Three Monster Energy Honda riders in the top 10 position in Dakar 2023 15.01.2023: Dakar Rally 2023 2023 World Rally Raid Championship Round WORLD1 Today it was time to say goodbye to the 2023 edition of the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia, after the 14th stage held between Al-Hofuf and Dammam.

   
Dakar Rally 2023
2023 World Rally Raid Championship   Round WORLD1




Today it was time to say goodbye to the 2023 edition of the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia, after the 14th stage held between Al-Hofuf and Dammam.



This completed the 8.549 kilometers of the round one from the World Rally Raid Championship, with the most mythical and certainly hard motorsports off-road competition of all times. This way it also completed the trip from coast to coast, connecting the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf.


Monster Energy Honda Team finished the race with three of its four riders, since American and Dakar winner Ricky Brabec had to abandon the race at stage three. The pace was quite high in this last stage, with a short special section 136 kilometers long. This is the year of the rain and mud in a quite unusual Dakar Rally so today this was no exception. With the riders starting in reverse order, spectators could pay tribute to all Dakar heroes.



Pablo Quintanilla was the fastest one among the team, with third position on this last stage (03:15 minutes gap) – a result that put him in fourth position overall. Adrien Van Beveren was eight (04:51 minutes gap) and finished this Dakar in 5th position. Finally, José Ignacio Cornejo faced some difficulties after being trapped in the mud and ended in the 34th place. Despite this adversity, the Chilean was able to secure his 8th place overall.



The W2RC championship will return at the end of February keeping the action in the Middle East region. Monster Energy Honda Team is already working on the next stop that will travel to the United Arab Emirates, with the  Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, from 25th February to the third of March.   
    
       
    
Ruben Faria
General Manager


“Another Dakar Rally is over and Monster Energy Honda Team was certainly a very relevant squad along the way. We lost Ricky Brabec in a very early phase and kept on track with the other three riders - Pablo Quintanilla, Adrien Van Beveren and José Ignacio Cortejo.


I know they did their best every day and in every stage. The final outcome is not what we came here for but this is the Dakar, so let’s continue to work hard as a united team and face the rest of the season with the same winning spirit. ”         

    
       
    
    Pablo Quintanilla  7


“I am quite happy to be able to finish this Dakar Rally 2023 in Saudi Arabia. Of course this was not the result we were searching for but the feeling is good.


I know that I gave one hundred percent every day so I just want to say I am thankful for all the support from the team and this doesn’t go only to the Dakar - it is a year long job. Sometimes you win, sometimes you don’t - it’s part of the race. ”         

    
       
    
    Adrien Van Beveren  42


“It’s good to be at the finish, I have to be happy even if this is not a dream result. To finish the Dakar Rally is always a victory and now I remember other times where I could finish due to crashes when I was at the hospital looking at the other on TV.


We had a really strong race, I have to remember that. I can’t point out one big mistake I made, the race was a sprint almost everyday. ”         

    
       
    
    José Ignacio Cornejo  11


“So here we are at the finish line this year, I am happy to reach the end of this Dakar Rally. This one was for sure one of the hardest ones I have ever raced. The result was not what I expected, but I know I did my best at every stage. Now I want to thank the team, family and my fans for all the support. ”         

    



       
Rider Standings
DAKAR RALLY 2023 STANDINGS AFTER STAGE 14

1    BENAVIDES Kevin     1    ARG    Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team    KTM    44:27:20
2    PRICE Toby     18    AUS    Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team    KTM    44:28:03
3    HOWES Skyler     10    USA    Husqvarna Factory Racing    Husqvarna    44:32:24
4    QUINTANILLA Pablo     7    CHI    Monster Energy Honda Team    Honda    44:46:22
5    VAN BEVEREN Adrien     42    FRA    Monster Energy Honda Team    Honda    44:47:50
6    BENAVIDES Luciano     77    ARG    Husqvarna Factory Racing    Husqvarna    44:50:02
7    SANDERS Daniel     4    AUS    Gas Gas Factory Team    Gas Gas    44:53:17
8    CORNEJO José Ignacio     11    CHI    Monster Energy Honda Team    Honda    45:18:41
9    SANTOLINO Lorenzo     15    SPA    Sherco TVS Rally Factory    Sherco    45:45:13
10    CAIMI Franco     6    ARG    Hero Motorsports Team Rally    Hero    46:05:24
    
       
    

    
    

 Monster Energy Honda Team, also photos