Toby Price (KTM)twice won the Dakar (2016 and 2019), won the 12.5-kilometer prologue stage, which started at Dakar 2023 by motorcyclewith the daniel sanders (GasGas) in the second position, Ross Branch (Hero) in third and another of the great favorites, the Spanish Joan Barredain fourth position.
On the fast terrain of machine-rolled sand, which forms a tight course where the riders can show their speed, the 35-year-old Australian took first place in this qualifying stage, key to the starting position for Stage 1. In motorcycles, the 15 best in the prologue this Saturday can choose their starting position for the first day this Sunday, starting with a strategic advantage. Price, by winning this special, will have the honor of choosing the latter, who will be able to choose the best place to start stage 1 in search of a good line to follow where there will be time.
Toby Price he achieved a time of 8’22”, just one second better than another one of these great Dakars, a Daniel Sanders who last year before his crash when he fell on a curb in road junction is the most driver in the shape of the race. Daniel wants to make up for this course and he started on the right foot to choose a good starting place, like Ross branch (3rd) and a Joan Barreda that made it very clear in the first kilometers that despite his 39 years, he will do everything from the start in what could be his last Dakar. the one of White Tower (Castellón), with its own structure, the Monster Energy JB Team and the support of Honda, although outside the official structure, can also opt for a good strategic choice for starting a real adventure.
kevin benavides (5th), Rodrigues (6th), will walk (7th), Bühler (8th), docherty (9th) defeated the defending champion sam sunderland (GasGas), who started a little more calmly, with tenth position at 13″. However, it should be taken into account that in the motorcycle prologue stage, the final time is multiplied by 5 for the general classification to avoid riders who wanted to go too slow in the prologue in search of a more delayed start. The Top-15 was completed by the 2020 champion, Ricky Brabec (11th) and the runner-up from the last edition, Pablo Quintanilla (12th). The two teammates at Honda passed Maio (13th), Svitko (14th) and Luciano Bevanides (15th).
For his part, Lorenzo Santolino was 24th, further than desired. The Guijuelo rider finished 25″ behind the day’s best but will have a delayed position in stage 1 that could allow him to close the gap.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
