All three Aussies – Toby Price, Scott Britnell and Rod Faggotter – made it through today’s navigation intensive second stage of the 2018 Dakar.
Over 90% of today’s riding was off track and through the tough sand dunes around Pisco.
- STAGE 2: Pisco / Pisco
- Liaison > 12 km – Special > 267 km
Despite dropping a further 6 min 40 sec to the leaders in today’s second stage, Toby Price (Red Bull KTM) has managed to move up to 10th overall.
There is still some concern over Toby’s fitness level and whether the injuries from last year are affecting his riding.
To be 9 minutes behind the leaders at this early stage of the rally is not where Toby would want to be, but there’s still a very long way to go and we’ve seen him work his magic and recover in this situation before.
Rookie and privateer Scott Britnell progressed steadily today and now holds down 81st place overall, and is ranked as the 15th highest placed Rookie.
Scott endured a massive 5 hour ride today and then must ready his bike and himself for tomorrow’s third stage, as well as try to get as much rest as possible.
Factory Yamaha rider Rod Faggotter (Yamaha) managed a clean and penalty free run finishing the stage 20 min and 45 sec behind the leader, and has also moved up the overall rankings to 21st.
Joan Barreda Bort (Honda) took the stage win today and the overall lead after a 2 hr 56 min 44 sec run. It’s “Bang Bang’s” 20th overall stage win in the rally, and that has written a new chapter in Dakar history.
Joan Barreda Bort: “There were many navigational pitfalls, but I was able to set a strong pace and gain time on everyone else. That’s quite a few stage wins! I’ve been trying hard and working hard for several years now. The next step is winning the Dakar, but it’s extremely difficult, it takes a lot of time.”
Barreda Bort traded fastest times between the waypoints with Adrien van Beveren (Yamaha) who eventually finished the stage in second, with Matthias Walkner (Red Bull KTM) third.
Yesterday’s leader, Sam Sunderland (KTM), has dropped to 4th overall after finishing today’s stage in 7th.
Top 5 after Stage 2
- 1. Joan Barreda Bort (Honda)
- 2. Adrien van Beveren (Yamaha) – 00:02:30
- 3. Matthias Walkner (Red Bull KTM) – 00:04:50
- 4. Sam Sunderland (Red Bull KTM) – 00:05:04
- 5. Pablo Quintanilla (Husqvarna) – 00:05:44
Australians
- 10. Toby Price (KTM) – 00:09:04
- 21. Rodney Faggotter (Yamaha) – 00:24:24
- 81. Scott Britnell (KTM) – 01:53:57