Monster Energy Honda Team disputed three races in the August and occupied top spot on the podium in two of them. In the most recent – the Desafío Ruta 40 – Kevin Benavides and Paulo Gonçalves finished in positions one and two. Meanwhile, it’s game on in the world championship as the leader board tightens .
Monster Energy Honda Team is once again proving to be the team to beat in any of the races that the squad participates in. August saw a packed agenda with three rallies, with the team triumphing in two. The other – the Atacama Rally – finished with the duo of Benavides and Gonçalves in second and third place.
The team made off with a splendid win in the Vegas to Reno race thanks to the work of riders Joan Barreda and Ricky Brabec. Then it was on to one of the key Dakar preparation races – Argentina’s Desafío Ruta 40 – where Kevin Benavides replicated his victory of last year’s event.
With Kevin Benavides’ two stage victories, plus one each for Paulo Gonçalves and Michael Metge, Monster Energy Honda Team incontestably dominated the fourth round of the FIM Cross-Country Rally World Championship. The team is right back in the fray for the world championship title. The enigma will be resolved in the Morocco Rally to be held at the beginning of October.
Update on Joan Barreda’s situation
Joan Barreda suffered a fall and injured his left forearm in a training session with the Monster Energy Honda Team one day prior to start of the Challenge Route 40. Both the rider and team decided that the best thing for Barreda would be to not participate in the race to avoid the likelihood of greater damage. Joan returned to Spain to undergo a cleansing of the affected area. The recovery period is expected to be about four weeks and he should be back for scheduled team testing in Morocco in September.
Taichi Honda
As I said a few days ago, we have taken a great step forward in our preparation for the team’s main objective which is the Dakar Rally. Not only did the riders do a great job in these three races in August, but the whole team has worked hard to achieve these successes and that success is also due to our sponsors and technical collaborators.
Over the last few days I have seen how all the technical staff has worked so hard to get a good result: the victory of Kevin Benavides in the Ruta 40 and the runner-up spot for Paulo Gonçalves that puts him in positions to fight for the world championship. In Morocco we will fight to win it, but before we will have more tests for the Team, as the Baja Inka, in Peru. Let's hope everything keeps going the way that it has until now. Thanks for your support.
Private: Raul Castells
After almost a month of racing with the Atacama Rally, the Vegas to Reno race and Ruta 40, the team's performance has been a good one. At the Ruta we were able to round off the hard work with a one-two victory and this means we are working well. Behind all this is a team that also deserves the credit: the mechanics, assistants, coordinators, the technical part of the team that make everything possible and make it all work like a clock on a daily basis. I am very happy because it means that we are doing things right and everything is in place. The bike is also running perfectly so thanks to Honda Japan and HRC. We look with a positive attitude while still working at getting things right. They’re dynamic and competent people and very positive for the Dakar. In a few days we have the OiLibya that will decide the world championship. In this last race we have to battle for the championship, as we have a chance of winning the title, without taking too many risks but playing our game. After such an intense period of hard work, now we can rest a little before getting back in action again and working towards the forthcoming dates.
FIM World Championship standings
| Pos. | Rider | Num | Nation | Team | Constructor | Time/Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Quintanilla Pablo | CHI | Husqvarna Factory Rally Team | Husqvarna | 87 points | |
| 2 | Goncalves Paulo | POR | Monster Energy Honda Team | Honda | 82 points | |
| 3 | Sunderland Sam | GBR | KTM Factory Racing Team | KTM | 81 points | |
| 4 | Benavides Kevin | ARG | Monster Energy Honda Team | Honda | 74 points | |
| 5 | Walkner Matthias | AUT | KTM Factory Racing Team | KTM | 63 points | |
| 6 | de Soultrait Xavier | FRA | Yamaha Motor Europe | Yamaha | 33 points | |
| 7 | Renet Pierre-Alexandre | FRA | Husqvarna Factory Rally Team | Husqvarna | 31 points | |
| 8 | Meo Antoine | FRA | KTM Factory Racing Team | KTM | 25 points | |
| 9 | McBride David | GBR | Vendetta Racing | KTM | 24 points | |
| 10 | Al Balooshi Mohammed | UAE | Ride to Abu Dhabi Team | KTM | 23 points |
Location Information
The Desafio Ruta 40, gets installed in the global sporting context as a premium brand. More than a simple velocity race, like every Cross Country Rally, the Desafio Ruta 40 is an adventure that requires competitors other capacities that goes beyond speed to reach the goal faster. Desafio Ruta 40… read more.
San Rafael, Mendoza, Argentina - View in Google Maps
