Cold, demanding and run on the sandy tracks of northern Argentina, stage four of the Desafio Ruta 40 offered a perfect chance for Adrien Van Beveren to demonstrate his speed in long and exhausting rally stages. Overcoming all the issues that troubled the Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team rider on the opening stages of the event, Adrien went on to secure a solid third place result on the event’s penultimate stage from Belén to Tafí del Valle.
Following a challenging stage three yesterday, Adrien entered today’s stage four determined to show more of what he is capable of. Enjoying a solid day aboard his WR450F Rally machine he completed today’s stage three minutes behind the day’s winner.
In what’s been another good day for Xavier de Soulrait, the Frenchman managed to reduce his gap to the rider provisionally holding on to the runner-up spot in the overall standings. Earning a fifth-place result for the day, Xavier has one more stage to further improve on his strong third place overall position.
Thursday’s fifth stage of the year’s Desafio Ruta 40 will take riders to the big finish of the week-long adventure in the city of Tucumán. Including a rather short special stage of 180km, the total distance to be covered during the day is 327km.
Xavier de Soultrait – Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team rider
5th Stage 4 / 3rd Overall
“It was a tough day today and it brought me a step closer to the main goal that is the final podium in Tucumán. Today we went high up in the mountains and conditions were pretty tough. It was cold and there was some demanding navigation in off-piste tracks. I’m happy with my speed in the sandy sections and overall I felt quite good on the bike today. In the final part of the special I felt a bit tired physically but I guess this is quite normal after all these days of racing. I wasn’t as fast as I would have wanted there, but I remained focused on my navigation to come home in fifth place today. Everything is going good at the moment and I can’t wait for the final stage tomorrow.”
Desafio Ruta 40 – Stage 4 – Provisional Classification
1. Kevin Benavides (ARG), Honda, 04:46:12
2. Michael Metge (FRA), Honda, 04:48:42, +02:30
3. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA), Yamaha, 04:49:30, +03:18
4. Ricky Brabec (USA), Honda, 04:51:59, +05:47
5. Xavier de Soultrait (FRA), Yamaha, 04:53:24, +07:12
6. Pablo Quintanilla (CHL), Husqvarna, 04:56:51, +10:39
Desafio Ruta 40 – Provisional Overall Classification [After Stage 4]
1. Kevin Benavides (ARG), Honda, 16:53:27
2. Paulo Goncalves (POR), Honda, 17:04:03, +10:36
3. Xavier de Soultrait (FRA), Yamaha, 17: 27:40, +34:13
4. Pablo Quintanilla (CHL), Husqvarna, 17:47:45, +54:18
5. Ricky Brabec (USA), Honda, 17:54:25, +01:00:58
6. Martin Duplessis (ARG), KTM, 18:36:56, +01:43:29
19. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA), Yamaha, 71:44:41, +54:51:14
Race Schedule – Desafio Ruta 40 2017
Prologue | Aug 26 | San Juan | SS: 5.6km | Total: 26.74km
Stage 1 | Aug 27 | San Juan to Villa Unión | SS: 321.90km | Total: 512.51km
Stage 2 | Aug 28 | Villa Unión to Tinogasta | SS: 336.91km | Total: 437.36km
Stage 3 | Aug 29 | Tinogasta to Belén | SS: 303.97km | Total: 489.20km
Stage 4 | Aug 30 | Belén to Tafí del Valle | SS: 309.14km | Total: 535.84km
Stage 5 | Aug 31 | Tafí del Valle to Tucumán | SS: 180.70km | Total: 327,80km
Adrien Van Beveren – Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team rider
3rd Stage 4 / 19th Overall