After three stages run around Aoufous, the competitors headed north back to Fez where the rally started from last 3 October. The last selective section of 168 kilometres resulted in the victory of Andrew Short (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Team) in the FIM bike category, Giniel De Villiers (Toyota Gazoo Racing) in the FIA car category, Xavier Flick (Sherco TVS Rally Factory) in Enduro Cup Afriquia, Casey Currie (Monster Energy Can-Am) in the SSV Maroc Telecom category, Jaroslav Valtr (Valtr Racing Team) in Open trucks and Jean-Antoine Sabatier (Bugga’One) in Open cars.
Yesterday’s 456 kilometres long stage was the same for all the categories. After having left the bivouac in Aoufous very early in the morning, the Rallye du Maroc competitors covered a first 214 kilometres liaison to reach the start of the special near Midelt. The selective section comprised of 168 kilometres, starting across valleys and plains before a 60 kilometre mountain section and a finish in the forest just outside Ifrane. The competitors ended their 2019 Rallye du Maroc with a 74 kilometre liaison to reach Fez, where the prizegiving ceremony awaited them at the Hotel Marriott.
FIM BIKES-QUADS: SHORT AHEAD OF QUINTANILLA AND BARREDA
Separated by just 28 seconds this morning at the start of the last selective section, Andrew Short (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Team) and Pablo Quintanilla (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Team) fought an epic battle throughout the day, taking it in turns to lead the virtual overall classifications. In the end it was Andrew Short (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Team), this morning’s leader, who wins the 2019 Rallye du Maroc by just 1’21’’ ahead of Pablo Quintanilla (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Team). In the process the American takes his first win on a round of an FIM World Championship, a victory achieved with a minimum of drama and a maximum of regularity. The third place on the final podium was also fiercely contested, with Joan Barreda (Monster Energy Honda Team) managing to hold onto his third place overall by just 7’’, to the detriment of Toby Price (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), winner of two stages on this Rallye du Maroc, including today’s. On the day’s stage the Australian headed home Joan Barreda (Monster Energy Honda Team) by 2’54’’ with Luciano Benavides third (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) at 3’10”.
In the quads Ignacio Casale (Drag’on) won the Rallye du Maroc ahead of Rafal Sonik (Sonik Team) by 29’52”, today’s stage winner, and Kamil Wisnieski (Wisnieski Team) by 1h08’15”. Clearly the Chilean is feeling very at home with his new team and bike.
Andrew Short (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Team): “It’s so unbelievable to win, it doesn’t seem real. It isn’t like I don’t deserve it because I’ve worked really hard, but I still feel I have a lot to learn. This is my third Rallye du Maroc, it was my first ever rally. I always enjoy it, especially since Castera took it over last year. I think it is the best race of the year in terms of organisation and professionalism. I look forward to this race because of that and because it is so challenging with the terrain.”
Pablo Quintanilla (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Team): “In the end I’m really happy with the result, the race. In the beginning it was really tough for me, the first two days with my leg. But after that I refocused and tried to catch the rhythm with the new road book, these new colours and every day it was a little bit better. This is my second race of the year. In Atacama I won and here I am second. It means we are doing things right and I feel really motivated for the future and I still have a few months before the Dakar to recover from my injury and keep training.”
Joan Barreda (Monster Energy Honda Team): “I pushed hard today. We’ve been working hard all week and it has been a good training for the next Dakar. I like this new system of road book, the philosophy is super good. I think there are a few details to look at, like more information, because now that we can’t analysis and study the road book we need more references, compass headings.”
Toby Price (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing): “The only solution today was to dig deep but unfortunately about 7 kilometres from the finish I just ran a little bit wide on a turn, hit a stone in a bit of grass. I wasn’t going fast but I went over the bars and landed on the top of my head. It would have been good to put a KTM up on the podium…Now I’ve got a bit of headache and my neck is really stiff. I know I have the speed and my navigation is really good and now we focus on January.”
ENDURO CUP AFRIQUIA : XAVIER FLICK IMPRESSES
Xavier Flick (Sherco TVS Racing), up until now the winner of all the stages in the Enduro Cup Afriquia category, finally gave away a day to Damien Miquel-Orlandi (RS Concept CBO) for 10’09’’. The Sherco rider finishes third, behind the quad of Vincent Padrona (Corsica ATV Team), second on the day 9’08’’ behind the winner. Xavier Flick wins the 2019 Rallye du Maroc Enduro Cup Afriquia, 3h35’58’’ ahead of Guillaume Borne (Sherco TVS Racing) and 4h10’31’’ ahead of Damien Bataller (Team DB Racing).
Grégory Gilson (G Project), aboard his antique 1970s Honda 125 XLS, finished in an amazing 12th place! Victim of a crash just three kilometres from today’s finish, the enduro rider managed to get across the line with a broken collarbone.
RESULTS:
F.I.A. stage results : https://registrorm.odcevents.com/live/live_R015.asp
FIA general results : https://registrorm.odcevents.com/live/live_08FIA.asp
F.I.M. stage results : https://registrorm.odcevents.com/live/live_R025.asp
F.I.M. general results: https://registrorm.odcevents.com/live/live_08FIM.asp
Enduro Cup Afriquia stage results: https://registrorm.odcevents.com/live/live_03.asp?stip=R03&cat=1
SSV Maroc Telecom results: https://registrorm.odcevents.com/live/live_03.asp?stip=R03&cat=3
Auto Open stage results : https://registrorm.odcevents.com/live/live_03.asp?stip=R03&cat=4
Truck Open stage results: https://registrorm.odcevents.com/live/live_03.asp?stip=R03&cat=6
Enduro Cup Afriquia / SSV Maroc Telecom / Auto Open / Truck Open general results : https://registrorm.odcevents.com/live/live_08RES.asp
Source Rallye du Maroc
Photo: DPPI
