[ad_1]
Abu Dhabi Desert Problem 2023
Stage 5
Adrien Van Beveren (Monster Power Honda) has gained the Abu Dhabi Desert Problem for the primary time in his profession, beating Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna Manufacturing unit Racing) and Toby Worth (Pink Bull KTM Manufacturing unit Racing).
Toby Worth needed to dig deep on the ultimate day however the effort was price it with a podium for the occasion that catapulted the 35-year-old Aussie into the lead of the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship standings. Nonetheless, with three rounds left to contest, there’s nonetheless an extended method to go, beginning with spherical three, the Sonora Rally in Mexico, from April 22-28.
After opening the stage on day 4, by means of the hardest situations seen at this 12 months’s race, Toby Worth got here into the ultimate day of the ADDC mendacity sixth total and with a seventh-place begin place. The 2-time Dakar Champion had no choice however to make use of the tracks left within the sand forward of him to push as laborious as he may and attempt to make up the utmost time on his rivals over the 206-kilometre timed particular. And that’s precisely what he did!
Main on time for all the stage, Worth steadily elevated his benefit over the sector to in the end end shut to 2 and a half minutes forward of the second-placed rider, Jose Ignacio Cornejo. That hole was essential because it was Cornejo who Worth edged out of podium rivalry by a mere two-seconds after effectively over 17 hours of racing.
Kevin Benavides (Pink Bull KTM Manufacturing unit Racing), the earlier chief following his triumph within the Dakar, slipped to 3rd place, with 38 factors, after cancelling his participation within the ADDC on the eleventh hour.
The fifth and final stage from the rally made the connection between Qasr Al Sarab and Abu Dhabi with a Particular Stage of 206 kilometres lengthy added by a liaison of 164 km. José Ignacio Cornejo was as we speak the perfect rider of the workforce with a second place (2:12 minutes hole), whereas Van Beveren was fifth (3:22 minutes hole) and Ricky Brabec was sixth (4:35 minutes hole).
Within the Producers rating from the World Rally Raid Championship – the place the model is the defending World Champion – Honda is now in second place with 75 factors, 9 factors from the chief and nonetheless with many factors to beat within the three races that full this 12 months’s calendar.
Abu Dhabi Desert Problem 2023
Stage 5 Outcomes
- Toby Worth (AUS), KTM, 2:24:45
- Ignacio Cornejo (CHI), Honda, 2:27:08 +2:23
- Skyler Howes (USA), Husqvarna, 2:27:14 +2:29
- Ross Department (BWA), Hero, 2:27:46 +3:01
- Adrien Van Beveren (FRA), Honda, 2:28:07 +3:22
Abu Dhabi Desert Problem 2023
Provisional Last Standings
- VAN BEVEREN Adrien 42 FRA Monster Power Honda Staff 17:13:39
- BENAVIDES Luciano 77 ARG Husqvarna Manufacturing unit Racing 17:17:57
- PRICE Toby 18 AUS Pink Bull KTM Rally Manufacturing unit Staff 17:18:52
- CORNEJO José Ignacio 11 CHI Monster Power Honda Staff 17:18:54
- EVAN BRANCH Ross 16 BWA Hero Motorsports Staff Rally 17:19:56
- HOWES Skyler 10 USA Husqvarna Manufacturing unit Racing 17:20:02
- BRABEC Ricky 2 USA Monster Power Honda Staff 17:23:44
Ruben Faria
Monster Power Honda Common Supervisor
“I’ve to make a optimistic basic stability from this Abu Dhabi Desert Problem, though it was a pity that Pablo Quintanilla needed to go away the race yesterday when he was combating for the lead. José Ignacio Cornejo misplaced as we speak the rostrum for only a tiny two seconds and this was a tough setback. However competitors is like this and we have now to maneuver ahead. I’ve to congratulate all of the riders by their efficiency and dedication. Now the main focus is the following spherical of the World Championship, the Sonora Rally in Mexico.”
Adrien Van Beveren – P1
“It feels actually good to win, for me as a rider and in addition for the workforce that invested in me. It was a bit irritating to not be within the podium within the final Dakar being so shut. Now coming right here and successful the Abu Dhabi Desert Problem just a few weeks after the Dakar is a good feeling. This is essential for me and for the workforce to maintain the motivation. For positive I’ll carry on working to get extra victories however now’s time to style and benefit from the second. Actually proud of the ambiance and spirit within the workforce, it’s improbable when you may win and have enjoyable on the similar time.”
Luciano Benavides – P2
“I’m so joyful to take second place right here in Abu Dhabi. I pushed so laborious as we speak and opened all the way in which – it was a tricky and exhausting day. There was various strain this morning to do the stage at full fuel, it was the one selection I had. However I feel I did a superb job and I’m proud of the outcome. To return away from the race with a podium and two stage wins is superb. After all, I need to win, however I feel that is one of the best ways to maintain constructing race by race and the win will certainly come. I feel I’m fourth within the championship now, so I’ll carry on giving my all and see what occurs in Mexico.”
Provisional Last Standings
1. VAN BEVEREN Adrien 42 FRA Monster Power Honda Staff 17:13:39
2. BENAVIDES Luciano 77 ARG Husqvarna Manufacturing unit Racing 17:17:57
3. PRICE Toby 18 AUS Pink Bull KTM Rally Manufacturing unit Staff 17:18:52
Toby Worth – P3
“I needed to push actually laborious as we speak. Opening on the lengthy day 4 actually knocked me again within the total such have been the situations. I knew my solely selection as we speak was to push laborious, and so I went as laborious as I may presumably go for the entire 206 kilometres! To solely simply make the rostrum by two seconds is loopy. It exhibits the extent of the riders in the mean time in rally, with the outcomes typically coming right down to seconds and never minutes – I feel that’s actually good for the championship. Lastly, the bike and the entire workforce have been nice right here in Abu Dhabi, working so laborious to offer us the instruments we’d like. There’s slightly little bit of a niche now however then it’s on to Mexico for the following spherical.”
José Ignacio Cornejo – P4
“Abu Dhabi Desert Problem is over and as we speak I did a superb stage, however sadly this was not sufficient to guarantee a podium place. Right this moment it was a real battle on the market and we did our greatest to experience quick and protected. So I am going dwelling with a fourth place and proud of my Honda CRF 450 Rally and proud of the way in which I felt day-to-day. I’m additionally joyful for the workforce and for Adrian’s win.”
Skyler Howes – P6
“It’s been a superb day for me as we speak, I did my greatest and made it safely to the end line of the Abu Dhabi Desert Problem. Clearly, it could have been good to complete slightly greater up the order. There have been a few locations the place I may have completed issues higher, however I’m proud of my driving right here within the desert and I’ve gained a variety of expertise for the longer term. We head to Mexico and the Sonora Rally subsequent, which is a very particular occasion for me, and I gained it final 12 months, so hopefully and may do the identical once more this season.”
Ricky Brabec – P7
“We made it to the end of Stage 5, to start with congrats for the all workforce. I’m glad I made it to the tip in a single piece. Now we are going to take the positives and the negatives dwelling with us and work on it to enhance sooner or later. The subsequent race is sort of in my yard so let’s attempt to win it. Now I additionally need to thank the entire workforce for his or her fixed and superb help.”
World Rally Raid Championship
- Toby Worth (AUS), KTM, 46
- Adrien Van Beveren (FRA), Honda, 42
- Kevin Benavides (ARG), KTM, 38
- Luciano Benavides (ARG), Husqvarna, 35
- Skyler Howes (USA), Husqvarna, 34
[ad_2]