Monster Energy Honda Team, on form with victories in Chile, Argentina and Peru

The victory of Paulo Gonçalves last weekend in the Desafío Inca, has once again displayed the potential of the Monster Energy Honda Team, with the team having triumphed in each of the three rallies disputed this month in South America.

 It was the third of a hat-trick of wins as Monster Energy Honda Team once again did battle in the South American winter. The lastest in the string of successes took place last weekend at the Desafío Inca in the midst of the Peruvian desert – the location for the forthcoming 2019 Dakar. These achievements add to the earlier wins in Atacama Rally in Chile, the Desafío Ruta 40 in Argentina, plus the Merzouga Rally held in April in Morocco.

After winning the Ruta 40, Paulo Gonçalves went on to claim top honours on an epic final day in the dunes of Ica, where the Portuguese Monster Energy Honda Team rider staged a comeback, relying on solid team-work and particularly the help from brother-in-arms Kevin Benavides. The Argentine had clinched the second stage and played a key role in facilitating Paulo’s final attack.

José Ignacio Cornejo finished just shy of the podium, one of the original aims for the Chilean, who kept a swift pace throughout the event in the Peruvian arena. Meanwhile, Ricky Brabec continued to advance, turning out good partial results despite making a minor mistake that cost the American the chance of finishing amongst the top guns.

The team, with the same four riders who participated in Peru, are all set for the next race, the final date of the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship, held in Morocco from October 3rd to 9th.