Pablo Quintanilla has ridden to victory on the 410-kilometre ninth stage of the 2020 Dakar Rally to claim his first stage win this year ahead of Toby Price and Joan Barreda.
With stage eight of the rally cancelled in memory of
Paulo Goncalves, the motorcycle class returned to action early this morning with the 886-kilometre stage nine from Wadi Al Dawasir to Haradh. Crossing the Saudi Arabian ‰Û÷Empty Quarter‰Ûª riders were faced with a wide variety of terrain including dirt, sand and stony tracks as they navigated around canyons and riverbeds.
Following his eighth-place finish on Sunday, Quintanilla felt comfortable from the off this morning and was immediately able to push on the hard-packed surface. Third quickest to the first checkpoint, Pablo made his way past several riders in front to take the provisional lead by kilometre 244. Maintaining that position to the finish, despite pressure from riders behind, the two-time world champion claimed the win by almost two minutes from Toby Price. With three stages left to race, Pablo sits second overall in the provisional standings.
‰ÛÏIt was a strange feeling this morning after what happened to Paulo, but I think it was good to get riding again," Quintanilla reflected. "There was a long liaison this morning and it was very cold, but I felt better when we hit the special and I was able to push right away. In the end, I won the stage, which was a fitting way to honour Paulo. But now, with stage eight cancelled, my strategy is more complicated. My goal from here is to push and try to make up as much time over the final three days as possible.‰Û
