RACE SUMMARY

JROD knocking the doors to a podium finish at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge

Hero MotoSports Team Rally, the motorsports team of the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters - Hero MotoCorp, has completed four of the five stages of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge.

Joaquim Rodrigues, who has been delivering strong results through the rally registered his best finish so far. Riding steadily in a very fast stage that alternated between dunes and valleys, he finished in fourth place.

In the overall standings too, he has now climbed to the fourth position.

Sebastian Buhler who was running strong in seventh place suffered an unfortunate crash and had to retire due to an injury to his leg.

The penultimate stage of the rally consisted of 250kms of racing in the dunes of Liwa desert.

COMING UP

The last stage will see the riders cover another 216kms of racing, post which the winner of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2021 will be decided.

JOAQUIM
RODRIGUES

“It was definitely a better day for me and I am slowly regaining my energy. It was a really fast stage and there were some dangerous sections in the desert, so I did my best to be careful. I heard about Buhler’s crash when I reached the bivouac. I wish him a speedy recovery and hope to see him riding with us at the Dakar.”

Sebastian
Buhler

“Today’s stage did not go well for me. I had a good start, but after the refueling, I suffered a crash on a plateau and injured my leg. I thank my fellow competitors Aaron Mare and Ross Branch, who helped me after my crash till the medical team arrived. I will be heading home to recover and thank the team for their hard work and support throughout the year.”

PROVISIONAL RANKINGS - Stage 4

POS NAME TEAM TIMING
1Adrien van BeverenMonster Energy Yamaha03h 10m 02s
2Matthias WalknerRedBull KTM Factory Racing+ 54s
3Joaquim RodriguesHero MotoSports Team Rally+ 02m 58s
4Daniel SandersGasGas Factory Racing+ 03m 46s
5Ross BranchMonster Energy Yamaha+ 16m 35s

OVERALL RANKINGS AFTER - Stage 4

POS NAME TEAM TIMING
1Matthias WalknerRedBull KTM Factory Racing15h 05m 20s
2Daniel SandersGasGas Factory Racing+ 03m 50s
3Adrien van BeverenMonster Energy Yamaha+ 04m 46s
4Joaquim RodriguesHero MotoSports Team Rally+ 28m 32s
5Aaron Mare+ 01h 16m 15s