Pablo Quintanilla has ridden to victory on stage nine of the 2020 Dakar Rally. The Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider put in an excellent performance on the 410-kilometre stage to slowly build his pace from the start, going on to claim the win by close to two minutes at the finish. Teammate Andrew Short also rode solidly on the predominantly rocky special to finish ninth.
Stage eight of the Dakar Rally was cancelled for all riders in the motorcycle class out of respect for Paulo Goncalves who lost his life on Sunday. Competitors returned to racing today with the long, 886-kilometre stage nine that led the field from Wadi Al Dawasir to Haradh. Initially faced with an arduous liaison, riders then entered the timed special that presented all with a challenging route made up of rocky tracks and stony riverbeds.