Monster Energy Honda Team got the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge underway today – the second round of the FIM Rally-Raid World Championship. With the shakedown and the administrative and technical checks out of the way, today was the turn of the curtain-raising prologue.
A short two-kilometre prologue, without many technical complications, held close to the Yas Marina circuit, served to determine the starting order for tomorrow’s first full stage of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. With minimal differences in finish times, a conversion rate (x8) was used to lengthen the gaps for tomorrow’s race-start.
The top finishers were able to choose the starting order for Sunday’s first stage, which will take the competitors from Yas Marina into the Liwa Desert, south of the capital of the United Arab Emirates.
Well-aware of the importance of starting as far back in the starting order as possible, the trio of Monster Energy Honda Team riders refrained from their usual frenetic pace over today’s short special stage. Nacho Cornejo will start from 18th place, Ricky Brabec from 21st place and Pablo Quintanilla from 28th place. The team is confident that starting from the rear will help them gain time on the riders setting off ahead.
Pablo Quintanilla – PLACE: 28th provisional: 28th : « We finished a short prologue, two kilometres long. We opted for a strategy that would allow us to start from the rear in tomorrow’s stage and try not to lose any unnecessary time. I think it went well. I’m pleased. »
José Ignacio Cornejo – place: 18th provisional: 18th : « We finished the prologue, which for this race was important to start from the back in the first stage. So I think the strategy we had worked well. We are ready to face a week with a lot of sand and a lot of dunes. We are ready for tomorrow! »
Ricky Brabec – Place: 21st Provisional: 21st : « We are back in Abu Dhabi. This is my first rally in 2022. It’s great to be back and I’m super excited about how the prologue went. It was a good result today. I’m looking forward to tomorrow with the first stage. Let’s have fun in the dunes! »
Ruben Faria – General Manager : « We are happy to be back in Abu Dhabi. I like this rally; as a rider I used to really enjoy racing here and as a manager I find it a great race. It’s the second race of the world championship and we are in a very good position, first among the bike manufacturers and second in the individual table with Pablo, Nacho is sixth and Ricky seventh. Today was the first day of action with a very short prologue that defined the starting order for tomorrow. We used a strategy of starting behind to try to gain time in stage one. The team is fine, with the bikes in perfect condition. We need Joan to have the whole team, but he isn’t quite at 100% yet. »
Results Prologue
1. Docherty Michael – UAE – SRG Motorsports, 20’16
2. Walkner Matthias – AUT – Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team, +0’00
3. Price Toby – AUS – Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team, +0’08
4. Benavides Kevin – ARG – Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team, +0’40
5. Caimi Franco – ARG – Hero Motorsports Team Rally, +0’40
6. Evan Branch Ross – BWA – Hero Motorsports Team Rally, +0’40
7. Cox Bradley – RSA – BAS DAKAR KTM RACING TEAM, +0’40
8. Rodrigues Joaquim – POR – Hero Motorsports Team Rally, +0’48
9. Benavides Luciano – ARG- Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing, +0’48
10. Santolino Lorenzo – SPA – Sherco TVS Rally Factory, +0’56
18. Cornejo José Ignacio – CHI – Monster Energy Honda Team, +1’36
21. Brabec Ricky – USA – Monster Energy Honda Team, +2’00
28. Quintanilla Pablo – CHI – Monster Energy Honda Team, +3’04…