Greece Rally 2022 comes to an end with great success!
The OffRoadTeam once again prepared and provided another sussesfull rally. Even though there were some COVID19 restrictions the team managed to provide the riders an unforgetful rally with new routes, leaving the riders stunned with the amazing views.
After last years crash, #1 Stefan Svitko bounced back winning the rally for another time. The Slovak was hungry for the victory and used full gas to win most of the stages with #2 Arunas GELAZNINKAS (LT) taking 2nd and #322 Tobias EBSTER (AU) rounding up the podium.
Overall Top 10:
1. #1 Stefan SVITKO (SK) 21h24’36”
2. #2 Arunas GELAZNINKAS (LT) 22h49’10”
3. #322 Tobias EBSTER (AU) 23h07’26”
4. #3 Martin BENKO (SK) 25h34’12”
5. #4 Roberto BARBIERI (IT) 27h00’49”
6. #23 Raz HEYMAN (ISR) 27h18’29”
7. #304 Merijn KERSTEN (NL) 27h29’23”
8. #12 Vasilis STOGIANOS (GR) 27h31’55”
9. #9 Jan ZATKO VLCEK (SK) 27h37’11”
10. #14 George DENNISON (IR) 28h09’45”
Results per day.
DAY 1
Day 1 and first race day, nothing hard, just so that the riders can get a feel of what is to be seen in the next few days.
Day 1 is the prologue and this year it was the SSS1 Egnatia Road passing through ELIA and Raktivan of Veria.
Last year #1 Stefan SVITKO (SK) retired after a crash but this year he is back in force, finishing first on the stage with a time of 00:36’52” 2nd to finish was Tobias EBSTER with KTM EXC 450 (AU) and third was Aruna GELAZNINKAS (LT) with Husqvarna FE450. Fastest Greek rider was the local Vasilis STOGIANOS with HONDA CRF 250R.
Top 5:
1. #1 Stefan SVITKO (SK)
2. #322 Tobias EBSTER (AU)
3. #2 Arunas GELAZNINKAS (LT)
4. #3 Martin BENKO (SK)
5. #4 Roberto BARBIERI (IT)
DAY 2
Day 2 and the first round of Vermio. The riders got the chance to pass by two ski resorts, Seli and 3-5 Pigadia Ski Centers but… without the snow! Weather conditions…. Perfect for racing!
Fastest rider again was #1 Stefan Svitko but #322 Tobias EBSTER very close behind until he had an unlucky moment running out of fuel, which left him far behind. 2nd to finish the stage was #2 Arunas GELAZNINKAS and 3rd was #4 Roberto BARBIERI
The first Greek to finish the stage was #11 George Stogianos with the local having all of Veria at his side.
At the end of the Special Stage a small catering service was provided by the municipality of Naousa giving a well needed rest to all riders, before the return to Veria.
Top 5#
#1 Stefan SVITKO
#2 Arunas GELAZNINKAS
#4 Roberto BARBIERI
#3 Martin BENKO
#304 Merijn KERSTEN
Overall:
#1 Stefan SVITKO
#2 Arunas GELAZNINKAS
#4 Roberto BARBIERI
#3 Martin BENKO
#304 Merijn KERSTEN
DAY 3
Day 3 was the longest stage of the Greece Rally week, up to 350kms, and up the Paiko mountain. The riders enjoyed a variety of different terrain ranging from deep forests abandoned tracks, hidden rocky passages and fast gravel roads.
The terrain didn’t stop the leader, as the Slovak #1 Stefan SVITKO took first place with the Austrian #322 Tobias EBSTER coming in second and #2 Arunas GELAZNINKAS from Lithuanian in third.
The 1st Greek to finish the stage was #12 Vasilis Stogianos with his brother #11 George Stogianos very close behind. The two brothers fighting it out head to head, no brotherly love here.
Top 5#
#1 Stefan SVITKO
#322 Tobias EBSTER
#2 Arunas GELAZNINKAS
#4 Roberto BARBIERI
#24 Robin LYNCH
Overall:
#1 Stefan SVITKO
#2 Arunas GELAZNINKAS
#4 Roberto BARBIERI
#3 Martin BENKO
#322 Tobias EBSTER
DAY 4
The 4th day, was just 100kms, near the ancient place of Vergina, giving the opportunity to the riders to visit the Ancient site after the finish of the Special Stage. The light rain at the last kilometers, made the track more interesting, and the level difficulty higher. The nice and easy stage seeing the Slovak #1 Stefan SVITKO taking first place with #322 Tobias EBSTER coming in second and #2 Arunas GELAZNINKAS from Lithuanian in third.
The 1st Greek who finish the stage was #12 Vasilis Stogianos with his brother #11 George Stogianos not starting due to technical problems with his Honda CRF 250R. Christos Pelousis #51 is continuing the good performance in his class!
Top 5#
#1 Stefan SVITKO
#322 Tobias EBSTER
#2 Arunas GELAZNINKAS
#3 Martin BENKO
#305 Mark HURLSTON
Overall:
#1 Stefan SVITKO
#2 Arunas GELAZNINKAS
#322 Tobias EBSTER
#3 Martin BENKO
#303 Timo HEINEN
DAY 5
Day 5 and that means the longest special stage and the hardest day to hit Greece Rally. Weather conditions were rain, rain, rain and a bit more rain, making the track muddy and fully wet! Not all the riders made it to the finish line… The water puddles, the navigation skills at Seli Ski Center and the difficult animal paths made the stage very demanding to body. So from the 5h49’ time for the 1st rider, the last one needed almost 10 hours to reach the end!
The big surprise of the race was #322 Tobias EBSTER taking the stage, after going head to head with second place #1 Stefan SVITKO. Third for the day was again #2 Arunas GELAZNINKAS.
Top 5#
#322 Tobias EBSTER
#1 Stefan SVITKO
#2 Arunas GELAZNINKAS
#4 Roberto BARBIERI
#3 Martin BENKO
Overall:
#1 Stefan SVITKO
#2 Arunas GELAZNINKAS
#322 Tobias EBSTER
#3 Martin BENKO
#9 Jan ZATKO
DAY 6
Days 6 brings to the riders another long day with 270 kms total and 217km of special stage 6 at Pieria and Velvedos.
The riders get the chance to pass through the Aliakmonas river then up to the mountain of Pieria and back down again for a refuel at Velvedos village. After the refuel the riders advance up to an altitude of 2024m to the Velvedos refuge. Laying down to Elatochori Ski Center and the deep forest of Pieria mountains, before the end at Sfikia Village with fingerfood and domestic “Raki” from the village’s residents.
First to finish the stage was #1 Stefan SVITKO and #322 Tobias EBSTER in second with #2 Arunas GELAZNINKAS filling up third place.
The 1st Greek to finish the stage was #11 George Stogianos with his brother #12 Vasilis Stogianos close behind followed by #51 Christos PELOUSIS.
Top 5#
#1 Stefan SVITKO
#322 Tobias EBSTER
#2 Arunas GELAZNINKAS
#3 Martin BENKO
#305 Mark HURLSTON
Overall:
#1 Stefan SVITKO
#2 Arunas GELAZNINKAS
#322 Tobias EBSTER
#3 Martin BENKO
#4 Roberto BARBIERI
DAY 7
We also need to thank our sponsors for making Greece Rally 2021 possible as they bring a lot to the table. Thank you to Aiges Melathron, Golden Tyre, Superfast Ferries, Moto Market, Thymiopoulos Vineyards, Voreia Beer, Nektar soft drinks, EKO Kalliaridis, Basakis Sweets, Toyota Podas, Veria Police Department, Kyanthos Wines and Makaronas Antonis A.E. drink trader.
In addition, we would like to thank everyone that made Greece Rally 2021 possible. It takes many people to organize Greece Rally and without them, it would not be possible. Thanks goes out to the doctors, medics, marshals, timekeepers, stewards, volunteers, Pre & Last riders, drivers and recovery crews.
Also a massive thank you to Alessio and Matteo for the amazing job they do, providing us with stunning photos and videos. Check out all there work in the Images and Videos section.
Preparations for the Greece Rally 2022 has already begun and we have started the planning for a more exciting rally for 2022, bring new routes and stages to the rally.
See you next year at Greece Rally 2022!