Joan Barreda pushed his Honda CRF450 RALLY to the limit over the 465 kilometres of today’s special – the longest of the Dakar Rally – to finish with the day’s top time at the finish in Riyadh. Chilean rider Pablo Quintanilla put the icing on the cake for Monster Energy Honda Team by clinching the runner-up spot.
79% dirt, 12% dunes, 7% sand and 2% dried-out lake were on the menu for the longest stage of the 2022 Dakar Rally, with a 465-kilometre special and a total trek of 707 kilometres. A trial by fire for all those involved. There was a mix of different terrain types to be negotiated and some navigation too. All in all, a high-paced affair that would begin to mark out the riders who will end up in possible contention for the final Dakar prize.
The starting order for this fourth day set the stage for a promising race, particularly for Joan Barreda who came out guns blazing, firmly intent on victory, but also on improving his position in the general standings. With flawless riding and navigational prowess, the Spanish rider reached the finish-line in Riyadh the clear winner and currently holds seventh position, just over thirteen minutes shy of the overall leader. Tomorrow, Barreda will open the track with his rivals in hot pursuit. Joan was penalised one minute for exceeding the speed limit in a radar zone.
Pablo Quintanilla also performed well. An advantageous starting position also helped him follow the trail of his team-mate. The Chilean turned out a very steady stage, consistently among the top three, climbing up one position in the order in the latter half of the day. Quinta’ improves on his position in the table and now lies sixth, eleven minutes and thirteen seconds behind the race leader.
Ricky Brabec, who set off from sixth this morning in Al Qaisumah, had a fairly good day, posting tenth, but Brabec also received a two-minute penalty for speeding in a controlled area. While, José Ignacio Cornejo finished twelfth, looking more at ease on the bike as the days go by, in spite of a minor navigation mistake earlier in the special.
Joan Barreda
I'm very happy with today. It was a very good stage and I achieved another win. We did a very good job from the first moment of the special. We had different terrains: sandy tracks, dunes, rocks and with some navigation. I tried to keep calm, follow our course, but pushing hard and I think we did a great job and I'm very satisfied and happy with it.
Pablo Quintanilla
It was a long special, without too much navigation and with a dune sector of about 50 kilometres. I'm happy with the way I rode today, I tried to push from the back. I was expecting more complicated navigation. I felt comfortable, at ease, with good pace and focused on the roadbook, so as not to miss any tracks and be able to make up some minutes in the general standings.
Results Stage 4
1.BARREDA Joan-Monster Energy Honda Team 04:07'06
2.QUINTANILLA Pablo-Monster Energy Honda Team +00:03'37
3.GONÇALVES Rui-Sherco TVS Rally Factory +00:06'59
4.SANTOLINO Lorenzo-Sherco TVS Rally Factory +00:07'56
5.BENAVIDES Luciano-Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing +00:08'55
6.SUNDERLAND Sam-Gas Gas Factory Team +00:09'15
7.WALKNER Matthias-Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team +00:10'45
8.SVITKO Stefan-Slovnaft Rally Team +00:12'03
9.MICHEK Martin-Orion Moto Racing Group +00:13'18
10.BRABEC Ricky-Monster Energy Honda Team +00:13'34
11.VAN BEVEREN Adrien-Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Team +00:14'05
12.CORNEJO José Ignacio-CHI Monster Energy Honda Team +00:15'09
13.SHORT Andrew-Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Team +00:15'41
14.EVAN BRANCH Ross-Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Team +00:15'41
15.BENAVIDES Kevin-Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team +00:16'42
Rider Standings - After Stage 4
1.SUNDERLAND Sam-Gas Gas Factory Team 15:30'01
2.WALKNER Matthias-Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team +00:03'00
3.VAN BEVEREN Adrien-Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Team +00:04'54
4.SANDERS Daniel-Gas Gas Factory Team +00:07'07
5.SANTOLINO Lorenzo-Sherco TVS Rally Factory +00:10'28
6.QUINTANILLA Pablo-Monster Energy Honda Team +00:11'13
7.BARREDA Joan-Monster Energy Honda Team +00:14'12
8.HOWES Skyler-Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing +00:15'16
9.SVITKO Stefan-Slovnaft Rally Team +00:20'42
10.BENAVIDES Kevin-Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team +00:25'12
Monster Energy Honda Team