OVERALL VICTORY FOR MARC COMA IN THE BAJA ESPAÑA
ARAGÓN 2008
In the end “Nani” Roma was second in the car
category and Viladoms retired with engine problems
After winnning the three stages that made up the 25th edition
of the Baja España Aragón, Marc Coma carried
off the crown at this Spanish classic for the second time,
ahead of Cyril Despres and David Casteau. On the other hand
Jordi Viladoms had to say farewell to the race just after
the start of 127 kilometre special that the riders and drivers
had this morning, suffering from engine problems at the very
start of the day`s racing.
In cars, “Nani” Roma finished the stage in third
place and second overall, and therefore on the second step
of the podium.
Coma had a 127 kilometre special stage to tackle, but he
had an advantage of more than three minutes. Once again the
Repsol rider set a faster pace than any of his rivals and
he rounded off the weekend with his third stage victory. Jordi
Viladoms, who yesterday climbed one position in the classification,
saw all his hopes of a good result today disappear, as he
opened the throttle for the first time right at the start
of the special, the mechanical problems made him retire there
and then.
In the car category “Nani” Roma had to make do
with second position in the Baja España Aragón
2008. The Repsol driver finished in third position today behind
Terranova and Al-Attiyah the overall winner who demonstrated
a very high driving level, above all on the most technical
and twisty sections. It was a difficult race for Roma, who
driving the Mitsubishi Montero Evolution MPR13 was adversely
affected by the latest restrictions imposed by the FIA on
petrol engines, watching as his rivals gained seconds on him
driving along the fast tracks in Aragon with their diesel
engines.
Quotes
Cars
"Nani" Roma >> 9 h 38 min 6 secs.
“Today`s stage, taking into account the lead that Nasser
Al-Attiyah had, was practically a formality. But it had to
completed, and these are difficult types of stage as they
require a lot of concentration.
Today`s special had the same beginning and end as yesterday`s
stage, but with a more technical central section, where there
were a lot of rocks and you had to be very careful. As on
the previous days it is a little frustrating to go fast and
take risks, and then seeing your rivals getting away from
you again on the fast zones. Whatever, we tried to do the
best we could and go as fast as possible. In the end we finished
second, which is not the objective we set ourselves because
we came to win. But sometimes you can`t, and you just have
to congrtulate Al-Attiyah and the BMW team because they had
a great race. It is sad that the regulations penalise us so
much, but now we have to work on the car again, and hope that
next year we can win, because I now believe that we will have
a very good diesel car for the Dakar and so we will be able
to try.”
Motorcycling
Marc Coma >> 9 h 40 min 33 secs.
“I am very pleased since I have won a special edition,
the 25th anniversary race. We had been preparing the race
for some days, and the outcome is very positive as it was
important not to make small mistakes, but in this type of
race these are the difference between winning or losing.
This year is a bit complicated, without the Dakar, then in
the first important race, in Hungary I fell. I could not go
to Sardinia, and in Brazil we had tyre problems. We have finally
had a race where things did not go wrong and we have been
able to do everything possible to win over the four days of
the competition. I am very satisfied. I want to thank all
the work that the team has done, since in a sprint like this
their work is very important. All the tyre changes and refuelling
stops were crucial moments and they all went well. Today`s
stage was a 127 kilometre special that was quite technical.
The kilometres passed slowly, as is normal when you are in
a position to win. You always want to reach the finishing
line and you have a psychological battle in your head. In
the end we arrived without any problems, and that important.
This was a very varied Baja, with stages in the mountains,
stages with a lot of rocks, and other fast stages. It`s a
Baja. I think that it deserves all the plaudits it gets, and
once again it has demonstrated why it gets them.”
Jordi Viladoms >> retired
“Today we finished very early on. On the first kilometre
we had engine problems, I suppose that it was damaged yesterday
but we did not realise. It was a race that we did not start
well, and on each day we had to fightback and climb in the
classification.
I tried to go fast right to the end, and today I started near
the front, my intention was to try and get a good result in
the stage. But that wasn`t to be either. I had not raced here
for two years and I think I will be better prepared for next
year`s.”
Results
>> Coches
1. AL ATTIYAH - THÖRNER (BMW) 9:28:58
2. ROMA - CRUZ SENRA (REPSOL MITSUBISHI) + 9:08
3. CAMPOS - BAPTISTA (BMW) + 17:33
4. NOVITSKIY - TYUPENKIN (BMW) + 55:34
5. VAN DEIJNE - ROSEGAAR (MITSUBISHI) + 1:06:40
>> Motos
1. Marc COMA (REPSOL KTM) 9:40:23
2. Cyril DESPRES (KTM) + 5:19
3. David CASTEAU (KTM) + 24:32
4. Pablo TORAL (APRILIA) + 39:48
5. Jesús PORTOLES (KTM) + 49:45
NC. Jordi VILADOMS (REPSOL KTM)
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