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4 minutes in the past | Phrases: Andy Wigan | Pictures: GASGAS Bikes
Again in December, when we checked in with Pink Bull GASGAS Manufacturing facility Racings’ Sam Sunderland and Daniel Sanders, it was clear that Sanders’ preparation for the 2023 Dakar Rally fell means wanting excellent. However it wasn’t till after this 12 months’s Dakar that Sanders revealed simply how underprepared he was heading into the gruelling occasion. Right here’s just a few excerpts from feedback made by each Sanders and his crew within the wake of what was a super-courageous seventh place end for the 28-year-old Aussie at this 12 months’s Dakar Rally…
And that’s a wrap from the 2023 Dakar Rally! Signing off on what has been a very wild two weeks of racing with a detailed runner-up end on the 14th and closing stage, Pink Bull GASGAS Manufacturing facility Racing’s Daniel Sanders has introduced his RX450F house safely to safe a gritty seventh place total consequence. Not a nasty efficiency in any respect, particularly when you think about that Sanders underwent at least six operations within the final 12 months following his crash on the 2022 Dakar, in addition to getting fairly rattling sick midway via this 12 months’s occasion. Good work, Daniel, that was a super-solid effort!
Daniel Sanders: “It was going to be troublesome on the ultimate stage to make up any time, however I did what I might and simply missed out on the stage win. Total, I’m tremendous blissful. It’s been an extended highway to get right here. 2023 was a rollercoaster as at all times – beginning the race with no preparation in any respect. Solely 5 days on a brand new rally bike, three days of highway books and two days testing in December is all I needed to prepare for the toughest race on this planet. I went into this Dakar not figuring out what to anticipate; I wasn’t even positive if I used to be even going to be on the beginning line after struggling a lot to experience via the ache in my elbow, which was solely 70% healed. No facial incidents this 12 months, which was good, however we had a 20mm thorn/needle in my arm muscle for 10 days, meals poisoning/abdomen bug for 2 days actually dangerous, not with the ability to eat meals and no vitality. I consider I went into the race 20% ready and everybody round knew how unprepared I used to be. Now I’m trying again on the final 14 days and I significantly don’t understand how I completed each day. I’m pleased with what I’ve completed in my circumstances and I consider I’ve confirmed lots of people who I’m and what I can do after I put my thoughts to it. We survived and conquered the 2023 Dakar and I’m trying ahead to being ready and prepared for battle at subsequent 12 months’s occasion. Thanks to my crew, sponsors, household, buddies and supporters. I couldn’t have completed it with out you all. We by no means gave up,” Sanders went on to say.
So, GASGAS didn’t win this time round, nevertheless it’s been superior to be again out within the desert and to kick off 2023 with some epic racing. Regardless of his illness through the first week and using with a good measurement thorn in his arm for many of the rally, Sanders actually did dig deep to finish the Dakar for the second time. Good work, Chucky!
And that’s all from Dakar 2023 and what a option to begin the 12 months. From the highs of Sanders profitable a stage and main the race for a pair days throughout week one, to Sam Sunderland’s super-frustrating early departure, it’s been an actual rollercoaster.
Because the mud, and dust, settles within the Saudi desert, it received’t truly be too lengthy till Pink Bull GASGAS Manufacturing facility Racing return to motion. Up subsequent, in late February, is the Abu Dhabi Desert Problem, Spherical 2 of the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship.
Norbert Stadlbauer – GASGAS Rally Crew Supervisor: “The 2023 Dakar Rally has been a extremely loopy race for the crew. It was so irritating and disappointing to lose Sam, who was the reigning Dakar champion, on day one. Daniel carried out very properly regardless of lacking most of final season via damage, and in week one he led for a few days and received a stage. Sadly, a short sickness whereas main actually affected his race however he saved on pushing to the top and completed seventh, which is a good consequence contemplating the entire circumstances. I’m actually pleased with the entire crew and we now sit up for the 2023 season.”
PROVISIONAL RESULTS – 2023 DAKAR RALLY, STAGE 14
1. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 1:15:17
2. Daniel Sanders (GASGAS) 1:15:52
3. Toby Worth (KTM) 1:16:12
PROVISIONAL FINAL STANDINGS – 2023 DAKAR RALLY
1. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 44:27:20
2. Toby Worth (KTM) 44:28:03
3. Skyler Howes (Husqvarna) 44:32:24
4. Pablo Quintanilla (Honda) 44:46:22
5. Adrien Van Beveren (Honda) 44:47:50
6. Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) 44:50:02
7. Daniel Sanders (GASGAS) 44:50:17
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