Stage 2 in Barreda and Loeb, Sunderland leader in motorcycles
There Stage 2 introduces some news in the queen categories of the Dakar, especially in the motorcycle sector. There is the first ring of Joan Barreda – as usual in the attack regime and in the lead right from the start – and with it the change at the top: down Daniel Sanders, who after the brace is the protagonist of an empty pass, and up Sam Sunderland, 2nd of the day at 5 ’33 ”from the Spaniard and now leaders with 2 ’51 “on Van Beveren and 3′ 29” on Sanders.
In general, the 339 km from Ha’Il to Al Artawiyya – transformed from the first part of Marathon to a normal stage due to rain – have overturned the commands of the first two days: those who had performed well so far have struggled and vice versa. Bang Bang Barreda, as mentioned, controlled the race from start to finish, halving the accumulated gaps – which remain important – and entering the top 10. Well, surprisingly, even the new leader of the Sunderland classification, disappeared from the radar at km 80 and suddenly materialized at the finish line with the best time, before the arrival of the Spaniard. And again the reigning champion Kevin Benavides, third at 5 ’54 ”and now just below Barreda, in general. On the other hand, badly Van Beveren, who still maintains second place in the standings, badly Sanders, who lost 25 ‘as a forerunner, and badly the former n ° 2 Quintanilla, who slipped 12’ 30 ”from the first position. Bad day also for the former MotoGP Danilo Petrucci, who retired for technical problems on his KTM: the new Dakar regulation allows him to continue, the heavy penalty received, however, cuts him out of the high-ranking speeches.
In cars, on the other hand, there is the first success of Sebastien Loeb, grown at a distance, dominant in the final phase and finally winning. Sainz third closes at 5 ’52 ”, while Al Attiyah, who had an advantage of 12 ‘at the start of the test, limits himself to administering and is 2nd at 3’ 28 ”. The Qatari still remains first of the general with 9 ’16 ”on Loeb, thanks to the advantage accumulated with the brace in the first two outings. Behind them the void: the others in the upper area have all collapsed, so much so that the third, Alvarez, is now at 40 ’53 ”.