Monster Energy Honda Team got the 2017 Baja Aragón off to a flying start with Joan Barreda romping home in first place and team-mate Michael Metge, third in the curtain-raising event.
Joan Barreda – his Honda CRF450 emblazoned with the number one – scorched his way through the short nine-kilometre prologue to clinch victory with a six second advantage over the nearest second-place rival.
Michael Metge, who had finished third overall last year, also kept up a cracking pace on the Honda CRF450 RALLY, posting third on the day some fifteen seconds behind his Monster Energy Honda Team companion.
Tomorrow will see two special sectors with a total of 350 kilometres to run.
Joan Barreda
“We’ve won the prologue and I’m happy about that as the prologues are always complicated as there is such a lot of sprinting involved. I had to stay very focused over the first few kilometres and after I was able to let go a bit. The bike went really well and the sensations are good. Now it’s time to start thinking about the upcoming stages and find a steady pace which will allow us to ride some good stages.”
Michael Metge
“The prologue always brings some pressure as the first part of the race is crucial. I had to attack right from the get-go and not make any mistakes in this super special. I thought that I might have had a slight clutch issue but in the end it was nothing and I was able to finish in a good third position, which I think will be great for tomorrow’s stage.”