Fish cracks the top 10 in Abu Dhabi
Australia's Matthew Fish has finished – with a wafer thin budget – ninth in the opening round of the 2012 Cross Country Rally World ChampionshipWhile KTM factory rider Marc Coma once again proved he is the supremo in the sand when he took a decisive victory in the 2012 Abu Dhabi Challenge, further down the field Aussie Matthew Fish produced a superb effort to finish ninth on a privateer KTM after five days in extreme temperatures.
It was Fish’s first attempt on the emirates desert showpiece, and he completed the event in 21 hours, 33 minutes and seven seconds (21.33:07), with the top three positions held by Coma (20.33:35) and Husqvarna pair Joan Barreda-Bort (20.43:08) and Paulo Goncalves (20.53:59).
Coma (pictured) applied just the right formula to set himself up for victory: fast on some days, cautious on others to avoid risks, and putting on the pressure when it was necessary. The Spaniard oscillated between winning legs and finishing back in the pack for a good start position the following day.
The final day was a high-speed dash through the desert complete with camels on the track as riders headed back to the capital and the ceremonial finish.
Meanwhile, Australia’s second rider, Troy O’Connor, was 25th overall and second in the over 450cc class.
The next round of the 2012 FIM Cross Country Rally World Championship begins in Qatar on April 17.
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