Edges Paul Bonhomme By Eight-Hundredths Of A Second

In a day full of surprises in Rovinj, Croatia, Hannes Arch won in a characteristically electrifying performance in the second Red Bull Air Race since the series was re-established. His time of 00:59.01 was just 0:00.08 ahead of Paul Bonhomme, in a final that had fans both in Croatia and around the world on the edge of their seats. Japan's Yoshi Muroya made the podium for the first time in his race career after pushing Canada's Pete McLeod into a reluctant fourth place.

Austria's Hannes Arch came from behind to beat defending champion Paul Bonhomme in a riveting final in the second stop of the eight-leg Red Bull Air Race World Championship on Sunday in Rovinj, Croatia. Arch was trailing Bonhomme at the midway point of the final round by 0.23 seconds but opened the throttle with a full power second lap on the obstacle course set up on the Adriatic Sea. This marked his eighth career victory and evened the score with his British rival at the top of the 2014 championship standings at 21 points each. The Austrian, who won the 2008 championship, posted the fastest time of the day.
 
"It's really special," said Arch, who has said he felt lifted by a surge of support this weekend from the big crowd in Rovinj, a stunning town on a peninsula known as the blue pearl of the Adriatic. "I have to admit I had a few tears in my eyes. It was so close." Muroya celebrated his first-ever podium after a series of strong performances through the first two knock-out rounds but many top contenders saw their hopes of the podium dashed by podium hits and penalties.

(Image provided by Red Bull Air Race)

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