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By Mike Mitchell |
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March 27, 2010 -
Arch, who had won the Defending champion Paul Bonhomme of Britain won the first Red Bull Air Race of the 2010 season in Abu Dhabi on Saturday with a hard-fought victory in scorching heat, finishing just ahead of compatriot Nigel Lamb (2nd) and Hungary’s Peter Besenyei (3rd) in an eventful battle over the turquoise waters of the Arabian Gulf. |
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With temperatures rising above 40
degrees and the strong desert winds suddenly shifting direction just
hours before the race, the 2010 season opener turned into one of the
most dramatic races in the six-year history of the Red Bull Air Race
World Championship.
Michael Goulian took a strong fourth place but the
American’s day nevertheless ended in disappointment as well when he was
unable to fly in the final due to technical problems. “It’s a great start to the new year,” said Bonhomme, who took 12 points and picked up his 12th career victory. Bonhomme, like fellow Red Bull Air Race veterans Lamb and Besenyei, was a master of the difficult weather conditions and managed to stay calm despite some extraordinary challenges. Bonhomme’s winning time was 1:14.06. Lamb was 0.86 seconds behind and Besenyei was 7.12 behind. “It’s fascinating what we’ve seen today”, said Bonhomme. “The wind changed direction and it sorts everyone out. The temperature was also a factor. To keep your concentration up in these conditions is quite a task. I don’t think it’s a coincidence (that only veterans were on the podium). Experience helps on days like today. You have to keep an eye on what happens and play the tactics just right.” Lamb and Besenyei, who both struggled somewhat in fair weather training earlier in the week, rose to the occasion in the heat and treacherous winds. Visibility was also hampered by desert winds filled with sand. |
“Today was a day
of race tactics and strategy,” said Lamb. The Team Breitling pilot added
that he hoped to make a habit of getting on the podium after taking an
identical second place in Arch of Team Abu Dhabi was clearly upset with the disqualification, which stunned thousands of the local fans watching along the Corniche. “I don't have a clue about what the stewards saw,” he said. “It was a normal racing situation.”
The first race of
the 2010 season was also a learning experience for the two rookies.
Martin Sonka of the |
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