Second stage and also the second podium position for the Monster Energy Honda Team at the Rallye du Maroc – the last stage from the World Rally-Raid Championship. After Pablo Quintanilla, who was second yesterday, José Ignacio Cornejo – known by all as Nacho – finished the circuit Zagora-Zagora in third place. He spent two minutes and 20 seconds more that the leader Toscha Schareina, who is also riding an Honda CRF 450 Rally.
Quintanilla was 6th today and Van Beveren finished in 11th. In the overall standings, Now Pablo Quintanilla is ranked third, José Ignacio Cornejo 7th and Adrien Van Beveren 9th.
Today the bivouac will remain in the same place, which means that the stage 3 will consist in the same model with another circuit with start and arrival in Zagora. The terrain will change and will be composed mainly by dirt tracks, with a 108 km liaison and 336 km of Special Stage to race.
Ruben Faria – General Manager : « It’s over another hard day at the Rallye du Maroc. Many stones at the beginning of the special section and sand at the end. It was the same style from yesterday, but in a different format since yesterday it was a line and today we had a circuit. Pablo was opening the track after km 140 and for this reason he lost some time, but he did a good job. Nacho was third today and did a great stage with a strong rhythm. Adrien was facing some troubles in the first part of the stage – there were a lot of stones – but in the end he recovered. Overall we are doing well after two stages and there is still a lot of racing here in Morocco, so let’s keep the focus. »
José Ignacio Cornejo #11 : « I really enjoyed the stage today. At the beginning there were a lot of stones, not my kind of terrain but I felt strong. After refueling I kept pushing and pushing, made a good navigation with no mistakes. It was a long stage where I had a lot of fun in the dunes. I am feeling pretty good physically and also mentally. »
Pablo Quintanilla #7 : « I am happy with today’s stage. I started in the front group and reached Ross Branch at around km 140 and after that I was always opening the track until the end. It was really good, I manage to do a clean navigation without any mistakes and a good pace. I feel great confidence in myself and in my Honda CRF 450 Rally and this is a process that is improving day by day. »
Adrien Van Beveren #42 : « At the beginning of the stage it was hard to find the best rhythm. The track was full of stones and this made the progression difficult. Comparing with yesterday, I feel I am starting to reach my best level and this gives me extra motivation. »
Provisional Standings after Stage 2
1. Evan Branch Ross – BWA – Hero Motorsports Team Rally, 07:18:15
2. Price Toby – AUS – Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team, 07:19:19
3. Quintanilla Pablo – CHI – Monster Energy Honda Team, 07:20:36
4. Walkner Matthias – AUT – Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team, 07:21:31
5. Benavides Luciano – ARG – Husqvarna Factory Racing, 07:22:04
6. Santolino Lorenzo – SPA – Sherco TVS Rally Factory, 07:27:39
7. Cornejo José Ignacio – CHI – Monster Energy Honda Team, 07:29:30
8. Schareina Tosha – SPA – Honda Team, 07:30:19
9. Van Beveren Adrien – FRA – Monster Energy Honda Team, 07:36:43
10. Cox Bradley – RSA – BAS Dakar KTM Racing Team, 07:45:38…