stage started with a high-speed section before the final 100 km demanded a lot from the riders - both in terms of riding skills and stamina. The grey sand at Nihuil is extremely deep and the shape of the dunes can be really harsh. Navigation was critical.

The Speedbrain customer race team was ready for the challenge. Chilean Jeremias Israel led the quintet with a careful yet commanding ride. The former Motocross pro improved nicely in the standings, breaking into the top twenty.

Meanwhile Juan Carlos Salvatierra and his support rider Paolo Ceci had to stop for a minor repair job during the special. They acted as teamplayers and could continue without losing too much time. Unfortunately Alessandro Botturi was less lucky. The Italian got lost in a hard-to-maneuver part of the dunes. Portugal´s Pedro Oliviera finished the day in the upper third of the classification.

Jeremias Israel Esquerre: "We rode high-speed at first through the dust. Then came the dunes and very deep sand. The shape of the dunes was really harsh, very difficult and navigation was so important. My steady ride helped me to gain ground. I´m fully motivated for the next days and I´m happy our team works that well."

Tuesday marks the first part of the first marathon stage. The total distance is 665 km, 373 km of them are against the clock. The finish is right at the bivouac. The riders will climb up to 4,300 metres altitude.

rovisional result Dakar 2014, Stage 2:

1. Sam Sunderland (GBR, Honda) 3:42:10 hrs
2. Francisco Lopez (CHL, KTM) +00:00:39
3. Joan Barreda (ESP, Honda) +00:02:00
4. Ruben Faria (PRT, KTM) +00:04:07
5. Alain Duclos (FRA, Sherco) +00:05:51
6. Ben Grabham (AUS, KTM) +00:07:15
7. David Casteu (FRA, KTM) +00:07:27
8. Paulo Goncalves (PRT, Honda) +00:07:45
9. Marc Coma (ESP, KTM) +00:08:23
10. Cyril Despres (FRA, Yamaha) +00:08:43
20. Jeremias Israel Esquerre (CHL, Speedbrain) +00:19:36
33. Juan Carlos Salvatierra (BOL, Speedbrain) +00:44:15
42. Paolo Ceci (ITA, Speedbrain) +00:54:21
49. Pedro Oliveira (PRT, Speedbrain) +01:01:03

Provisional overall standings after stage 2:

1. Joan Barreda (ESP, Honda) 06:09:41 hrs
2. Francisco Lopez (CHL, KTM) +00:02:03
3. Sam Sunderland (GBR, Honda) +00:02:33
4. Alain Duclos (FRA, Sherco) +00:05:47
5. Marc Coma (ESP, KTM) +00:07:00
6. Ruben Faria (PRT, KTM) +00:07:18
7. Paulo Goncalves (PRT, Honda) +00:08:10
8. Cyril Despres (FRA, Yamaha) +00:08:23
9. Ben Grabham (AUS, KTM) +00:10:05
10. David Casteu (FRA, KTM) +00:10:59
20. Jeremias Israel Esquerre (CHL, Speedbrain) +00:27:25
33. Juan Carlos Salvatierra (BOL, Speedbrain) +01:00:39
42. Paolo Ceci (ITA, Speedbrain) +01:05:59
47. Pedro Oliveira (PRT, Speedbrain) +01:22:09

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