VOL. 53 ISSUE 29 JULY 26, 2016 P33
HRC DOMINATES BAJA ARAGON 2016
J
oan Barreda took top honors at
the Baja Aragon 2016, dominat-
ing the two-day rally to take his third
overall win in the event. Inspired
by both the Dakar Rally and Baja
California, the unique event sends
riders through the dusty, rocky terrain
of Aragon, Spain. As part of the FIM
Bajas World Cup, the Baja Aragon
is round two of four that leads riders
through desert-like terrain in Europe.
Although it is not part of the FIM
Cross-Country
Rallies World
Championship,
the race still
drew out some
top rally com-
petitors such as Barreda.
"I'm really happy, particularly because we were
able to race without making any mistakes, which
was our original aim," said Barreda. "We set out
looking for a very fast pace. There were some
stretches where we were really able to push hard.
These are very positive results for the team that
will give us valuable information."
Finishing second was Himoinsa Team's Gared
Farres, who edged out Barreda's Team HRC
teammate Michael Metge for the runner-up posi-
tion.
"I was very competitive from the first moment
and I wasn't that far off the others," Metge ex-
plained. "A podium finish is a great result for me
and also for the team. We will be very competitive
in the Dakar, that I'm sure of." CN
Baja Aragon 2016
1. Joan Barreda (Hon) 7:01:22
2. Gerard Farres (Hon) +8:17
3. Michael Metge (Hon) +10:08
4. Oriol Mena (Hon) +12:03
5. David Adria (Hon) +13:10
6. Joan Pedrero (Shr) +14:03
7. Xavier De Soultrait (Yam) +14:07
8. Marc Sola (Yam) +23:42
9. Adrien Metge (Shr) +29:03
10. Jose Manuel Pellicer (Suz) +35:08
(L-R) Gerard Farres, Barreda and
Michael Metge made up the all
Honda Baja Aragon 2016 podium.
Joan Barreda led
the way from start
to finish, taking the
overall win at the
event for the third
time.
PHOTOGRAPHY
BY
HRC
