Joan Barreda untouchable in the Vegas to Reno race
By TMX Archives on 22nd Aug 16
Team HRCs Joan Barreda has scooped a fine win in the 20th edition of Americas legendary Vegas to Reno. The Spaniard dominated the 1000 kilometres of Nevada dust and desert.
Joan Barreda proved to be the fastest over the 644 mile ‘Vegas to Reno' – the longest off-road race in the USA. The race, now in its twentieth year, featured no less than 342 participants.
This is the second straight win for Joan Barreda after July's Baja Aragón triumph and the fourth consecutive victory for Team HRC.
Barreda, starting out from third position, finished the first day's 475 kilometre stint in second spot. Barreda continued to up the ante with an excellent performance on his maiden Nevada Desert adventure. He crossed the line with a 7-and-a-half minute advantage over the nearest second-place rival.
Frenchman Metge favoured less well after a heavy blow to the rear wheel in the first stage made handling difficult. In addition, the rider was sanctioned with a hefty 30 minute penalty for changing the wheel. In spite of having to start from back in 20th position on Sunday, Metge fought back through the accumulation of dust on the track to take fifth spot on the day and sixth overall.
