From a news release issued by Dakar.com:
After 2,559 kilometres of specials covered by the bikes and 2,579 by the cars and trucks, 299 vehicles have reached the rest day in Ha’il in the heart of Saudi Arabia. 118 bikes (including 100 Rally 2), 58 Ultimate cars, 2 Stock, 45 Challenger cars, 33 SSV and 43 trucks will resume racing on Saturday for the seven stages remaining before the final finishing line in Shubaytah, in the Empty Quarter. 81 vehicles have been able to use a joker to remain in the race, while 36 have been forced into premature exits (i.e., 10.75%).
At the midway point, the rankings are dominated by Daniel Sanders in the Rally GP class; Edgar Canet in the Rally 2 class; Henk Lategan in the Ultimate class; Nicolas Cavigliasso in the Challenger class; Brock Heger in the SSV category; and Martin Macik in the truck race, all of whom are under the age of 36 years. The rejuvenation of the discipline is underlined by the records for youthful promise beaten by Seth Quintero and then Saood Variawa, respectively aged 22 and 19 years and both stage winners, as well as the early departures from the rally by Carlos Sainz and Sébastien Loeb.
Daniel Sanders put himself in a favourable situation from the outset. Thanks to victory on the prologue, the Australian started behind his rivals for stage 1, which he won, enabling him to achieve the same feat the next day, taking advantage of the reverse order start for the 48 HR Chrono stage. ‘Chucky’ also limited the damage when opening the way, on stages 3 and 5. This strategic approach put him in the lead in the general rankings from the very first day of the rally.
Honda is leading the resistance with 4 riders in the top 6, including Tosha Schareina (in 2nd place, 15’02’’ behind), Adrien Van Beveren (3rd, 24’31’’ back), Skyler Howes (5th, 27’59’’ down) and Ricky Brabec (6th, 29’01’’ behind). Hero rider Ross Branch (4th, 25’48’’ behind) is also keeping the pace. Luciano Benavides on his KTM completes a top 7 all within a 32’15’’ time bracket.
Edgar Canet could hardly have dreamed of a better debut. The youngest official rider in history (at the age of 19 years) won half of the Rally 2 specials on offer and leads the rankings in addition to occupying 10th place in the overall bike category. The Spaniard boasts a lead of 16’39’’ over his Austrian rival, Tobias Ebster. Michael Docherty (31’07’’ behind) completes a 100% KTM provisional podium ahead of the Hondas ridden by Romain Dumontier (49’47’’ back) and Jacob Arbugright (51’34’’ down).
KTM has left its mark on the first half of the competition, winning 5 specials out of 6 in the Rally GP class (4 for Sanders and one for L. Benavides) and 6 out of 6 in the Rally 2 class (3 for Canet, 2 for Ebster and one for Docherty). Sherco (avec Lorenzo Santolino) and Honda (with AVB) have taken the other two victories. After being dethroned in both classes last year, the Austrian firm is in the process of setting the record straight.
Emanuel Gyenes and Benjamin Melot, both specialists in the unassisted bikers’ race, finished first and second in 2020. Five years later, the duel has recommenced. Both men have dominated the Original by Motul class, with the advantage for the Romanian by 13’16’’ ahead of the Frenchman. The last step on the provisional podium is also hotly contested, between Jérôme Martiny (58’03’’ behind the current leader), Jaromir Romancik (1:03’29’’ back) and Mike Wiedemann (1:04’28’’ down), who are all within a 6-minute bracket.
The young brands that have recently arrived on the Dakar are performing well while obtaining experience. Chinese manufacturer Kove is in the Top 20 for the first time in its history with Neels Theric, who is 18th overall and 6th in the Rally 2 class. Italian brand Fantic is battling to achieve its first top 30 finish with Jeremy Miroir (in 28th place), while the three Hoto bikes, also from China, which are making their debut this year, are all still in the race, in the top 50.
