Abu Dhabi Desert Problem 2023
Stage 1
The Monster Vitality Honda Workforce took a dominant begin to the Abu Dhabi Desert Problem in Stage 1, with Chilean Pablo Quintanilla the quickest rider, adopted house by Adrien Van Beveren. Toby Worth completes the highest three after the opening stage, forward of Ross Department, José Ignacio Cornejo and Ricky Brabec.

Husqvarna’s Luciano Benavides and Skyler Howles head into Stage Two in seventh and eighth, adopted by Mason Klein and Palo Lucci.

Going into the depths of the Empty Quarter, Stage 1 related the town of Al Dhannah and Qasr Al Sarab with a complete of 404 kilometres. The Particular Stage was 242 km lengthy, added by a liaison of one other 162 km, with dunes and sandy tracks making up many of the day.
Pablo Quintanilla – P1
“This was an awesome stage for me, since I used to be capable of finding a great tempo from the start. The terrain was not simple, with many drops within the dunes and a few quick components troublesome to see. Every little thing went effectively with me and my Honda CRF 450 Rally. I may get the appropriate steadiness between pace and navigation. Successful the prologue and the primary stage means now we have began the race on the appropriate foot so let’s proceed that approach!”

Adrien Van Beveren – P2
“Every little thing went effectively immediately, it was a great day within the dunes. The terrain was onerous with a variety of damaged dunes and valleys, not really easy to seek out the rhythm. I’m completely satisfied and Pablo was with me till the top and we may trip quick collectively. To date the result’s good however now we have to remain centered understanding there are 4 extra levels to race.”

Toby Worth – P3
“A very good day immediately – a bit of bit completely different to what we’ve seen previously at this occasion. Though the stage was quick with numerous straights and a few massive gaps between the caps, the dunes threw up a couple of surprises with some massive drops alongside the way in which. A number of caught me abruptly, in order that meant it was troublesome to assault the entire time as you didn’t know which of the rises could be minimize away. I’m feeling good, and the bike is performing effectively right here, so we’ll preserve plugging on and hopefully put in one other robust day tomorrow.”

Ross Department – P4
“Stage 1 is over and executed with, and I had a great day. It was a bit troublesome within the morning as I wasn’t positive if I used to be using quick or gradual. Happily, I had a great tempo going, the bike was performing rather well, and I actually loved using the dunes. Trying ahead to a great begin within the subsequent stage.”
José Ignacio Cornejo – P5
“It was a great first stage! We began third and that was a danger, then I may attain Skyler Howes and handle to maintain racing all the way in which with him. I believe I did a great job, obtained some bonus and general it was a stable efficiency. Now I’m motivated and robust for tomorrow, keen to enhance my place within the general rating.”

Ricky Brabec – P6
“I’m completely satisfied to complete one other stage. I positively felt higher than the end result confirmed immediately. I used to be a bit of bit sore immediately, we battled the wind many of the day and that was onerous for the physique. Anyway I’m right here to struggle and do my finest till the final day.”

Luciano Benavides – P7
“Stage one executed right here on the Abu Dhabi Desert Problem. It was fairly completely different to final yr I believe – a brand new stage for us. A number of it was fairly quick, however the dunes themselves have been minimize away in locations with some massive drops. All of that meant it was troublesome to discover a good rhythm. I struggled a bit of bit with that and the stage was additionally very bodily, so I used to be fairly drained on the finish. The fellows on the entrance did a great job of opening, however I used to be capable of clock up round one minute in bonuses being the third man by way of the stage, in order that helped a bit of. Typically, I’m completely satisfied, as a result of my feeling on the bike is nice, so I’m wanting ahead to giving it full fuel for the 4 remaining levels, beginning with the primary half of the marathon tomorrow.”

Skyler Howes – P8
“I opened the vast majority of the particular immediately, in order that was fairly powerful, however I’ve to confess, it was good enjoyable. I set off second, caught Balooshi by round kilometre 10, then when Nacho (Cornejo) caught me at round kilometre 150, we rode collectively, pushing one another to the end. The stage was difficult sufficient that you simply needed to keep centered to be sure you didn’t make any enormous errors over a number of the massive dunes. So far as opening goes, I believe it was a great one because it wasn’t too technical on the market, however nonetheless a great begin for the rally. With the bonus time I gathered it places me in a great place for the rally and a pleasant begin place for tomorrow. Hopefully I can push on the tracks a bit of and preserve this momentum going.”

Stage 2 will preserve the competitors in the identical area, with a 257 kilometres tour round Qasr Al Sarab – added by a liaison of 108 km. The motion takes place on the depths of the Empty Quarter, with sandy tracks and large dunes to beat.
Abu Dhabi Desert Problem 2023
Provisional General after Stage 1
Pos | Rider | Nat | Workforce | Time |
1 | QUINTANILLA Pablo | CHI | Monster Vitality Honda Workforce | 3:40:15 |
2 | VAN BEVEREN Adrien | FRA | Monster Vitality Honda Workforce | 3:42:31 |
3 | PRICE Toby | AUS | Pink Bull KTM Rally Manufacturing facility Workforce | 3:45:32 |
4 | EVAN BRANCH Ross | BWA | Hero Motorsports Workforce Rally | 3:45:35 |
5 | CORNEJO José Ignacio | CHI | Monster Vitality Honda Workforce | 3:47:51 |
6 | BRABEC Ricky | USA | Monster Vitality Honda Workforce | 3:48:29 |
7 | BENAVIDES Luciano | ARG | Husqvarna Manufacturing facility Racing | 3:49:07 |
8 | HOWES Skyler | USA | Husqvarna Manufacturing facility Racing | 3:49:45 |
9 | KLEIN Mason | USA | BAS DAKAR KTM RACING TEAM | 3:53:49 |
10 | LUCCI Paolo | ITA | Solarys Racing | 4:03:19 |