Battling through yet one more demanding stage at this year’s Dakar Rally, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider Pablo Quintanilla has climbed one step higher in the event’s provisional overall standings. With only tomorrow’s last stage remaining, the Chilean rally star is currently placed seventh overall.
Bringing competitors to the last bivouac of the 2018 Dakar Rally in the city of Córdoba, Friday’s stage 13 was one of the longest in this year’s event. Featuring two separate timed specials, it proved to be yet another long and exhausting stage in South America.
Unable to show his full potential, Pablo wrapped up the day in 12th position. With one shorter stage still to be contested tomorrow, the Chilean will do his best to wrap up this extremely demanding two-week-long adventure on a high note.
For Pablo’s Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing teammate Andrew Short, stage 13 proved to be challenging. Crossing the finish line of stage 13 in 37th position, the US racer remains 17th overall. Andrew now has his eyes set on crossing the big finish of his first Dakar tomorrow.
Following thousands of racing kilometres, the 2018 Dakar Rally enters its last competitive stage tomorrow. With competitors following a circular route north of Córdoba, crossing the finish line in one of the most challenging Dakar’s in recent memory will be a huge feat for all those who will make it home.
Pablo Quintanilla: “That was a really long day – I started at 5am in the morning and I finished at 7pm in the evening, all day on the bike was tough. The first half of the stage was sandy piste, almost like a motocross track so it was difficult to push. We then had a 200km liaison to the second half of the special. The tracks from then on were very fast but very slippery, especially with worn tyres. I’m happy to be here and still in the race. It’s not been the best Dakar for me, but it’s always good to get experience and to know you have the pace to stay at the front.”
Andrew Short: “Today was tough – really tough. The stage was so long and at this point in the rally it was especially tiring. The beginning of the special was really soft and it was difficult to get a good rhythm going. The later half was on much faster tracks and it was flat out for a lot of the way. I didn’t push too hard because a crash there would have been pretty extreme. I’m happy to get to the finish and now, with only one day left, I’m looking forward to completing my first Dakar Rally.”
2018 Dakar Rally – Stage 13 Provisional Classification 1. Toby Price (KTM) 04:48:33
2. Kevin Benavides (Honda) 04:50:36
3. Antoine Meo (KTM) 04:51:17
4. Matthias Walkner (KTM) 05:00:05
5. Joan Pedrero (Sherco) 05:03:45
6. Johnny Aubert (Gas Gas) 05:04:43
…
12. Pablo Quintanilla (Husqvarna) 05:13:35 35. Andrew Short (Husqvarna) 05:58:142018 Dakar Rally – Provisional Overall Standings After Stage 13
1. Matthias Walkner (KTM) 41:33:42
2. Kevin Benavides (Honda) 41:56:13
3. Toby Price (KTM) 42:01:27
4. Antoine Meo (KTM) 42:23:59
5. Gerard Farres (KTM) 42:35:01
6. Johnny Aubert (Gas Gas) 43:27:54
7. Pablo Quintanilla (Husqvarna) 43:40:31
…
17. Andrew Short (Husqvarna) 45:38:22
