Victory for Kevin Benavides and third place for Paulo Gonçalves in the second stage of the Desafío Inca. The Monster Energy Honda Team riders improve in the overall standings.

In a lengthy, looping second stage in the dunes, Kevin Benavides was able to take control of the race and set the pace during the 350-kilometre special on the second day of the Desafio Inca. Starting out from further back proved a blessing for the Argentinean, whose stage victory allows the rider to move up into sixth position in the general standings.

Portuguese team-mate Paulo Gonçalves showed himself to be the most consistent of the team. Today he posted third place and occupies fourth place overall, 21 seconds behind the leader after two days of competition. Accompanying Gonçalves in the general rankings is José Ignacio Cornejo, who suffered the ‘handicap’ of being among the group of riders opening the track. Despite finishing with the sixth fastest time, the Chilean is fifth overall 3’33” behind the leader.

A navigation error put a spanner in the works for Ricky Brabec today, who had originally set out to claw back time and positions in the race. After two days of racing, the American holds ninth some 25 minutes adrift of the overall leader.

Tomorrow the final stage, featuring a 200-kilometre special stage, will again be held on a looping circuit beginning and ending in Ica.

Kevin Benavides

STAGE: 1st OVERALL: 6th

It’s been a good stage. I had to start out from behind. I had great feelings with the bike which is what we were looking for with this race. I pushed hard and was able to catch up the riders in front. I was able to get ahead at the end. I’m very happy with the stage and glad to be more or less on good form.

Paulo Goncalves

STAGE: 3rd OVERALL: 4th

It was another very long stage at 350 kilometres. I’m pleased. I had a good starting position. I recovered a bit of time. Above all I felt good all day. A good pace. There was quite a lot of navigation in the dunes. The bike is running really well which is the principal objective here. We are happy. There is still one day to go so we’ll try to finish it as best we can.

Ricky Brabec

STAGE: 11th OVERALL: 9th

The second day was alright. We’re just here for practice but everyone is still keeping time and putting pressure on us. So it’s hard to focus. I made a big mistake today. I’m looking forward to tomorrow and just making it through the race and then focus on the next one that will be in Morocco.

José Ignacio “Nacho” Cornejo 10

STAGE: 6th OVERALL: 5th

We’ve finished the second stage and it was a very good one. We spent most of the day with a group of other riders. There were some very entertaining parts but others with a lot of dust where it was a bit dangerous. I showed a good pace and I was sixth in the stage that puts me fifteen in the overall standings. It’s a good position to start tomorrow from which I’ll be able to make up positions. I’m happy and all ready for the final stage tomorrow.

2018 Season
Stage Stage 2   Desafio Inca

Provisional Stage 2 results

Pos. Rider Num Nation Team Constructor Time/Gap
1 Benavides Kevin ARG Monster Energy Honda HRC Honda 3:55'21
2 Walkner Matthias AUT Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team KTM +0'54
3 Goncalves Paulo POR Monster Energy Honda HRC Honda +2'55
4 Short Andrew USA Husqvarna Factory Rally Team Husqvarna +4'03
5 Quintanilla Pablo CHI Husqvarna Factory Rally Team Husqvarna +4'48
6 Cornejo José Ignacio "Nacho" 10 CHI Monster Energy Honda HRC Honda +8'14
7 Van Beveren Adrien FRA Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team Yamaha +10'58
8 Caimi Franco ARG Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team Yamaha +14'13
9 de Soultrait Xavier 12 FRA HT Rally Raid Husqvarna Racing Husqvarna +15'43
10 Mena Oriol SPA Hero Motorsports Team Rally Hero +15'45
11 Brabec Ricky USA Monster Energy Honda HRC Honda +17'02
2018 Season
Stage Stage 2   Desafio Inca
Pos. Rider Num Nation Team Constructor Time/Gap
1 Short Andrew USA Husqvarna Factory Rally Team Husqvarna 8:12'43.8
2 Walkner Matthias AUT Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team KTM +0'11.20
3 Quintanilla Pablo CHI Husqvarna Factory Rally Team Husqvarna +0'14.20
4 Goncalves Paulo POR Monster Energy Honda HRC Honda +0'21.20
5 Cornejo José Ignacio "Nacho" 10 CHI Monster Energy Honda HRC Honda +3'33.80
6 Benavides Kevin ARG Monster Energy Honda HRC Honda +5'26.20
7 Van Beveren Adrien FRA Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team Yamaha +5'55.50
8 Caimi Franco ARG Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team Yamaha +10'07.20
9 Brabec Ricky USA Monster Energy Honda HRC Honda +25'35.30
10 Price Toby AUS Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team KTM +27'28.20
Location Information

http://www.desafioinca.com/

Ica, Perú - View in Google Maps