Canet and Quintero Shine in Morocco Rally
In a remarkable showcase of skill and determination, Edgar Canet and Seth Quintero clinched victories in their respective categories at the Rallye OLA Energy du Maroc, firmly establishing themselves as frontrunners in the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC). Canet, at just 21 years old, has made history by becoming the youngest winner of this esteemed rally, marking a significant milestone in his burgeoning career within the RallyGP category. His journey to victory was fueled by inspiration drawn from Luciano Benavides’ impressive comeback against Ricky Brabec during the Dakar's final day. In the challenging terrain of Zagora, Canet overtook his teammate Daniel Sanders while also taking on the responsibility of opening the track, ultimately seizing the overall lead.
This triumph not only signifies Canet's debut victory in RallyGP but also positions him as the first Rally2 champion to conquer the premier category. Following closely, Ricky Brabec secured the stage win, finishing 3 minutes and 32 seconds behind Canet, while solidifying his place on the podium. Sanders remains at the forefront of the RallyGP championship standings, holding a narrow lead of 13 points over Benavides and Schareina, with Brabec trailing just 17 points behind. Sanders is now in a prime position to become the first back-to-back world champion in the W2RC for motorcycles.
Red Bull KTM and Toyota’s Dominance
The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team celebrated a significant achievement in Morocco, marking their first double victory since the Safari Rally in South Africa. Their success has widened the gap over competitors like Monster Energy Honda HRC and Hero MotoSports in the constructors' standings, with KTM remaining undefeated this season. Martim Ventura emerged as the winner of Stage 5 and the overall Rally2 category, outpacing Michael Docherty from Hero MotoSports, while Toni Mulec, at 18 points behind, is the sole remaining challenger in the Rally2 championship.
In a parallel narrative, Seth Quintero’s consistency propelled him to victory in the car category, where he maintained a position no lower than third throughout the rally. Driving for Toyota Gazoo Racing W2RC, Quintero's performance mirrored his earlier triumph in the Desafío Ruta 40 YPF. His win has reinvigorated Toyota’s standing, with fellow teammates João Ferreira and Henk Lategan joining him on the podium. This marks Toyota's first all-podium finish in three years and breathes new life into the constructors' championship, which is still led by The Dacia Sandriders. Quintero has not only claimed back-to-back victories but has also usurped the FIA championship lead from Sébastien Loeb.
Loeb, who faced a mechanical issue just 700 meters from the finish line, was competing fiercely for the stage win, claimed by Eryk Goczał. At only 24 years of age, Quintero not only stands as the youngest rally winner but also as the youngest leader in the championship. The competition remains tight, with Loeb, Al Attiyah, Ferreira, and Lategan still mathematically in contention for the title. The results of the Morocco Rally are as follows:
- Winner: Seth Quintero (Toyota Gazoo Racing W2RC)
- Second: João Ferreira, +4′23″
- Third: Henk Lategan, +4′42″
- Stage 5: Eryk Goczał (Energylandia Rally)
As the World Rally-Raid Championship prepares for its final round at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge from November 22 to 27, both Canet and Quintero are set to defend their hard-earned leads, promising an exhilarating conclusion to the season. Their victories in Morocco have ignited the W2RC championship race, setting the stage for an intense finale in the United Arab Emirates.
As reported by euromotor.app.
