YANBU, Saudi Arabia — Edgar Canet picked up his maiden particular on his very first RallyGP outing. In line with the out there information, this makes the 20-year-old Spaniard the youngest winner of a motorcycle stage within the historical past of the Dakar.
The KTM manufacturing unit rider ended up 3 seconds forward of his teammate Daniel Sanders and 5 seconds away from their Honda rival Ricky Brabec. Using one more manufacturing unit machine from the orange workforce, Luciano Benavides claimed fourth place at 11 seconds. KTM, the reigning champions, couldn’t have requested for a greater begin.
The Rally2 prologue noticed Michael Docherty repeat his efficiency from 2023 on the Sea Camp in Yanbu. The South African, sixth general at 19 seconds, took the spoils in his class with 26 seconds to spare over Tobias Ebster and Konrad Dąbrowski. Rookies Preston Campbell (+32″) and Ruy Barbosa (+33″), each astride Hondas, rounded out the highest 5 of their class.
On the flip facet, Neels Theric, sixth in Rally2 final yr, was hit by a mechanical simply 6 km into the race.
Similar to Edgar Canet, the Swede Mattias Ekström received the prologue in his first look within the high class. It was again in 2023, additionally in Yanbu. Three years later, he has began the Dakar with a brand new triumph, the sixth of his profession, now driving a Ford Raptor.
It was a stable begin for the American producer, with Mitch Guthrie second on the 22 km loop to the north of Yanbu, 8 seconds from his brother in arms. Guillaume de Mévius positioned his Mini on the underside step of the rostrum, tied on time with Guthrie.
Nasser Al Attiyah was the speediest former winner of the occasion, fourth at 8 seconds. The defending champion, Yazeed Al Rajhi, was 14 seconds down, with Carlos Sainz at 15 and Nani Roma at 18, however their instances won’t rely towards the standings, in distinction with the motorcycle class.
Henk Lategan claimed final yr’s prologue and went on to complete second general. This time spherical, he suffered a puncture 2 km into the particular. This can don’t have any impression on his whole time. In reality, it may even profit him, because it means he won’t be collaborating within the begin order choice for stage 1 and can subsequently start the following particular behind a few of his rivals.
