Sanders retains outright lead regardless of troublesome Stage 4

2023 Dakar Rally – Stage 4
Ha’Il – Ha’Il

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Riders left Ha’il for the 574 km Dakar Stage 4 with Daniel Sanders within the lead. Wednesday included a 425 km timed particular that kicked off with 100 km of dunes, earlier than creating right into a maze of sandy tracks again to the bivouac, with navigation remaining key.

Toby Worth put in one other constant effort to say fourth for the day, guaranteeing the Aussie will get pleasure from a robust begin place for Thursday’s stage 5, the place he’ll intention to push on the tender dunes to make up time on his rivals.

Toby Worth – P4

“All in all I had a superb day, simply preserving it on two wheels and finishing every day. The part of dunes in the beginning of the stage in the present day was fairly powerful to trip by way of, after all of the rain the sand sucks you in much more and that makes issues much more bodily and makes the gas consumption go up slightly, too. At this level within the race my physique is feeling good, the bike is feeling actually good, so yeah, I’m comfortable. I’m comfortable as Larry!”

It was a difficult however good day for Daniel Sanders, regardless of slightly detour that noticed him finish the day in eighth, 6-minutes off the stage lead, nonetheless that wasn’t sufficient to topple ‘Chucky’ from the general lead.

Daniel Sanders – P8 (General Lead)

“Yeah, in the present day was fairly difficult however I loved it. It’s been fairly a while since I led out on a stage and navigating by way of a stage first is fairly exhausting for anybody. I did get misplaced at one level however stayed calm, figured issues out, and bought again on track fairly shortly. General, I used to be proud of in the present day. I didn’t lose an excessive amount of time and I’m nonetheless main, so I’m pumped with how the rally is shaping up for me. Now it’s onto tomorrow and a full day within the dunes. I can’t wait!”

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Joan Barreda of the Honda mounted Monster Vitality Joan Barreda Staff took the Stage 4 win within the provisional outcomes, 16s away from Monster Vitality Honda Staff rider Pablo Quintanilla, with Skyler Howes third, simply over a minute quicker than Toby Worth in fourth.

Pablo Quintanilla – P2

“This was a superb day for me, one other tremendous powerful stage however lastly I’ve discovered my rhythm and I’m fairly comfortable about that. It’s nice additionally to be lastly racing within the open desert, the sort of terrain I get pleasure from finest. There’s nonetheless an extended option to go however I really feel robust and motivated to maintain going and battle for the lead.”

Skyler Howes – P3

“That one was powerful. I caught as much as Sanders round kilometre 100, and Mason (Klein) caught up as effectively, so the three of us had been combating on the entrance to open the stage. It was a super-fun day within the morning – the dunes had been actually moist, however then softer on the highest, and I really went over the bars a few instances, which isn’t nice. I led into the refuelling after which after that I had a very huge crash in a piece of rocks. We had been looking out to search out the proper manner and I should have simply clipped one and it despatched me sideways. Fortunately Sanders was shut by and helped me up. After that I discovered it exhausting to search out my rhythm for a superb whereas, I used to be driving like a zombie. However then in direction of the top I discovered my focus and was in a position to navigate effectively to the end. I would like slightly relaxation now, however I’m proud of how issues are going total.”

Adrien Van Beveren was fifth, forward of Luciano Benavides and Kevin Benavides, with Sanders eighth, adopted by Jose Cornejo and Lorenzo Santolino. Outdoors the top-10 was Mason Klein and Matthias Walkner.

Adrien Van Beveren – P5

“This was a wonderful stage, with nice terrain. Everybody is aware of I really like the sand tracks so I had lots of pleasure driving alongside this present day. The navigation is at all times omnipresent and I made my manner nearly on a regular basis alone. I’m additionally very proud of the efficiency of my Honda CRF 450 Rally and all of the technical assist we’re having to make it even higher.”

Luciano Benavides – P6

“Day 4 within the books, but it surely feels extra like day 10! No, I’m tremendous comfortable to complete one other stage in a single piece with no crashes and no huge errors. It was a loopy stage once more with lots of quick, off-piste sections. The highest 10 guys are pushing like hell daily, so it’s worthwhile to do the identical in the event you’re going to stay within the race. I feel I did a superb job, my tempo is nice, my outcomes are enhancing day-by-day, and I’m feeling wholesome and robust. I’m trying ahead to tomorrow.”

Kevin Benavides – P7

“At the moment was one other lengthy stage. I felt actually good on the market, and my feeling with the bike is superb in the meanwhile, it appears to carry out effectively in all situations. It was so bodily in the present day although with lots of camel grass and dunes. I attempted to do my finest and didn’t make any huge errors. In direction of the top I used to be driving with Joan Barreda, and we made up a while by pushing one another over the ultimate part of the stage. I’m actually proud of my driving, proud of the place I’m within the standings, I simply want to remain targeted and sustain this tempo.”

José Ignacio Cornejo – P9

“This was one other exhausting day. I used to be going effectively however then at round kilometre 90 I needed to cease and assist Portuguese rider Joaquim Rodrigues. He had a extreme crash and I needed to name medical assist. After this it took me some time to get again on observe and discover my rhythm again, however I’m glad I did it anyway – that’s a part of the solidary Dakar spirit.”

Matthias Walkner – P12

“It’s been one other actually exhausting stage in the present day. I’ve lots of ache in my wrist and I’m at my absolute restrict proper now. As quickly as I set off this morning, I knew it will be a troublesome day, however I fought my manner by way of it. I’ll carry on making an attempt to do my finest and see how I really feel every day.”

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Rally GP Rankings after Dakar Stage 4

Daniel Sanders retains his Dakar Rally 2023 lead after Stage 4, 3m33s away from Skyler Howes, with Kevin Benavides third. Barreda is fourth, Toby Worth fifth 7m17s off Sanders within the lead, whereas Mason Klein, Pablo Quintanilla, Adrien Van Beveren, Luciano Benavides and Matthias Walker spherical out the highest 10.

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Stage 4 Highlights Video

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Stage 5 Route

Stage 5 of this 12 months’s Dakar Rally will as soon as once more begin and end on the Ha’il bivouac. This particular stage may have 374 kilometres and an extended liaison of 275 km. On this second loop across the Saudi capital of off street racing, a subject of small dunes with camel grass will give option to huge expanses peppered with dunes.

So dune leaping will likely be key and can spell the distinction between gaining and shedding minutes on this slalom-type sector. On this terrain, mastering tender sand with out shedding time is definitely a purpose extra on the hand of actual consultants.

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2023 Dakar Rally Stage 4 Provisional Outcomes

2023 Dakar Rally General After Stage 4 (Provisional)

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2023 Dakar Rally Schedule

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