Pablo Quintanilla Puts in a Stellar Stage Two Performance at Desafio Ruta 40

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Star Less than One Minute Behind the Provisional Leader with Three Stages to be Contested in Argentina

August 29, 2018 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – Enjoying a strong performance on today’s stage of the Desafio Ruta 40, Pablo Quintanilla placed third in the event’s second full rally stage. Getting even closer to the provisional overall lead, the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider will continue battling for the top step of the podium at this penultimate round of the 2018 FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship.

Following a well-calculated plan, Quintanilla remained fast and consistent throughout the 317km timed special of stage two. With two long days in the books, the Chilean rally star is second in the overall standings and just 44 seconds behind the provisional leader Toby Price.

Determined to keep on fighting for the overall victory at the 2018 edition of the Desafio Ruta 40, Pablo has eyes set on extending his lead in the provisional FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship.

After today’s long and exhausting stage, competitors will have to tackle what’s promising to be another demanding stage on Wednesday. Featuring a 336km loop around the city of Tinogasta, stage three of the rally includes a 258km timed special.

Pablo Quintanilla: “We had a really hard stage today and it was good to wrap it up inside the top three. The majority of the timed special was off-piste and there were also lots of parts with camel grass. It was a really long stage and that also made it mentally exhausting. I did my best to maintain a good pace today and it paid off. I still have some pain on my back and that made things even harder for me today. Nevertheless, everything is going according to plan for us here in Argentina and we will continue working hard until the end.”

2018 Desafio Ruta 40 Rally – Stage 2 Provisional Classification

1. Toby Price (KTM) 04:16:42
2. Matthias Walkner (KTM) 04:18:59
3. Pablo Quintanilla (Husqvarna) 04:22:31
4. Paulo Goncalves (Honda) 04:24:39
5. Lorenzo Santolino (Sherco) 04:29:46
6. Luciano Benavides (KTM) 04:34:55

2018 Desafio Ruta 40 Rally – Provisional Overall Classification [After Stage 2]

1. Toby Price (KTM) 08:30:14
2. Pablo Quintanilla (Husqvarna) 08:30:58
3. Matthias Walkner (KTM) 08:31:42
4. Paulo Goncalves (Honda) 08:32:39
5. Luciano Benavides (KTM) 08:59:36
6. Ricky Brabec (Honda) 09:11:49

Husqvarna Motorcycles. Tradition on two wheels since 1903.

Husqvarna Motorcycles are widely known and respected in the off-road world for a heritage of competition and numerous motocross and enduro world championships. Originally founded in Sweden in 1903, Husqvarna Motorcycles have been designed and manufactured in Mattighofen, Austria since 2013.

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Source: Husqvarna Motorcycles GmbH

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