Dakar 2023: Rest day - Bikes: An American dream

Just like the first days of the car race, the rally in the bike category started with two favourites crashing out: firstly, title holder Sam Sunderland on stage 1, then the third day it was the turn of Ricky Brabec, Dakar winner in 2020, whilst leading the general rankings. However, there is no need for the USA to fly its flags at half-mast. The other Californian, 21-year-old Mason Klein, on his first steps in the RallyGP category, picked up the torch the next day to dominate the rally hierarchy with youthful energy before in turn witnessing “Chucky” Sanders take control. The Australian, who is taking part in his third Dakar, led the general rankings for two days before falling ill. The last official rider enrolled by the teams of the Austrian clan, Skyler Howes, took over the summit of the rally for four consecutive days. On the rest day, the American leader may well hide his smile behind his retro moustache worn as a tribute to his grandfather, but there has indeed been a takeover by the emerging generation that has wrung out its opponents in among the rains that have fallen during this first week.

However, when initially taking stock in Riyadh, the rankings that put Skyler Howes ahead of Kevin Benavides and Mason Klein are less revealing than the seconds that separate them on the provisional podium. After more than 30 hours 34 minutes and 16 seconds against the clock, the Husqvarna rider only boasts a lead of 13’’ over the official KTM rider and the BAS World KTM Racing privateer who are literally neck and neck, an unprecedented situation at this point in the race! Toby Price, Pablo Quintanilla and Adrien Van Beveren behind them are less than three minutes from the leader’s position. With the top 6 within three minutes of each other, there promises to be plot twists in the Empty Quarter, this giant sand pit where everyone is waiting to see if the young generation can continue to lead the battle.

In the Rally2 class, a similar scenario to the RallyGP race witnessed an early exit by Alfie Cox and Camille Chapelière after falls from their machines. Rookie Michael Docherty almost did likewise but managed to remain in the race. As a result, two riders have dominated the contest, but not without exploits from the South African, such as his most recent on the latest stage. In Riyadh, however, Romain Dumontier, the runner-up to Mason Klein in the 2022 W2RC season has not made the slightest mistake and dominates the category. Paolo Lucci, the team-mate of Klein et Cox, resisted well enough before having an off day, but the Italian is only 16’25’’ behind. Third position is occupied by another Frenchman, young Jean-Loup Lepan riding for Nomade Racing, who has taken advantage of his consistency to place himself within a little more than an hour of his countryman. In the unassisted bikers’ category, South African Charan Moore, the revelation of the Dakar in 2022 in this category, has taken the lead in the rankings ahead of Spaniard Javi Vega by a slight cushion of 15’26’’. Experienced rider Mario Patrao occupies third place, almost one and a half hours behind. 18 riders are still in the Original by Motul category.

Source: A.S.O. / Dakar Rally
Photo: Gigi Soldano / DPPI