Barreda consolidates Baja Aragón leadership with one day to run

Joan Barreda and Michael Metge wrapped up a great all-round Monster Energy Honda Team effort on day two of the 2017 Baja Aragón, dominating both special stages of the competition.

In the first of the two specials, Barreda rocketed through the 133.78 km course, opening the track before posting the day’s fastest time of 1:42’32. The only competitor to get anywhere near was Monster Energy Honda Team comrade Michael Metge, finishing some eighteen seconds adrift of the rider from Castellón.

The second special proved to be the longest and toughest of the day due mainly to the fact that the cars and trucks had previously carved up the track, leading to several close scrapes for Barreda. In part two the Monster Energy Honda Team ace was again flying to cruise home seven minutes ahead of Metge. The overall standings after day two show Barreda comfortably leading with a 7’28” surplus over team-mate Michael Metge and 9’27” ahead of third place Joan Pedrero.

The Baja Aragón 2017 concludes tomorrow with a single timed stage of 184 kilometres.

Joan Barreda

“I am happy and satisfied with today's work. They were two very tough specials, the first one was a bit cold and one more refuelling than the other. It was a short stage where I had to sort out a minor problem, then the second much longer one, where the races stretched out. I fell in a stony area and I damaged the exhaust pipe, so I had to take care of the bike over the final few kilometres. I am happy to have kept such a fast pace and hope to repeat it tomorrow.”

Michael Metge

“Today went very well, especially concerning my sensations on the CRF450 RALLY. In the special, I really enjoyed the riding. This morning I had to push a little before the start of the special, and then, in this afternoon’s special, I made a slight mistake and followed some track marks that weren’t right. I lost a bit of time, but in general not too much and I am well ranked in the overall standings. I think the most important are my sensations with the bike and my physical aspect which is holding up very well.”