
PABLO QUINTANILLA WINS ATACAMA RALLY 2017
ROCKSTAR ENERGY HUSQVARNA FACTORY RACING RALLY ACE TOPS THE FINAL STAGE
TO CLAIM WELL-DESERVED OVERALL VICTORY
Ensuring the best possible end to his week-long adventure in the dunes of
Chile, Pablo Quintanilla has secured overall victory at the 2017 edition of
the Atacama Rally. The Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider now sits
just six points from the provisional lead of the FIM Cross-Country Rallies
World Championship, with two races to go.
Following a well-calculated plan of attack, Pablo took advantage of his
good starting position to make up for time lost during yesterday’s stage
four. Completing the 158km special in a total time of one hour and 35 minutes,
the FR 450 Rally mounted rider regained the lead in the overall standings,
going on to open up an eventual gap of more than two minutes to his closest
rival.
Securing a fifth career victory at the Atacama Rally, Quintanilla has
reduced the gap to the provisional leader of the FIM Cross-Country Rallies
World Championship to six points.
Following a very short break, Pablo and the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna
Factory Racing team will return to action in the penultimate round of the
series, the Desafio Ruta 40 in Argentina from August 25 to September 1, 2017.
Pablo Quintanilla: “This victory means a lot to me. After my
injury in Qatar, I had such a tough month recovering. To return to competition
here at my home round in Chile and take the win, it is such an incredible
feeling. All through the event I felt fit and strong on the bike. My Husqvarna
FR 450 Rally has been perfect every single day. I am glad that I have been
able to close on Sam Sunderland in the championship. With two rounds remaining
there is still everything to play for. It’s been a huge team effort and
there are no words to thank each member of the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna
squad. They have been so supportive of me after coming back from my injury. I
am proud that I could reward them with a win.”
2017 Atacama Rally – Stage 5 Provisional Classification
1. Pablo Quintanilla (Husqvarna) 1:35:42
2. Ignacio Cornejo (KTM) 1:35:54
3. Paulo Goncalves (Honda) 1:36:01
4. Kevin Benavides (Honda) 1:38:07
5. Xavier de Soultrait (Yamaha) 1:41:29
6. Adrien Van Beveren (Yamaha) 1:42:45
2017 Atacama Rally - Final Overall Classification
1. Pablo Quintanilla (Husqvarna) 12:53:49
2. Kevin Benavides (Honda) 12:56:12
3. Paulo Goncalves (Honda) 13:05:40
4. Sam Sunderland (KTM) 13:17:04
5. Xavier de Soultrait (Yamaha) 13:27:35
6. Matthias Walkner (KTM) 13:27:54
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