Monster Energy Honda team rounded off the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge with an impressive double podium with riders Ricky Brabec and Pablo Quintanilla.
It wasn’t easy for the team as the two drivers were behind Sam Sunderland who had a higher starting position than the two. However, while the two couldn’t beat the British rider who was simply on fire, by the end of the race Brabec made up time and got second place while Pablo Quintanilla finished third. Despite having a crash yesterday, Monster Energy Honda’s José Ignacio ‘Nacho’ Cornejo came home in seventh place.
This meant that the team got a double podium and extended its lead at overall team rankings. The result means Pablo Quintanilla is in second place with Ricky Brabec moving up to third. The results of the final stage of the 200km long rally mean that things remain nicely poised ahead of the next test for the team in Andalusia.
Pablo Quintanilla said: “We have finished the rally and I am very happy to be on the podium. Today was a difficult last stage for me. I tried to push as hard as I could and towards the middle of the special I caught the riders in front, so I had to open the track until the end.”
“The final stage was great. The times were very close. We knew that it was going to be tough today to make up enough time in the overall standings. I did what I could to get onto the podium. I got ahead of my team-mate Pablo who also had a good push today. Overall it was a good rally,” said Ricky Brabec with a smile on his face.
He further said: “Unfortunately, Sam was the one who stopped longer in the prologue and had the advantage from day one and today on day five. The rally is coming to those who stop the longest in the prologue. We knew it would be hard to beat Sam – he used to live out here. We did our best for the team and we’re looking forward to the next one. Thanks to all the team. “
José Ignacio Cornejo commented: “I had a great time on the bike, with some very good feelings. I had some setbacks that left me out of the fight but there is nothing left to do but keep working. I think we are doing things right. Despite not being happy with seventh place, I will keep working to get the results that we are looking for. We are already focusing on the forthcoming championship races.”
