The longest stage of this year’s Rallye Du Maroc was one hundred percent dominated by the Monster Energy Honda Team. Until kilometre 200, Pablo Quintanilla ruled. Then it was time for his teammate Ricky Brabec to shine: 2020 Dakar winner reached the bivouac in Tan Tan with a four minute advantage over the second place. With this performance he is now the new leader of the competition.
The spirit of the African years of the Dakar Rally was once again today in the horizon during the fourth stage 0f Rallye Du Maroc. This meant a great variety of landscapes, between plateaus, rivers and little mountains. The dunes were this time out of the equation during the 565 kilometres covered – 346 of those racing the special section that connected Laayoune region and Tan Tan.
Monster Energy Honda Team was once again on the spotlight. First it was Pablo Quintanilla leading the way until passage control 200 km. Then it was the time for American Ricky Brabec to show his unique style. In the end, the winner of Dakar 2020 finished with an advantage that was over four minutes. A great performance that had already implications in the general standings, since he become the new leader of the competition. Adrien Van Beveren was the 5th to show up at the bivouac in Tan Tan, José Ignacio Cornejo 7th and Pablo Quintanilla 9th.
With just one day to go, tomorrow’s stage of Rallye Du Maroc will be much shorter and for sure intense in the way back to Agadir. There will be a total 379 kilometres to cover, 89 km in laiason and 290 kilometres of special stage.
Ricky Brabec #2 : « Today was good and I am very happy with the result, considering this was the longest stage. I had the energy to make the push in such a long day. The stage was rocky like every rally in Morocco, the desert is great and there is quite a variety of terrain. This year is more or less rocky and fast, we haven’t spent much time on the dunes. Tomorrow we’re going to have an open stage so it will all depend on the way we race. Looking forward to get back to Agadir, cross our fingers and let’s hope we have a good stage tomorrow and end up somewhere on the podium. It’s not over until is over, because this is rally! »
Adrien Van Beveren #42 : « I was expecting navigation mistakes from the riders opening the stage and that did not happen. I knew I had to concentrate a lot on the road book, because there were really a lot of notes, so my head is down and it’s not easy to go fast. Overall I had a good performance. Sometimes navigation pays off, when the others make mistakes, but that was not the case. Tomorrow for sure we will push to the end and try to go as fast as possible. »
José Ignacio Cornejo #11 : « It was a good stage, quite a long one. My plan was to stay solid and consistent along the way. I felt really good and was able to race in a good rhythm. In the end I kept the same position I had, so I’m sure tomorrow it’s time to speed it up and reach Agadir in a position that allow us to keep our leadership in the championship. »
Pablo Quintanilla #7 : « This morning I felt great and started with a good rhythm. I was leading the stage, but then I had a small technical problem that made me stop. I am happy that I was able to fix it and keep racing. This is also part of the race, I’m happy I could get back to the bivouac. I felt strong and powerful and I will give my best tomorrow. »
Rider Standings
Result of Selective Section 4 Laayoune – Tan Tan
1. Brabec Ricky – USA – Monster Energy Honda Team, 03h21m35s
2. Sunderland Sam – GBR – Gas Gas Factory Team, 03h21m51s
3. Benavides Kevin – ARG – Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team, 03h27m46s
4. Evan Branch Ross – BWA – Hero Motorsports Team Rally, 03h29m04s
5. Van Beveren Adrien – FRA – Monster Energy Honda Team, 03h29m21s
6. Howes Skyler – USA – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing, 03h30m02s
7. Klein Mason – USA – BAS DAKAR KTM RACING TEAM, 03h31m46s
8. Cornejo José Ignacio – CHI – Monster Energy Honda Team, 03h32m52s
9. Benavides Luciano – ARG – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing, 03h33m47s
10. Quintanilla Pablo – CHI – Monster Energy Honda Team, 03h35m24s…