Van Beveren wins the battle of Abu Dhabi but Toby Price leads the fight

Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2023
Stage Five

Adrien Van Beveren (Monster Energy Honda) won the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge for the first time in his career, beating Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna Factory Racing) and Toby Price (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing).

Toby Price struggled on the final day but the effort was well worth a podium for the event that sent the 35-year-old Australian to the top of the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship standings. However, with three rounds left to compete, there is still a long way to go, starting with round three, the Sonora Rally in Mexico, from April 22 to 28.

After opening day four, experiencing some of the harshest conditions ever seen at this year’s race, Toby Price entered the final day of ADDC in sixth overall and with a starting position in position. Saturday. The two-time Dakar champion has no choice but to use the track left in the sand ahead to push as hard as he can and try to create maximum time for his opponents in particularly long distances. 206 km hourly. And that’s exactly what he did!

Leading in time for the entire race, Price gradually increased his advantage on the field to finally finish ahead of second-place driver Jose Ignacio Cornejo by nearly two and a half minutes. That distance matters because it was Cornejo that Price took off the podium in just two seconds after more than 17 hours of racing.

Kevin Benavides (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), the previous lead after the win in Dakar, dropped to third place, with 38 points, after canceling the ADDC in the eleventh hour.

The fifth and final leg of the rally made the connection between Qasr Al Sarab and Abu Dhabi with the 206km Special Leg added by a 164km liaison. José Ignacio Cornejo was today the team’s best driver with second place (2:12 gap), while Van Beveren was 5th (3:22 ​​minute gap) and Ricky Brabec was 6th (approx. at 4:35 minutes).

In the Manufacturers rankings from the World Rally Raid Championship – where the brand is the reigning World Champion – Honda is currently in second place with 75 points, nine points behind the leader and nine points behind the leader. There are still many points to conquer in the three races completed this year calendar.

Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2023
Stage Five Results

1. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 2:24:45
2. Ignacio Cornejo (CHI), Honda, 2:27:08 +2:23
3. Skyler Howes (USA), Husqvarna, 2:27:14 +2:29
4. Ross Branch (BWA), Hero, 2:27:46 +3:01
5. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA), Honda, 2:28:07 +3:22

Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2023
Provisional final standings

1. VAN BEVEREN Adrien 42 FRA Honda Monster Energy Team 17:13:39
2. BENAVIDES Luciano 77 ARG Husqvarna Factory Racing 17:17:57
3. PRICE Toby 18 AUS Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team 17:18:52
4. CORNEJO José Ignacio 11 CHI Monster Energy Honda Team 17:18:54
5. EVAN BRANCH Ross 16 BWA Hero Motorsports Team Rally 17:19:56
6. HOWES Skyler 10 USA Husqvarna Factory Racing 17:20:02
7. BRABEC Ricky 2 USA Monster Energy Honda Team 17:23:44

Ruben Faria
Monster Energy Honda General Manager

“I have to strike a positive balance out of this Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, although it is a pity that Pablo Quintanilla had to leave the race yesterday as he was vying for the top spot. Today, José Ignacio Cornejo lost the podium in just two short seconds and it was a tough defeat. But the competition is like that and we have to move forward. I have to congratulate all the drivers for their performance and dedication. Now the focus is on the next round of the World Championship, the Sonora Rally in Mexico.”

Adrien Van Beveren – P1

“The feeling of winning is really great for me as a rider and also for the team that has invested in me. It’s a little frustrating not being able to stand on the podium in the nearest Dakar. Now coming here and winning the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge just a few weeks after Dakar is an amazing feeling. This is very important for me and the team to stay motivated. For sure I will continue to work for more wins but now is the time to enjoy the moment. Really happy with the atmosphere and the spirit in the team, it’s great that you can win and have fun at the same time.“

Luciano Benavides – P2

“I’m happy to take second place here in Abu Dhabi. Today I tried so hard and opened it all up – it was a tough and exhausting day. There was quite a bit of pressure this morning to do a full-on stage, that was the only option I had. But I think I did a great job and am satisfied with the result. Leaving the race with a podium and two stage wins was amazing. Of course, I want to win, but I think this is the best way to keep building race by race and victory will surely come. I think I’m fourth in the championship, so I’ll keep giving it my all and see what happens in Mexico..”

Price Toby – P3

“I had to work very hard today. Opening on a long Wednesday really blew me away overall, which are the conditions. I knew my only option today was to do my best, and so I tried as hard as I could to cover the 206 km! Just being on the podium for two seconds is crazy. It shows the level of the drivers at the moment in the race, with results usually in seconds, not minutes – I think that’s really good for the championship. In the end, the bike and the whole team have been fantastic here in Abu Dhabi, working so hard to give us the tools we need. There’s a bit of a gap now but then Mexico will get to the next round.“

José Ignacio Cornejo – P4

“The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge is over and I had a good run today, but unfortunately this was not enough to secure a spot on the podium. It was a real battle out there today and we did our best to go fast and safe. So I go home in fourth place and happy with my Honda CRF 450 Rally and happy with how I’m feeling day by day. I’m also happy for the team and for Adrian’s win.”

Skyler Howes – P6

“Today was a good day for me, I did my best and finished safely in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. Obviously, it would be nice to have a slightly higher order fulfillment. There have been a few places where I could have done things better, but I am satisfied with riding here in the desert and I have gained a lot of experience for the future. Next we’re going to Mexico and the Sonora Rally, it’s a really special event for me and I won it last year, so hopefully and can do the same again this season..”

Ricky Brabec – P7

“We have completed Phase Five, first of all congratulations to all the teams. I’m glad I got to the end in a piece. We will now take the positives and negatives home and work on it to improve in the future. The next race is coming up in my backyard, so try to win. Now I also want to thank the whole team for their constant and wonderful support.”

World Raid Championship

1. Price Toby (AUS), KTM, 46
2. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA), Honda, 42
3. Kevin Benavides (ARG), KTM, 38
4. Luciano Benavides (ARG), Husqvarna, 35
5. Skyler Howes (USA), Husqvarna, 34