The motorcycle category of this Dakar 2023 is crazy. After 13 stages, almost 5,000 kilometers of special later, the 45th edition of the toughest race in the world will be decided in the last section, at the finish line of stage 14 this Sunday, which is 136 only kilometers. As if it were a circuit competition, Dakar 2023 will live on in a ‘photo finish’ after Kevin Benavides passed Skyler Howes on the right and came close to a great stage victory to lead his teammate Toby’s race Price of KTM. They are only 12 seconds away from the final day! He went from third place where he started the day, 2’40” behind Price, to within 12 seconds, with Skyler Howes at 1’31”.
With a final stage on Sunday where in theory the winner must walk across the finish line, the frenzy will be huge. Three pilots with options to win, and especially, a fratricidal battle between the two KTM. Undoubtedly, the finish of the 2023 Dakar could be the tightest in the modern history of the rally. Last year, he won sunderlands for the advantage of 3’27 over Paul Quintanilla. In 1999, Richard Saint he took it 4’09” against Magnaldior in 2021, to him Kevin he won his only ‘touareg’ by 4’56” over Brabec. Now, the match is only 12 seconds away. Amazing.
In principle, kevin benavides the stage ended giving about 23 minutes to the stage stopped to help his KTM teammate Mattias Walkner at kilometer 55 of the special. Because of that, the organization ensured that it would return by 23’10”, something that was later applied to the official time table. Returning that time, he put himself just 12 seconds behind the Australian, Dakar champion of 2016 and 2019.
It only confirmed what Joan Barreda said in the first week of rally, where he emphasized that the current pilots compete at full throttle, without managing, attacking at the maximum and at a devilish speed. He warned her Dakar it is no longer marked by mistakes made. It’s about being the fastest, the one who can hold the throttle the longest, and at the same time, the one who makes the fewest mistakes. There are so many riders that go to the maximum, that it is clear to me that no matter how many crash one or two, another three or four will remain in the final fight that has reached the maximum from the start. And that speed is reflected in the little difference that exists overall.
Hardness is also lacking in the second part of the race, especially in a ‘Empty Quarter’ it was announced with great fanfare as a great horror movie, and in the end it was a comedy for everyone. It is simple and undifferentiated. After going through that big desert, things came to a head in the 14th lap with Price leading by 28 seconds before the Skyler Howes and 2’40 with respect to Benavides. Everyone expected it hello will answer to Tobywho led him the other day. Benavides He seemed to struggle more at 2’44” and had to attack and take risks. And the 2021 Dakar champion went all out.
The final battle between the two KTMs and Howes’ Husqvarna (mark owned by KTM), unless there are team orders, is tighter than ever.
Santolin is the 9th
lorenzo santolino He continued to believe that getting into the Top-10 overall was possible in the last few days, cutting time compared to his direct rivals for that position, and in the penultimate stage of the Dakar he placed 9th in general. The man from Salamanca finished 10’34” behind the stage winner and 9th overall due to the withdrawals of Mason Klein and Matthias Walkner.
Tosha Schareina He finished in the top 10 of the special 13, in ninth position at 4′ 06″ and moved up to 13th overall.
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.
