DAKAR STAGE 11 RESULTS

Rockstar Husqvarna’s Pablo Quintanilla won today’s stage 11 of the 2020 Dakar Rally after a battle with Red Bull KTM’s Matthias Walkner that came down to a 9-second gap. That was after 235 miles of racing and 227-miles of liaison in the second leg of the marathon stage, with riders returning to the bivouac in Haradh. The opening kilometers had a heavy dose of dunes before the stage finished with sandy track and some solid ground.

The Honda trio of Joan Barreda, Ricky Brabec and Kevin Benavides started up front and found it difficult to open the route in the initial sand section. After that, fuel conservation became an issue, and all three ended up surrendering moderate time to the KTM vs. Husqvarna battle for the stage win. Brabec’s lead is still comfortable going into the final stage.

Pablo Quintanilla: “Honestly, the stage was really tough today – all off-piste and very fast. I felt good and was able to push as hard as I could. Overall, I’m really happy with my race and to be in this position going into the final day. After difficult months I have had coming back from injury, it feels great to be here and second overall going into tomorrow. As always I will give my all and we’ll see what will happen.”

Ricky Brabec: “There’s one stage left. The team is working well. I’m pretty excited. I can’t get my hopes up right now. Stage 11 here in the dunes was pretty tough, starting up front due to the cancellation of the second part. So it was really hard to judge the time. Tomorrow there is one stage left and I’m in a good starting position. I’m confident to be focused and make it to the finish line.”

Andrew Short: “I’ve enjoyed today, we had some really nice varied terrain. To see all the different types of sand was cool, from white sand like you’d get on the beach to the really red sand like the Liwa dunes in Peru. I was riding OK, trying to manage my fuel because I knew that would be tight. I perhaps lost a little too much time on the guys in front but overall, with one stage left to go now, the goal is simply to get to the finish safely. I’m looking forward to tomorrow and getting to the end.”

Friday’s stage 12 – the last of the 2020 Dakar Rally – will see riders leave Haradh and head west to Qiddiya and the event’s checkered flag. Although relatively short, totaling 447 kilometers, the timed special of 374 kilometers will still pose a big challenge to competitors as they wrap up the event in Saudi Arabia. It will be followed by a circuit race designed for spectator appeal that will have no affect on the final standings.

STAGE 11 RESULTS

Pos.	Rider	Num	Nation	Team	Time/Gap
1	QUINTANILLA Pablo	5	CHI	Husqvarna Factory Rally Team	04:09’22
2	WALKNER Matthias	2	AUT	KTM Factory Racing Team	+00’09
3	BENAVIDES Luciano	16	ARG	KTM Factory Racing Team	+02’48
4	CORNEJO José Ignacio	17	CHI	Monster Energy Honda Team	+02’53
5	PRICE Toby	1	AUS	KTM Factory Racing Team	+05’49
6	MCCANNEY Jamie	28	GBR	Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team	+06’22
7	CAIMI Franco	22	ARG	Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team	+07’05
8	SHORT Andrew	6	USA	Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory	+08’11
9	BENAVIDES Kevin	7	ARG	Monster Energy Honda Team	+08’48
10	BRABEC Ricky	9	USA	Monster Energy Honda Team	+11’48

 

OVERALL STANDINGS AFTER 11 STAGES

Pos.	Rider	Num	Nation	Team	Time/Gap
1	BRABEC Ricky	9	USA	Monster Energy Honda Team	38:33’28
2	QUINTANILLA Pablo	5	CHI	Husqvarna Factory Rally Team	+13’56
3	PRICE Toby	1	AUS	KTM Factory Racing Team	+22’34
4	WALKNER Matthias	2	AUT	KTM Factory Racing Team	+29’53
5	BARREDA Joan	12	SPA	Monster Energy Honda Team	+30’09
6	CORNEJO José Ignacio	17	CHI	Monster Energy Honda Team	+32’36
7	BENAVIDES Luciano	16	ARG	KTM Factory Racing Team	+35’18
8	CAIMI Franco	22	ARG	Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team	+01:39’14
9	HOWES Skyler	59	USA	Klymciw Racing	+01:59’29
10	SHORT Andrew	6	USA	Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory	+02:06’36