Today it was time to race the last stage from the six days program, with a short but very intense road-book around the dunes of Merzouga, in the very south of Morocco. Pablo Quintanilla – who was the winner here two years ago – has dominated the stage by 01 minute and 24 seconds. With this performance, Quintanilla secured a final podium position in third place. Adrien Van Beveren was 5th with a 03 minutes and 58 seconds for the leader – closing his participation in the Rallye du Maroc in 7th place. José Ignacio Cornejo was today 7th, meaning a 6th place in the overall standings.
After the Dakar, the UAE Desert Challenge, the Sonora Rally, the Ruta 40 Rally and the Rallye du Maroc the 2023 season of the World Rally-Raid Championship is over.
Ruben Faria
The Rallye du Maroc is over with a last stage doing two rounds in the dunes of Merzouga. This was another fast stage and the average of over 100 km/hour is symptomatic considering that part of the road book was composed by dunes, meaning that the riders are doing great in terms of speed and navigation. Pablo Quintanilla was today at his best level, winning the stage and getting a third place in the overall standings. Adrien was better, it’s a pity he lost some time in the end of the stage because he was fighting for a podium position today. Nacho was the second to start but he crashed in the beginning of the stage and could not finish like he did in the previous days. Here in Morocco we got another manufacturer's title of W2RC for Honda and we are very proud of that. This is the work of all team and as a group we have shown great quality and cooperation.
The Rallye du Maroc is over with a last stage doing two rounds in the dunes of Merzouga. This was another fast stage and the average of over 100 km/hour is symptomatic considering that part of the road book was composed by dunes, meaning that the riders are doing great in terms of speed and navigation. Pablo Quintanilla was today at his best level, winning the stage and getting a third place in the overall standings. Adrien was better, it’s a pity he lost some time in the end of the stage because he was fighting for a podium position today. Nacho was the second to start but he crashed in the beginning of the stage and could not finish like he did in the previous days. Here in Morocco we got another manufacturer's title of W2RC for Honda and we are very proud of that. This is the work of all team and as a group we have shown great quality and cooperation.
Pablo Quintanilla
7
Monster Energy Honda Team It feels great to be back on the podium today after a quite complicated race. My confidence is higher because I could ride fast and with a good rhythm. Thinking about our next big and main challenge - the Dakar Rally - this was for sure a very important experience.
It feels great to be back on the podium today after a quite complicated race. My confidence is higher because I could ride fast and with a good rhythm. Thinking about our next big and main challenge - the Dakar Rally - this was for sure a very important experience.
José Ignacio Cornejo
11
Monster Energy Honda Team This last stage was not so good for me. I made a navigation mistake at the beginning and crashed in the end, but nothing serious. I finished the Rallye du Maroc with a good feeling and I think I made a solid competition. This was certainly a great preparation for the next Dakar Rally.
This last stage was not so good for me. I made a navigation mistake at the beginning and crashed in the end, but nothing serious. I finished the Rallye du Maroc with a good feeling and I think I made a solid competition. This was certainly a great preparation for the next Dakar Rally.
Adrien Van Beveren
42
Monster Energy Honda Team Today I felt so much better riding my Honda CRF 450 Rally. I think that is not just an individual outcome, but also the result of the efforts from all the team. It was also a pleasure to ride in the dunes of Merzouga, that is the kind of terrain I love. I leave Morocco happy and confident that I will reach the next Dakar Rally at my highest level.
Today I felt so much better riding my Honda CRF 450 Rally. I think that is not just an individual outcome, but also the result of the efforts from all the team. It was also a pleasure to ride in the dunes of Merzouga, that is the kind of terrain I love. I leave Morocco happy and confident that I will reach the next Dakar Rally at my highest level.