MOTOR SPORTS NEWS

Latest News

  • 2022 FIA Middle East Rally Championship, Rd4 at Jordan Rally – 19-21 May
  • Super 5th for CONOR DALY in the No. 20 BitNile Chevrolet at GMR GP at Indianapolis
  • Miami Grand Prix given extra sparkle by Williams Racing….and Surge!
  • Gillan grinds to the top of the podium at the Cookstown 100 road races
  • CONOR DALY – Ed Carpenter Racing BitNile Chevrolet, Qualifies 4th at GMR Grand Prix at Indy
  • Home
  • News
  • Dakar
    • DAKAR 2016
    • Dakar 2015
  • Cross-Country Rally
  • Notice Board
  • Rally
  • Motorbike
  • Touring Cars
  • Circuit Racing
  • Events
  • follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Google+
    • Pinterest
    • RSS Feed
    • Linked
    • Youtube

KTM primed after successful prologue on Rally Morocco

Oct 04, 2018


  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
Tweet
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing riders Toby Price, Matthias Walkner and Sam Sunderland have posted the three fastest times on the short, 10-kilometre Prologue stage of the 2018 Rally du Maroc. KTM Factory Racing rider Luciano Benavides successfully completed the timed special in 10th.
Held near the city of Fes in the north east of Morocco, the Prologue marked the opening day of racing at the 2018 Rally du Maroc. The 47 kilometres covered by the riders included a short 10 kilometre timed special held on fast, but extremely slippery terrain. The results of this sprint decide the start order for Friday’s Stage One.

Coming into this final round of the 2018 FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship just eight points down on the leader, Toby Price is aiming to claim as many points from the event as possible, including stage wins. Flying on the Moroccan dirt, Price posted the fastest time on the stage, 10 seconds ahead of the second-placed rider. Earning himself first pick of the start order for tomorrow’s stage, the 2016 Dakar Rally Champion has given himself the best advantage possible as he starts the rally.

Toby Price: “It was a really tricky, slippery stage today but I’ve come out with the win so I’m happy with that and get first pick for tomorrow. It doesn’t make too much difference to the overall rally, but it’s nice to know my pace is good and the plan is to push on again tomorrow and hopefully get another good result.”

Second fastest on the Prologue was Matthias Walkner. With his KTM 450 RALLY performing perfectly, the Austrian rider enjoyed riding the stage and also looks forward to an advantageous start position for Friday’s 489-kilometre Stage One.

Matthias Walkner: “It was a good day today, I started third and already there were lots of small stones everywhere that made the stage extremely tricky. I am very happy with my performance though and didn’t make any silly mistakes. The goal was always to arrive in the top-three, so second fastest is great. Tomorrow’s stage doesn’t look too bad navigation-wise but you never know. It’s been a good start to the rally nut there are five long days ahead.”

Close to full fitness following the injury he sustained to his foot at the Atacama Rally in August, Sam Sunderland was able to push hard on the day’s special stage and claim the third fastest time. Out of the championship chase due to the rounds missed during the year, Sam’s main goal in Morocco is to fight for a good result while building back up his strength and rhythm ahead of the Dakar Rally in just three months’ time.

Sam Sunderland: “That was a good stage, it was only short but gave me my first taste of proper racing since I broke my foot a couple of months ago. It’s nice to get back in a good rhythm and third fastest is not so bad. The bike was feeling great and I am really enjoying riding right now. I’ve got a good start position for tomorrow and I’m looking forward to the week ahead.”

KTM Factory Racing’s Luciano Benavides rode a solid Prologue stage to finish 10th fastest. The young Argentinian continues to work on his pace onboard his KTM 450 RALLY, with the Rally du Maroc marking just his third competitive outing since breaking his back at the 2018 Dakar Rally last January.

Luciano Benavides: “I felt really good today and it’s nice to get a little more confidence back. It was only 10 kilometres, so the main focus is the next five days. I think my goal will be the same though, to ride smooth and consistent and finish the rally healthy and well.”

Friday’s Stage One of the Rally du Maroc will see riders leave Fes and head for Erfoud in the Sahara Desert. The stage comprises a total of 489 kilometres, 167 of which is timed special.

Results – Prologue Stage 2018 Rally du Maroc

1. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 8:47
2. Matthias Walkner (AUT), KTM, 8:57 +10 seconds
3. Sam Sunderland (GBR), KTM, 9:00 +13 secs
4. Ricky Brabec (USA), Honda, 9:02 +15 secs
5. Kevin Benavides (ARG), Honda, 9:02 +15 secs
Other KTM
10. Luciano Benavides (ARG), KTM, 9:13 +26 secs
12. Mario Patrao (POR), KTM, 9:21 +34 secs


  • tweet
Related articles
  • 2022 FIA Middle East Rally Championship, Rd4 at Jordan Rally – 19-21 May
    2022 FIA Middle East Rally...

    May 15, 2022 Comments Off on 2022 FIA Middle East Rally Championship, Rd4 at Jordan Rally – 19-21 May

  • Super 5th for CONOR DALY in the No. 20 BitNile Chevrolet at GMR GP at Indianapolis
    Super 5th for CONOR DALY in the No. 20...

    May 15, 2022 Comments Off on Super 5th for CONOR DALY in the No. 20 BitNile Chevrolet at GMR GP at Indianapolis

  • Miami Grand Prix given extra sparkle by Williams Racing….and Surge!
    Miami Grand Prix given extra sparkle by...

    May 14, 2022 Comments Off on Miami Grand Prix given extra sparkle by Williams Racing….and Surge!

  • Gillan grinds to the top of the podium at the Cookstown 100 road races
    Gillan grinds to the top of the podium...

    May 14, 2022 Comments Off on Gillan grinds to the top of the podium at the Cookstown 100 road races

More in this category
  • Gillan grinds to the top of the podium at the Cookstown 100 road races
    Gillan grinds to the top of the podium...

    Comments Off on Gillan grinds to the top of the podium at the Cookstown 100 road races

  • Test of the Audi RS Q e-tron and the Ducati DesertX in Sardinia
    Test of the Audi RS Q e-tron and the...

    Comments Off on Test of the Audi RS Q e-tron and the Ducati DesertX in Sardinia

  • Gillan to hit the road running in various Motorbike Road Racing Series
    Gillan to hit the road running in...

    Comments Off on Gillan to hit the road running in various Motorbike Road Racing Series

  • Entries Open for Rallye du Maroc 2022 Edition
    Entries Open for Rallye du Maroc 2022...

    Comments Off on Entries Open for Rallye du Maroc 2022 Edition


Fleet Car Magazine

Notice Board

  • Killarney Forestry Rally to raise funds for Air Ambulance
    Killarney Forestry Rally to raise funds for Air Ambulance

    Feb 03, 2022

    TweetRally drivers from across Ireland will help fund...
  • McHugh’s Service Station, Ballindine Mayo Stages Rally, 6 March 2022
    McHugh’s Service Station, Ballindine Mayo Stages Rally, 6...

    Jan 27, 2022

    TweetMayo & District Motorsport Club, organisers of the...
  • Osian Pryce takes second British Rally Championship victory in a row at Cambrian Rally – 4th BRC win for Creighton
    Osian Pryce takes second British Rally Championship victory...

    Oct 31, 2021

    Tweet William Creighton takes his fourth Junior BRC win of...
  • Audi Sport electrifies with U.S. star Ken Block
    Audi Sport electrifies with U.S. star Ken Block

    Sep 24, 2021

    Tweet Electrifying addition to the brand with the four...
  • Formula One Car by Car 1990-99 by Evro Publishing
    Formula One Car by Car 1990-99 by Evro Publishing

    Apr 16, 2021

    TweetThis instalment in Evro’s decade-by-decade series...

Categories

  • Africa Eco-Race
  • Baja
  • BRC
  • Circuit Racing
  • Cross-Country Rally
  • Dakar
  • Dakar 2015
  • DAKAR 2016
  • DAKAR 2017
  • DAKAR 2019 PERU
  • DAKAR RALLY 2018
  • EV Motorsport
  • Events
  • EverGreeens: Irish Abroad
  • Extreme E
  • Forestry Rally
  • Formula 1
  • Hillclimb
  • IndyCar Series
  • Interview
  • Middle East Rally Championship
  • Morocco Rally
  • Motorbike
  • News
  • Notice Board
  • Rally
  • RallyX
  • Related products
  • Review
  • Sportscars
  • Touring Cars
  • Tribute
  • Truck Racing
  • Uncategorized
  • Video
  • WRC
Tweets by @IrMotSportNews

Recent Posts

Test of the Audi RS Q e-tron and the Ducati DesertX in Sardinia

Test of the Audi RS Q e-tron and the Ducati DesertX in Sardinia

May 08, 2022

Tweet The new DesertX motorcycle and the RS Q e-tron for the Dakar Rally. The designers of both brands have created an unmistakable, joint look for the motorcycle and the car.  Two unusual vehicles,...
Read More
Entries Open for Rallye du Maroc 2022 Edition

Entries Open for Rallye du Maroc 2022 Edition

May 02, 2022

Extreme E marks Earth Day with Amazon programme visit

Extreme E marks Earth Day with Amazon programme...

Apr 23, 2022

M-Sport to pursue Dakar ambitions with Neil Woolridge Motorsport

M-Sport to pursue Dakar ambitions with Neil...

Apr 14, 2022

Dacia secures victory in the Crossover category of the 31st Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc

Dacia secures victory in the Crossover category...

Apr 10, 2022

Copyright 2016 / All rights reserved