The initially planned 404-kilometre special on today’s stage six was set to see the bike class competitors. Repeat the route used by the cars and trucks yesterday.
With the terrain heavily cut up by the passing of the previous day’s vehicles.The organizers decided to cut the stage short on safety grounds and take the day’s results from the first refuelling point. At just over the 100-kilometre mark.
Matthias Walkner came into today’s stage knowing that the rough terrain would pose a considerable challenge. To all riders and the chance of some unexpected dangers was very high.
As such, the experienced Austrian took extra care on the heavily rutted ground and aimed for a safe finish to the stage.
Despite his caution, Walkner was third fastest to the refuelling point at kilometre 100.Eventually stopping the scene. Matthias sits second overall at the close of the first week of racing.Trailing the current rally leader by under three minutes.
Matthias
Matthias Walkner: “Obviously, it was a short day today, and the tracks were rough. You had to focus a lot and take care – it was also very physical with the ground being cut up so badly.
And i am a little disappointed that they let us race the stage only to cancel it at 100 kilometres. But I suppose it was the same for everyone.
Thankfully it all went ok. And I reached the finish safely. We have a rest day tomorrow that I’m really looking forward to, so I’ll try and recharge my batteries and then attack once again next week for the final six stages.”
As the fifth rider to enter the stage, Toby Price soon realized that they needed extra care to avoid a crash. Despite a couple of close calls. The two-time Dakar champion safely arrived in eighth place at the end of the special.
Lying 12th in the provisional overall standings, Toby trails the leader by just under 40 mins. However, with the most challenging. Most technical six days of the event left to race, the Australian star is confident closing that deficit.
Toby
Toby Price: “It was quite a short stage today. The cars and trucks had all passed through yesterday, so we were on their stage today.
I think we all went into the stage with a bit of a feeling that it wasn’t going to work.And yeah, worse listed a lot of the dangers on the roadbook, and there were a few extra hazards out there too.
And I think they made the right call to stop it at 100 kilometres – Had a couple of scary moments myself out there. I’m happy to reach the rest day safely.Not the pretty overall position I would have liked.But there’s still a long way to go. So I’ll give my all and see what I can do next week.”
Similarly to his teammates, Kevin Benavides took a measured approach to today’s stage. Ultimately completing the 100 kilometres in 15th place, less than six minutes down on the eventual winner. The reigning Dakar Champion still sits inside the top 10 overall going into week two.
And with the expected rougher terrain and more technical navigation suiting the Argentinian’s strengths.He’s looking forward to delivering a solid ride on the final six days in Saudi.
Kevin
Kevin Benavides: “I started well today but then came across Ross Branch who had had a crash early on. So I thought maybe it would be a good idea to ease off a little. We arrived at the refuelling and after that I tried my best to push. But then they stopped the stage early and took the results from 100 kilometres.
It was the right decision as the tracks were really rough and quite dangerous for us. Finishing 15th today gives me a good position to start the second week, so I’m happy.”
Following his impressive stage win on day six – the first-ever for a former MotoGP rider .Tech3 KTM Factory Racing’s Danilo Petrucci was given the unenviable task of opening today’s heavily damaged special.
The likeable Italian did an excellent job.Even after a crash in the opening a few kilometres resulted in a few cuts and bruises.
Arriving at the finish in 40th place, just under 13 minutes down. Danilo was pleased with how he had handled the all-new experience and now looks forward to a well-earned day off the bike.
Danilo Petrucci: “Today was the first time in my career that I have opened a stage.And I think it was on one of the toughest stages of this year’s rally because it was used for the cars and trucks yesterday.
The team did a good job of warning me about the dangers, but I was still surprised to find a big step in the middle of the track. I had quite a heavy crash.
And the rider behind me crashed too, but luckily.I continued. I think they made the right decision, and now I’m looking forward to having one day of rest before continuing on Sunday.”
Provisional Results Stage Six (overall) – 2022 Dakar Rally
- 1. Daniel Sanders (AUS), GASGAS, 51:43
- 2. Sam Sunderland (GBR), GASGAS, 54:09 +2:26
- 3. Matthias Walkner (AUT), KTM, 54:19 +2:36
- 4. Pablo Quintanilla (CHI), Honda, 54:58 +3:15
- 5. Ricky Brabec (USA), Honda, 55:02 +3:19
Other KTM
- 9. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 55:59 +4:16
- 15. Kevin Benavides (ARG), KTM, 57:14 +5:31
- 40. Danilo Petrucci (ITA), KTM, 1:04:27 +12:44
Standings – 2022 Dakar Rally after 6 of 12 stages
- 1. Sam Sunderland (GBR), GASGAS, 19:55:59
- 2. Matthias Walkner (AUT), KTM, 19:58:38 +2:39
- 3. Daniel Sanders (AUS), GASGAS, 20:01:34 +5:35
- 4. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA), Yamaha, 20:03:42 +7:43
- 5. Pablo Quintanilla (CHI), Honda, 20:13:43 +17:44
KTM
- 8. Kevin Benavides (ARG), KTM, 20:20:55 +24:56
- 12. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 20:35:08 +39:09
via KTM
