The only European rally held in the desert just has concluded. Guadix (Granada) hosted the 3rd edition of Hispania Rally 2020, the first international rally of the season with the “Sierra Nevada” mountains in the background. The bivouac welcomed more than 180 riders from 26 countries to enjoy five days and 1,500 kilometers of intense racing.
Julián Villarrubia won the first day of the rally after the 214-kilometer stage. Quads´ class was controlled by Dani Vila and in SSV, Jerome Meuret.
Day two included two special stages. Julián Villarrubia made a spectacular first special getting the first place. The second special, with more than 130 kilometers, made the difference among all participants. Pedrero has made a perfect special and climbed to first place with Villarrubia in second place. In quads and SSVs the classification remains unchanged with Dani Vilà and Jean Claude Pla from France, in the lead respectively.
On the occasion of an extremely sad and unfortunate incident, racing on day three was canceled. The charismatic rider Alberto Martínez (9/26/1977) better known as "Albertito Carpediem" passed away due to a traffic accident on the A-92 highway. The incident took place at a non-competitive section before the competitive specials.
A tribute was made to the Basque rider and all the participants honored Martínez carrying a sticker with the number 14.
Day four featured more than 320 km with two long specials. The river-crossing and stony tracks, increased the differences between the head positions. Pedrero has taken the day with more than nine minutes ahead of the Portuguese Mario Patrao. In quads, Dani Vilà was remaining unstoppable while in SSVs, Francisco Lobo was controlling the class.
The last stage of Hispania Rally 2020 has 176 km. A short and fast day with technical areas and demanding navigation. Joan Pedrero won Hispania 2020, ahead of Mario Patrao and Julián Villarrubia. In quads, Dani Vilà has had no rival throughout the rally and Jerome Pla from France has finally given the surprise in SSV.
The fourth edition of Hispania Rally is already underway. Andalusia will once again be the headquarters of Hispania 2021.
The race was marked by the terrible and inexplicable death of Alberto Martínez, without doubt, the soul of the bivouac. A man whose passion and eternal smile filled every corner of the rally caravan.
Photo Credit: Actiongraphers
