DIRT NEWS
PABLO QUINTANILLA JOINS HONDA
T he FIM Cross-Country Rallies team shuffle continues this month with news that former Husqvarna campaigner Pablo Quintanilla has joined up with the reigning champs at Honda for the 2021 season and the 2022 Dakar . Quintanilla , who placed 7th overall at this year ’ s running of the Dakar Rally , joins the Monster Energy Honda Team after the shock departure of reigning Dakar champion Kevin Benavides who defected to KTM last month . The Chilean rider joins the team with strong ties to the Japanese brand already , having begun his Cross-Country Rallies career with Honda in 2013 . He scored numerous triumphs , including two FIM World Championship titles in 2016 and 2017 , runner-up spot in the 2020 Dakar Rally and third place in 2016 . Quintanilla made his return to Honda at the Andalucía Rally just before KR was published . “ I am very happy and motivated to join the Monster Energy Honda Team ,” Quintanilla said . “ For me it is a great honour to be part of this tremendous team that has shown such great
development and enormous professionalism over recent years . My intention is to be able to convey my knowledge and my experience to the team and I hope to get great results . I wish to thank everyone for the opportunity and I am sure that together we will do a great job .” “ In recent years we have had a great team , with riders able to win races ”, says Team General Manager , Ruben Faria . “ They have shown it : Ricky won in 2020 and Kevin in 2021 , but Nacho was a good leader and Joan was also in front . “ Benavides left the team after winning the Dakar and we were left with one rider less , so we had to look for a top rider . This is what we have done , and that is why I am very pleased to have Pablo Quintanilla aboard . I ’ ve known Pablo since I was a rider and I ’ m sure that he will be a very strong element who will reinforce the great atmosphere in the team .” The addition of Pablo Quinantilla rounds out Honda with a four rider line-up consisting of Quintanilla , Ricky Brabec , Joan Barreda and José Ignacio Cornejo .
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