When the going gets tough, the tough get going! Stage five of the 2022 Dakar Rally was anything but easy, featuring a proper mix of terrain that challenged both Sam Sunderland and Daniel Sanders.
Doing what they do, the GASGAS Factory Racing duo safely reached the end of the special to maintain their strong positions in the provisional overall classification.
With five long and physically demanding stages now complete, Sam keeps his place at the top of the leaderboard thanks to a 12th place finish Today, while Daniel completed the particular one spot behind in 13th to remain fourth in the general ranking.
- Sam and Daniel dig deep on demanding the fifth stage
- Both riders hold strong positions in the overall classification
- One location to go before the Dakar Rally rest day
Daniel
Daniel Sanders: “Today started well, and I was able to make up much time before the fuel stop. Then at kilometre 270, I ended up passing the same waypoint twice, so I’m not sure if that was my mistake or not. After it happened, I knew that I had to push on to the end. Unfortunately, and fortunately, I crashed, and my shoulder popped out, but luckily it went back in by itself, and I was able to continue to the finish. It was a crazy day, and I’m glad to have reached the finish line.”
After his heavy fall yesterday, Sam Sunderland knew that he was in for a tough day of racing Today. But knowing he needed to deliver a solid result to maintain his lead in the rally, the experienced Brit managed to ignore the neck and shoulder pain he was experiencing to complete the fifth stage as the 12th fastest rider bravely. Now, with just one step to go before the event’s much-needed rest day, Sam retains his place at the top of the overall timesheets.
Sam
Sam Sunderland: “I knew I was in for a tough day after my crash yesterday, so it was a case of survival mode for me Today. It was difficult for sure, but as the stage went on, I felt better and better and had a nice, strong pace through the sand near the end. Besides my crash the race is going well so far. I felt better and better ding, which is great, is some tricky navigation at times, so it’s important to really focus on the roadbook and keep mistakes to a minimum.”
Results (provisional): Dakar Rally 2022, stage 5
- 1. Danilo Petrucci (KTM) 3:23:46
- 2. Ross Branch (Yamaha) 3:23:48
- 3. Jose Ignacio Cornejo (Honda) 3:23:51
- 12. Sam Sunderland (GASGAS) 3:31:49
- 13. Daniel Sanders (GASGAS) 3:32:43
Overall Provisional Classification (after stage 5)
- 1. Sam Sunderland (GASGAS) 19:01:50
- 2. Matthias Walkner (KTM) 19:04:19
- 3. Adrien Van Beveren (Yamaha) 19:07:49
- 4. Daniel Sanders (GASGAS) 19:09:51
via GASGAS
