Kolkata, Oct 14 (UNI) The Rallye du Maroc concluded with an excellent result for the Monster Energy Honda Team.
On the final day of the rally Pablo Quintanilla saw off his rivals to claim both stage and race victories.
Monster Energy Honda Team has scooped an excellent result in the Rallye du Maroc. After only five months with his new outfit, Chilean rider Pablo Quintanilla clinched his first race victory aboard the Honda CRF450 RALLY. The occasion also marks Quintanilla’s maiden win in Morocco as he gets back to winning ways after the 2019 Atacama Rally. The team tally now lies at three stage wins in Morocco. Honda’s last win in Morocco was achieved by Paulo Gonçalves in the 2013 edition.
The 166-kilometre final special stage went quickly for most of the riders still in contention for victory at this Rallye du Maroc. David Castera, race director, had designed a stage with very little navigation. With little movement of wind, the dust hanging in the air accompanied the riders throughout the journey, making it impossible for riders starting from the rear to make up time.
Pablo Quintanilla started in a fine position from which to attack Mathias Walkner’s lead. The Monster Energy Honda Team rider held a sufficiently strong pace to allow him to fulfil this main mission and capture the final stage of the Rallye du Maroc. Ricky Brabec was unable to whittle down the gap separating him from his rivals in the general standings and, in spite of finishing runner-up today, narrowly missed out on a podium place.
Joan Barreda was also able to battle his way to the finish, allowing him to go home with a sweet sensation. Sixth on the day and eleventh in the general standings, with the Spaniard highlighting the noteworthy teamwork carried out by the squad in recent days in Morocco. After yesterday’s fall, Chilean rider José Ignacio Cornejo went out today to complete the course, attempting to pull back as much as his physical condition would permit, but nevertheless citing good sensations on the bike. In the end, it was tenth overall place for the rider from Iquique.
The next event to feature Monster Energy Honda Team participation will be at the 2022 Dakar Rally, set to take place in Saudi Arabia from the 1-14th of January.
Pablo Quintanilla said, “The forecast in Misano is looking hot so we know that we will have to work to improve out feeling to be closer to our Silverstone performance than our performance in Aragon. We have been making improvements in this area, but we need to keep on working to show our potential and the potential of the bike. I am also looking forward to the test, two days of just riding will be a big help because right now one of our biggest problems is the lack of testing we have had this year. Let’s make the most of it.”
