What the 2019 Rally of Morocco offered was impressive and gave a real taste of the Dakar with KTM, Husqvarna, Honda, Yamaha, Hero and Sherco all present. Each team, as in other races, experienced moments of glory or despair.
There were victories that made us smile, falls that made us suffer and grit our teeth and new developments like discovering the road book for the first time on the morning of the stage. The Marathon sections were well managed by some, by others less so with worn tyres an issue.
Ultimately, Andrew Short’s star shone a little brighter than the others in the Moroccan sky. The Husqvarna rider celebrated his first victory in the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship.
In the quad category, after several months away from his machine, Ignacio Casale (Yamaha) won again
The Rally of Morocco runs for a week with two days for technical and administrative checks and five days of racing. All riders were happy to see the finish because chief organiser David Castera did not spare them on this occasion and put on a gruelling event with difficult terrain, a road book distributed in the morning and very complicated navigation. The Super Marathon stage ran with only 10 minutes available to riders to change an air filter and check the condition of their tyres. Riders were sleeping in a bivouac and, to cap it all, temperatures were close to 40°C!
There were many stand-out moments: Sam Sunderland (KTM) is the newly-crowned FIM Cross-Country Rally World Champion 2019 but fell heavily on the second day and retired. Adrien Van Beveren (Yamaha) fell sick and could never fight with the determination that he wanted. Kevin Benavides (Honda) suffered with a rear tyre destroyed on the third day, fell and suffered for the whole rally with a nasty gash on his leg.
Joan Barreda (Honda) made the second part of the Super Marathon with a flat front tyre, Matthias Walkner (KTM) found himself with a swollen right knee after a fall in the fourth stage, Paulo Gonçalves gave the Hero team a stage victory, Johnny Aubert (Sherco) rode well, as did Toby Price. The event also saw the continued progression of the two Americans riders Ricky Brabec (Honda) and winner Andrew Short (Husqvarna).
On a final stage of 168km - which wrapped up a rally with a route of 2,482km and 1,662km of special stages – Short (Husqvarna) finished ahead of teammate Pablo Quintanilla and Joan Barreda (Honda).
"It does not seem real to me," said Short. “I fell at the start of the special but I liked the track, because it was on the stones and in the mountains, terrain like my home, although more dangerous. I am very happy!"
Runner-up Quintanilla (Husqvarna) was worried about the time differences at the finish but, when he saw that it was Andrew Short who had won, the Chilean posted a big smile. He said: "We fought all week and I am really happy for him that he won. He has worked hard to win this rally and he deserves this victory. It's always good to see your teammate and friend progress and succeed. As for me, at the beginning of the rally, I did not feel very well because I had a bad foot, but little-by-little, I found the rhythm and I liked the new road book!"
For third-placed Joan Barreda (Honda), the last special was tough: "From km 20, there were navigation traps. The special was not very long but very complicated in navigation. I left ninth and I thought I won the special, but I'm only second behind Toby (Price - KTM). I'm happy with my job today and being on the podium again."
In the quads, Ignacio Casale (Yamaha) deserted cross-country rallies for 18 months after winning the 2018 Dakar, but returned to action in winning style. "I needed a rest time but here I am again with great motivation and very happy with this victory in the Rally of Morocco. It is a race I wanted to participate in for a long time."
Poland’s Rafal Sonik (Yamaha) finished second, ahead of his compatriot Kamil Wiesniewski (Yamaha). "In the second stage, I had problems with my navigation system and it was difficult to get to the bivouac, but then I got some more time and the fight with Ignacio gives me a new motivation,” said Sonik.
Luciano Benavides (KTM), who won the FIM Junior Rally Rally Trophy, said: "It was my first full season and I could not imagine a better result. I finished each race and it paid off."
Laia Sanz (KTM) claimed victory in the FIM Women's Cross-Country Rally Trophy and the 2019 FIM Veteran Trophy went to Rafal Sonik (Yamaha) again.
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General Result Bikes
1.Andrew Short (Husqvarna) en 18h03’54
2.Pablo Quintanilla (Husqvarna) @1’21
3.Joan Barreda (Honda) @2’44
4.Toby Price (KTM) @2’51
5.Ricky Brabec (Honda) 4’07
General Result Quad
1.Ignacio Casale (Yamaha) en 23h00’29
2.Rafal Sonik (Yamaha) @29’48
3. Kamil Wiesniewski (Yamaha) @38’27
More Results
F.I.M. stage results :FIM Stages
F.I.M. general results: FIM OVERALL
Rallye du Maroc website:RallyeduMaroc
Source FIM Official press release
Photo RallyZone
