2018 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge Results

Following the Dakar Rally, anticipation quickly begins for the Cross Country Rallies World Championship. And this year’s six-round series got underway this week with the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge.

Four different riders claimed victories during the five-stage 2018 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. But only one rider earned two stage wins: Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Pablo Quintanilla. And those two wins (stages two and four) helped the Chilean Husqvarna FR 450 Rally pilot take the overall victory.

This was the best start for the defending Cross Country Rallies World Champion, who finished 5 minutes and 11 seconds ahead of Red Bull KTM’s Sam Sunderland, the stage-three winner.

Although Monster Energy Honda’s Kevin Benavides didn’t claim any wins, his podium efforts earned him the final podium position, 8 minutes and 34 seconds behind Quintanilla.

As for the other stage winners, KTM’s Toby Price won stage one, and KTM’s Matthias Walkner, the 2018 Dakar Rally winner, stage two.

The Cross Country Rallies Championship continues April 15-20 with the Merzouga Rally on April 15/20.

Following his winning result in the United Arab Emirates, Quintanilla will be joined at the Merzouga Rally in Morocco by his Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team partner Andrew Short, a former Supercross rider.

“I’m really happy to get the win in Abu Dhabi and it’s been a fantastic start to the new season,” Pablo Quintanilla says. “This year’s Desert Challenge has been a really tough race from the beginning until the end. During these last few days we battled through extreme heat and the massive sand dunes of the area.

“There were many high-speed tracks and lots of off-piste sections where navigation was crucial. We also had some great fights with my main competitors and I’m happy I came out on top.

“I would like to thank all the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team for the amazing job they did during this week. They are always by my side and this helps me achieve the results I want. It feels good to start the season with a victory and I’m looking forward to the events to come.”

As for the sole American riding in the 2018 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, Monster Energy Honda’s Ricky Brabec finished sixth, just under 21 minutes behind Quintanilla.

2018 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge – Final Overall Standings

Rank	No	Rider	Country	Manufacturer	Time	Delay	Points
1	1	Pablo QUINTANILLA		Husqvarna	16h51m11s		30
2	5	Sam SUNDERLAND		KTM	16h56m22s	05m11s	24
3	2	Kévin BENAVIDES		Honda	16h59m45s	08m34s	19
4	3	Matthias WALKNER		KTM	17h00m47s	09m36s	17
5	4	Paulo GONÇALVES		Honda	17h09m46s	18m35s	14
6	11	Ricky BRABEC		Honda	17h11m57s	20m46s	13
7	6	Toby PRICE		KTM	17h20m56s	29m45s	13
8	14	Cornejo JOSE		Honda	17h21m16s	30m05s	11
9	12	Michael METGE		Honda	17h29m30s	38m19s	10
10	27	Benjamin MELOT		KTM	19h06m48s	2h15m37s	9
11	8	David MCBRIDE		KTM	19h08m23s	2h17m12s	8
12	24	Max HUNT		Husqvarna	19h26m37s	2h35m26s	7
13	17	Richard BREWER		Yamaha	19h56m14s	3h05m03s	6
14	9	David MABBS		KTM	20h57m31s	4h06m20s	5
15	25	Paul SPIERINGS JR.		Husqvarna	22h16m03s	5h24m52s	4
16	22	Benjamin YOUNG		KTM	24h18m44s	7h27m33s	4
17	26	Martien JIMMINK		Husqvarna	26h56m01s	10h04m50s	4
18	23	Marcel PIEK		Husqvarna	44h19m08s	27h27m57s	4
19	18	James WEST		Yamaha	57h09m17s	40h18m06s	4
20	10	Maciej GIEMZA		KTM	63h37m42s	46h46m31s	4
21	7	Mohammed AL BALOOSHI		KTM			3
22	19	Kurt BURROUGHS		KTM			3
23	20	Neil PENTLAND		KTM			3