In ‘Empty Quarter’ many emotions are expected. One of the largest deserts in the world, still undiscovered, with all kinds of dunes that can reach 300 meters high, is home to this day three stages in which a large part of the title can be decidedand where in a category as even as motorcycles, everyone is going to attack. This Wednesday, the bivouac caravan began its journey through its sand mountains, with a stage of only 114 kilometers, but with 90% soft sand. which served as a good appetizer before the sea of sand that the riders had to face in the marathon stage (11 and 12), without mechanical assistance when they arrived at the special bivouac of stage 11, having to fix their bikes with their own hands. Stage 10 served to whet your appetite before this adventure, but also for one of the favorites, kevin benavidesstrike the first blow at the general. Ross Branch (Hero, Botswana) won the stage, but Benavides led the race on two wheels.
However, the good results of ‘fly hopping’ it can be a toxic success. Kevin may have entered the lion’s den. He is third on the stage and he has to start in front, from that third position this Thursday, in the first stage of the marathon (stage 11), of 274 kilometers of pure sand, very complex, soft, that will show. there are many complications with pilots.
The speed of the race in stage 11 will be low, anyone can get stuck in a dune and lose time, besides being able to give up really complicated navigation due to the lack of reference points in a real sea of dunes that makes it difficult task to follow a particular course. His main rivals, Skyler Howes and Toby Price, will start beyond the 15th position, able to follow tracks and pilot in the sand. They will be able to counterattack while Kevin can suffer. The fight seems exciting, it’s all give and take.
The Argentine from KTM has a privileged starting position. He started 7th and could attack, with Price starting second and Howes, The leader before this special, starting third on the track, with several scores to follow, had to suffer. Ross Branch won, his second win in this 2023 Dakar, with Van Beveren 21 seconds behind, Docherty 30” away and Kevin Benavides 1 minute away. But Kevin’s greatest rivals were soundly defeated. Howes gave up 7’38” and Price 8’16”.
Things kicked off with Howes leading the overall just 3 seconds ahead of Price and 5’09” ahead of Kevin. And the ‘flying salteño’ went to everyone. Now, the general change. Benavides leads the standings after stage 10 with a 1’29 margin over Skyler Howes and 2’10” over Toby Price, while Van Beveren is fourth at 9’52”. followed by his Honda teammate, Pablo Quintanilla, at 14’58” and the American Mason Klein at 15’38”. Everything is still undecided and things can change completely this Thursday, in one of the most difficult stages of the Dakar: the first part of the marathon stage, stage 11, marked in red by everyone. It can be crazy.
Schareina, 15th; Santolin, 16th
Valencian Tosha Schareina continues to make steps forward and after being 4th on stage 9 after penalties, the Spaniard had to defend himself on the fronts of the exit of stage 10 and he did perfectly, giving up 7’18”. So, the one who became the second best ‘rookie’ of the Dakar 2021 and the best private motorcycle of that edition, after missing the Dakar 2022 due to lack of time in his new project together with GAsGas and Aspar, now occupies the 15th position overall.
Just behind him, Lorenzo Santolino from Salamanca finished in 16th position, 7:26 behind the day’s best. The Guijuelo rider is now 11th, 41’55” from the lead, close to the Top-10. He is guarding tenth position, just 2’06” behind Walkner (KTM).
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.
