22.04.2016

Sam Sunderland takes the line honors at the Sealine Cross-Country Rally

2nd Rd. Rally 2016 – Sealine Cross-Country Rally (QAT), Final
Sam Sunderland KTM 450 RALLY Qatar 2016 © Marcin Kin KTM Media Library

This press release has: 7 Images
Red Bull KTM factory rider Sam Sunderland on Friday wrapped up the win at the Sealine Cross-Country Rally in Qatar, the second round of the FIM Cross Country Rallies World Championship. The British rider, who took second place in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge two weeks ago, now moves into the lead in the world championship points.
Sam Sunderland, who is based in Dubai, had an excellent week and led the overall times over the final three laps. He won the third and fourth stages on his KTM 450 RALLY and was second in the first and fifth in a competition that came down to a two-way battle between him and Chilean Pablo Quintanilla in the latter stages.

The two riders went into the fourth stage on Thursday absolutely equal in overall times. Quintanilla then lost important time in the penultimate stage due to a navigational error and handed the advantage to Sunderland. In the end the race went to Sunderland by a margin of around nine minutes but he emphasized that the nature of the terrain of the Sealine Cross-Country Rally meant a big commitment in concentration, as well as riding and physical skills.

“This is definitely a rally that’s heavy on the mind,” Sunderland said. “Here there are so many stones and if you hit one when you take a look at the road book it can be the end of your rally.” Sunderland said he was tired but “very happy” at the end of the five stages. “Today it was again difficult navigation. I rode on my own for the first 230-240km so I was able to control my race. After than Pablo (Quintanilla) caught up with me, which was nice because it’s always good to ride with someone else.”

His KTM Factory Racing Team colleagues did not fare so well. Laia Sanz crashed in the opening stage. She retired with some muscle damage in her ellbow and returned home to Spain. The Australian Toby Price, winner of the first round at Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, retired after the second stage after a medical check revealed he had a slipped disk in his back, which was causing some pinched nerve problems in his leg.

Next Race: June 2-7, 2016 – Sardegna Rally Race (ITA)

Final Standings Sealine Cross-Country Rally 2016 after 5 of 5 stages
1. Sam Sunderland (GBR), KTM, 19:14:07 h
2. Pablo Quintanilla (CHI), Husqvarna, +9:38 min
3. Helder Rodrigues (POR), Yamaha, +30:46
4. Juan Carlos Salvatierra (BOL), KTM, +54:22
5. Pela Renet (FRA), Husqvarna, +1:00:27 h
Other KTM
DNF Toby Price (AUS), KTM
DNF Laia Sanz (ESP), KTM

Standings FIM Cross Country Rallies World Championship after 2 of 5 rounds
1. Sunderland, 53 points
2. Quintanilla, 43
3. Price, 30
4. Renet, 30
5. Rodrigues, 25
Other KTM
9. Sanz, 13

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Images (7)

Sam Sunderland KTM 450 RALLY Qatar 2016
2 000 x 1 333 © Marcin Kin KTM Media Library
Sam Sunderland KTM 450 RALLY Podium Qatar 2016
2 500 x 1 667 © Marcin Kin KTM Media Library
Sam Sunderland KTM 450 RALLY Podium Qatar 2016
2 500 x 1 666 © Marcin Kin KTM Media Library
Sam Sunderland & Team KTM 450 RALLY Podium Qatar 2016
2 500 x 1 667 © Marcin Kin KTM Media Library
Sam Sunderland KTM 450 RALLY Qatar 2016
2 000 x 1 333 © Marcin Kin KTM Media Library
Toby Price KTM 450 RALLY Qatar 2016
2 500 x 1 666 © Marcin Kin KTM Media Library
Laia Sanz & Mechanic KTM 450 RALLY Qatar 2016
2 500 x 1 667 © Marcin Kin KTM Media Library


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