Desafio Ruta 40, Stage 3 – Quintero at 110%, Al-Attiyah closes in on Al-Rajhi

American Seth Quintero won the 3rd stage of the Desafio Ruta 40 in Argentina. The positions are tightening at the top of the competition two days from the end.

Desafio Ruta 40 classification, Stage 3:

General classification Desafio Ruta 40:

• The third stage of the Desafio Ruta 40 (Argentina, 4th round of the world championship of rally-raid W2RC) was fought this Wednesday around San Juan. The organizers had announced the start of major hostilities after two “rally” style days and they did not lie!

What an epic ride the @desafioruta40ok has been 🚀👊 More action, more terrains, more adrenaline tomorrow on stage 4! # W2RC #FIA #FIM pic.twitter.com/6MDvNTEyLp

- World Rally-Raid Championship @ 🏍 (@ OfficialW2RC) June 5, 2024

• In this desert universe, Seth Quintero (Toyota) showed his burst of speed. The young American achieved the best time, and thus signs his second career scratch time in the premier category. This performance had little impact on the general classification because he lost half an hour following a failed overtaking attempt on the first day.
• “I woke up this morning feeling extremely confident, I don't know why, said Seth Quintero. It's a good way to make up for the stage the day before where I was slowed down by the dust of a competitor in front of me, which made me lose a potential special victory. I gave 110%! “ 
• In the overall race, Yazeed Al-Rajhi (Toyota Overdrive) remains leader but lost almost a minute to his direct pursuer, Nasser Al-Attiyah (Prodrive). The Qatari is 2'21" behind the Saudi driver. Lucas Moraes (Toyota), winner the day before, lost a little ground (+9 minutes).
• On Thursday, a huge stretch of 412 km will be faced between San Juan and La Rioja. “The special will begin by entering directly into the only dunes of this edition, explains Pablo Eli, race director. It will involve following a track in the middle of the dunes, it will not be off-piste, but with changes in terrain. Chott, dune uphill, downhill, stones, a beautiful river passage with sand, and dunes again. The exit will be through a large hill, with a lot of navigation because there are quite a few tracks everywhere to follow in CAP. A transfer of 110 km of tarmac then cuts the clock, which resumes on a typical track WRC, very technical. The stage is varied, but unlike the day before, the changes come in blocks and are well marked. »