Approaching the end of Dakar 2018, Stage 13 took riders from San Juan to Cordoba. The total distance combining the liaison and special stage was 907km, the longest in this edition, and Monster Energy Honda Team rider Kevin Benavides rode hard to close his gap to the overall leader by 9 minutes and 29 seconds.
Riders arrived in the El Zonda circuit bivouac on the night of the 18th, where a long and slim high-speed circuit was built 50 years ago by cutting out the rocky landscape. The paddock became the bivouac for the rally, and due to rocks absorbing the heat of the day, it was also a hot night for the exhausted riders. However, the Dakar is coming to an end. Stage 13 led the competitors to the final destination, Cordoba.
Benavides started off 2nd, according to the results of the previous stage. Because the final stage set tomorrow will be a short 120km, and traditionally starting in a reverse grid order with many back markers, this 13th stage is crucial for the top contenders.
The Special Stage was timed in two parts, with a neutral zone in between. The first part was in the dunes with camel grass, dried up rivers demanding navigation skills, and in the last 50km was more dunes with hardly any routes at all. The second part covered dirt tracks with many sharp corners, resembling a WRC race. Total distance of the two special stages was 424km.
Starting at 6:48 from second place, Benavides pushed hard to close the gap to the race leader. He passed all the Way-Points at good times, maintaining his speed all the way to the finish line, completing the important stage in 2nd. This put him more than 9 minutes closer to the overall lead, and the gap is now down to 22 minutes 31 seconds. He will continue to fight hard in the final stage tomorrow.
In overall 6th, Ricky Brabec started this stage from 4th and was able to keep a good pace until his CRF450RALLY suffered an electrical problem and stopped just after 50km into the Special. He attempted to mend the problem, later also supported by team mate Jose Ignacio Cornejo who caught up, but was not able to get going again and had to leave the rally.
Cornejo finished the stage in 23rd (45 minutes 52 seconds off the pace), an overall 10th despite his brief stop to support Brabec. However, the gap of the overall 9th, 10th and 11th on the leaderboard is very close, making the final 14th stage exiting for the riders to be in the top 10.
MEC TEAM riders Diego Martin Duplessis and Mark Samuels who both ride the CRF450RALLY also rode well in this stage, finishing in a respectable 18th and 21st positions.
Tomorrow brings the final stage. The Monster Energy Honda Team is strongly united to finish this Dakar successfully.
Kevin Benavides #47, Stage: 2nd, Overall: 2nd
“Today I rode a good stage, which was hard but where I had a lot of fun on the sand tracks. I had a minor fall but I pushed hard and was able to take some time back the leader. Tomorrow I will go out and try to ride an intelligent race. We are going to try to take it carefully because there are several dangers and you can’t mess around.”
Ricky Brabec #20, DNF
“It was very unfortunate on the penultimate day for me to have an electric issue and they forced me to quit, as they only gave me an hour to get moving again. We’ll just have to keep working hard towards next year. I’m sorry to all friends and fans whom I haven’t been able to keep up to date recently. Thank you all very much for the support.”
Taichi Honda | Monster Energy Honda Team Rally Large Project Leader
“Kevin Benavides fought hard again today, maintaining the overall 2nd position. Ricky Brabec on the other hand suffered electronical problems while in the Special Stage and although he attempted to mend it in the scorching sun, it was taking time and the organizers made the decision for him to retire, due to the dangers of staying out in the heat for too long. It’s a shame.
“One more day to go. Benavides is still in a position to clutch the glory and we are going to support him all the way to the finish. We have not given up!”
Original Source[ HONDA World ]