“I've been trying to win this race for a long time”

Everyone remembers the breathtaking end to the last Dakar and the final 164 km special stage during which Pablo Quintanilla pressured Sam Sunderland. Although the Chilean was the fastest at almost every checkpoint, taking nearly seven minutes out of his opponent, it wasn't enough to capture the glory. Second, at three minutes behind the winner after an intelligent and brave race, Pablo could still be satisfied at the finish. He is now ready to race his 11th Dakar. Quintanilla made his debut in the rally in 2013, and from the first stage, he showed his pace and speed to take an impressive third-place result. Unfortunately, a crash later ended his maiden Dakar prematurely. In 2014, his rally came to a premature end again due to a hand injury. The following year, on the other hand, Pablo excelled from start to finish. Fourth at the end of the opening week, he won the difficult Uyuni stage and fought with Toby Price for the podium until the end of the rally. The Chilean moved up a spot in 2016, finishing third and adding another stage win to his name. That year, Pablo and his Husqvarna also won the world title in rally cross-country, and the following season they retained the title. In 2017, while in second place in the general classification, Quintanilla crashed heavily and lost consciousness, resulting in another DNF. Eighth in 2018, he fought with Toby Price until the end for the victory. Despite a crash a hundred kilometres from the finish that left him with a double fractured ankle, the Chilean still finished in fourth place. In 2020, in the first edition in Saudi Arabia, Pablo won two stages and finished second, 16 minutes behind the winner, Ricky Brabec. The 2021 edition, on the other hand, is one he would like to forget. Too many problems forced him to settle for seventh place overall. Quintanilla left Husqvarna four months later to join the Honda team. For his first race with the Japanese brand, the Chilean rider finished third in the Rally of Andalucía. His rapid adaptation to the bike and new team resulted in a victory in the Rally of Morocco. In 2022, after excelling in the Dakar, Pablo Quintanilla finished on the podium in Abu Dhabi despite a fractured vertebra. He then won the Acatama Rally in his native Chile before being injured and forced to retire in Morocco and withdraw from Andalucía. Specific medical care allowed him to get back on the bike at the end of November without any pain or discomfort. Pablo should therefore be 100% for the next Dakar.

P.Q. “The 2022 Dakar was very satisfying in terms of performance. It was also my first Dakar with Honda in a new team. Expectations and motivation were high, and I rode an intelligent race, fighting for victory until the end. Unfortunately, I was injured afterwards, and that interfered with my preparation. I hope my shoulder will be healed for the Dakar because the rally will be even longer this year. The two extra days will count. Everyone wants to win this rally, and obviously, I am no exception. I have been trying to win this race for a long time. I have been close several times, and I am extremely motivated. The intention is to win the race, but we know how difficult the Dakar is. Once again, we have to take it day by day.”