| Today the Monster Energy Honda Team talked to the press at HRC’s base just outside of Barcelona and launched the first video edit of the new-look five-rider factory squad that will face the 2017 Dakar Rally on January 2nd in South America. After their public unveiling on the eve of the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan, Italy a fortnight ago, the Iberian nucleus of the team consisting of Joan Barreda (Spain), Paolo Gonçalves (Portugal) and Frenchman Michael Metge spoke at length about the 9000km challenge ahead in the New Year. Along with Ricky Brabec (USA) and Kevin Benavides (Argentina) the quintet will be backed by the nuance and might of the world’s biggest motorcycle manufacturer (and world champions in MotoGP and MXGP this year) for their latest tilt at one of the most coveted motorsport titles.
“I’m happy with our season so far and after the last Dakar we sat down to talk and work on some things,” said 33 year old vanguard Barreda, a winner of three rallies on the Honda in 2016 already and who attempts the Dakar for the seventh time next year. With thirteen stage victories he is one of the team’s strongest hopes for the crown. “Through the changes within the team and the logistics and we looked at our weak points. We have worked hard on the mechanical side and done many kilometres to make this development; everything adds up and we’ve found a good direction thanks to all this groundwork.”
37 year old Gonçalves, a Dakar runner-up in 2015 and former FIM Cross-Country Rallies Champion, was another to speak, and commented on the evolution of the exotic works CRF450 Rally. “The bike was already pretty good when I joined the team in 2013 but we have worked really hard to make it better, safer and more competitive,” the Portuguese commented. “Now after so many hours and days it is time to give something back to all the people that have made this team and project come together and reach the level we have.”
Riding Honda’s CRF450 Rally, the team showed their skills and comfort on the dirt in an eye-catching and highly visual video clip.
The Monster Energy Honda crew now make final preparations with a view to the long trip to South America in the coming month and where the last days of acclimatisation will take place before the blast away from the starting point in Paraguay. |
