Dakar Rally – 1st stage

The Dakar 2024 started with a really tough stage, which demanded a lot from the riders with a special stage of 414 km over very selective, but also very rocky terrain, and caused some problems.

The hardest hit was Honda factory rider and co-favorite Tosha Schareina, who had to retire after a crash on the first stage. Ross Branch (Hero), Ricky Brabec (Honda) and Mason Klein (Kove) fared best, taking the first three places on the stage. The best KTM rider was privateer Brad Cox in fourth place. The best Pierer Mobility Group factory riders were Kevin Benavides (KTM) and Daniel Sanders (GAS GAS) in 8th – 9th place, just under 14 minutes behind the leader. Places 14 to 16 were taken by Sam Sunderland (GAS GAS), Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) and Toby Price (KTM), the remaining factory riders of the Pierer Mobility Group, albeit with a gap of almost 23 minutes.

Due to Matthias Walkner’s foot injury, which prevented him from taking part in this year’s Dakar, the best Kini Red Bull rider is unfortunately not taking part.

With rookie Tobias Ebster, however, another Kini Red Bull rider is competing this year. However, Tobias has a tough test to complete on his first Dakar, as he is competing in the Malle Motul class. In this class he is on his own, doesn’t even have a mechanic with him, but has to do everything himself when he reaches the finish of the stage. Although he also had to struggle with problems on the first stage, as he suffered a tire defect about 200 km before the end, he was still able to take the lead in the Malle Motul class, finishing 31st overall and thus making a decent start.

Tomorrow’s second stage will be just as tough with a liaison of 192 km and a special stage of 463 km, with the first 30 km or so leading through a belt of dunes.