Adrien Van Beveren Safely Through Merzouga Rally Prologue

April 1, 2019 Michael Le Pard News Comments Off

Successfully completing the short, opening prologue on day one of the 2019 Merzouga Rally in Morocco, Adrien Van Beveren recorded the fourth fastest time to head into today’s first full stage of competition in confident spirits and looking forward to the event’s expected navigational challenges that lie ahead.

At little more than two minutes in length, the Merzouga Rally prologue gave riders the chance to turn their wheels in anger for the first time in what is the 10^th running of the event. With less than 10 seconds separating the fastest eight riders, completing the stage without mistakes was the primary objective. In doing that, and posting the fourth fastest time, Van Beveren will begin the event’s first full stage on his WR450F Rally machine, well positioned to challenge for the stage win.

Competing in his first ever rally event aboard a Dragon Rally Team prepared WR450F Rally machine, Jamie McCanney posted the third fastest prologue time. Just four seconds behind winner Michael Metge, McCanney now enters the Merzouga Rally focused only on experiencing his first international rally event and learning as much as he can during his time competing in Morocco.

Adrien Van Beveren

Yamalube Yamaha Official Team rider

“The real rally starts now. Everything went well with the prologue and starting 12^th for this first stage is good. Navigation will be tricky, so I must give my full attention to the road book as well as the riders ahead of me. It looks like the stage will start with smaller dunes before the neutralisation zone. Then the terrain will change, and we expect it to be rougher, with less sand. No matter what it will be good to get back into a true rally stage.”

Merzouga Rally 2019

Prologue Provisional Classification

1. Michael Metge (FRA), Sherco, 2:16
2. Stefan Svitko (SVK), KTM, 2:20 +0:04
3. Jamie McCanney (GBR), Yamaha, 2:20 +0:04
4. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA), Yamaha, 2:21 +0:05
5. Joaquim Rodrigues (PRT), Hero, 2:21 +0:05
6. Ross Branch (BWA), KTM, 2:22 +0:06

Race Schedule – Merzouga Rally 2019

~~Prologue / March 31 / Erfoud~~
Stage 1 / April 1 / Erfoud to Erfoud
Stage 2 / April 2 / Erfoud to Erfoud
Stage 3 / April 3 / Erfoud to Marathon Bivouac
Stage 4 / April 4 / Marathon Bivouac to Erfoud
Stage 5 / April 5 / Extreme GP

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