Category: Joaquim Rodrigues

Sam Sunderland Retakes The Dakar 2022 Lead After Stage 11

The British rider tops the standings for the final day of racing as Sam Sunderland retakes the Dakar 2022 lead after Stage 11. Riding for the GASGAS Factory Racing team, the 2017 winner finished the 345km special in second place, just four seconds behind Kevin Benavides. And that has earned Sunderland a gap of six minutes and 52 seconds at the top of the rankings.

Sam Sunderland Retakes The Dakar 2022 Lead After Stage 11Sunderland has a 6 minute and 52 second lead with just one stage left in the 2022 Dakar
Sunderland has a 6 minute and 52 second lead with just one stage left in the 2022 Dakar

Sam Sunderland: “Today was a really tough one. We were expecting it to be difficult and even four kilometers in there were lines everywhere in the sand. From there on I had to focus on myself and stay on top of my roadbook, it wasn’t really an option to follow the lines ahead. Through the dunes I was able to make up some time, which was good and I just missed out on another stage win. Up until now the race has gone really well, the whole team behind me has been fantastic but the race isn’t over until it’s over. All I can do is hope for a clean run through tomorrow’s stage and then we’ll see where we end up.”

Dakar 2022 Stage 11 Results:

  • Kevin Benavides 3:30.56
  • Sam Sunderland 3:31.00
  • Joaquim Rodrigues 3:33.22
  • Matthias Walkner 3:35.50
  • Ricky Brabec 3:36.18

Dakar 2022 Overall Standings After Stage 11

  • Sam Sunderland 37:04.05
  • Pablo Quintanilla 37:10.57
  • Matthias Walkner 37:11.20
  • Adrien Van Beveren 37:19.35
  • Joan Barreda Bort 37:31.59.

David McBride finished Stage 11 in 57th place, with David Mabbs in 101st and Simon Hewitt in 113th.. That means McBride is now 46th overall, with Mabbs in 89th and Hewitt 11th, out of a total of 125 riders still classified overall.

Mirjam Pol has maintained a lead of more than three hours in the Women’s Trophy, Mason Klein continues to lead both the Rally 2 and Rally 2 Junior Trophy, and Arunas Gelazninkas leads the Original by Motul class. In the Veterans Trophy, Mario Patrao has extended his lead over David McBride to almost an hour, but second place is still a battle with Mikael Despontin 14 minutes behind in third.

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Sunderland Holds Onto The 2022 Dakar Lead After Stage 3

A second win for the British rider was always a good possibility, but it’s looking slightly more likely as Sam Sunderland holds onto the 2022 Dakar Lead after Stage 3.

The GasGas Factory rider lost a little time on the fast third stage after a minor issue locating a waypoint, but was ultimately able to recover and finish in 17th. This keeps him just four seconds ahead of Yamaha’s Adrien Van Beveren, with Matthias Walkner in third overall.

Sam Sunderland: “Today was very sandy, and very fast! I had a little bit of difficulty finding a waypoint, which allowed a few riders to catch up with me, so I knew I’d lost a bit of time there. But overall, it wasn’t too bad. We’re in for a really long stage tomorrow so starting further back is a good thing and I’m excited for a long day on the bike.”

Sunderland Holds Onto The 2022 Dakar Lead After Stage 3motorcycle racing and sport, here.

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