Atacama Rally: Monster Energy Honda off to a swift start

Michelle Liew

September 4, 2019

Here’s a recap of stage one of the Atacama Rally in Chile.

The Atacama Rally has gone underway this week and Monster Energy Honda has gotten to a great start. Riders Kevin Benavides (current Atacama Rally champion) and Ricky Brabec made it through the first stage with no issues. Joan Barreda and Nacho Bornejo also managed to perform well in the Chilean desert.

The second stage of the Atacama Rally will be taking place tomorrow and includes one of the longest specials at 370 kilometres. It will start in Copiapó and conclude in Vallenar.

Kevin Benavides (Monster Energy Honda Team)- As it Happened

Photo credits: HRC

“It was the first day, so a good chance to warm up the engines here in the desert. I felt good, very comfortable. I like the bike set-up. We are on the right track. The stage was very picturesque and very varied with dunes, valleys, rapids, rivers … a bit of everything really. The starting position he had wasn’t the greatest, but soon we had Nacho opening the track with me in behind him. His speed was good, so we arrived at the finish line with great pace.,” says Benavides as quoted from Honda Racing Corporation.

Ricky Brabec (Monster Energy Honda Team)- As it Happened

Photo credits: HRC

Stage one was pretty fast today. The bike felt really good and I felt really good. I’m happy to be here at 100%, with the Team. We are all here, and in one piece, and we are all smiling as we had a good day. This is just the start. I’m looking forward to the next four days so there is a long way to go from here. Everything is good – I’m happy and the bike is working well, so we’ll keep pushing.

Joan Barreda (Monster Energy Honda Team)- As it Happened

Photo credits: HRC

It was the first day in the sand with very fast areas. At the beginning of the stage, I hit a rock and damaged the wheel. I didn’t know if I would be able to reach the end of the special and I lost concentration a little. While in the sandy areas the bike was going well, but on the harder track I had to ease things up a bit. I think that in spite of everything I kept up a good pace and salvaged something out of the stage.

José Ignacio Cornejo (Monster Energy Honda Team)- As it Happened

Photo credits: HRC

I’ve finished the first stage and I think it went well. I started out in fourth with some slower riders ahead, so by kilometre 30, I was opening the track. I was focusing hard on keeping up a good pace and not making any mistakes. Overall, I think I did a good job because I came to the end alone and no-one had caught me up. Obviously they made up time on me but I’m nevertheless happy with my ride and the bike, which was perfect.