Stage 6 of the Dakar stopped at kilometre 101
Saudi ArabiaToday’s stage was cut short due to poor conditions. Race organisers called a halt to the special stage with 101 kilometres completed, a quarter of the scheduled total.
As had previously been predicted, today’s stage was held amid dismal track conditions, given that the cars, SSVs and trucks had competed over the same route a day earlier. Riders set out well-aware that they would have their work cut out on this tough, physical stage. However, the race organisers quickly realised just how treacherous the route was for most riders: “The deterioration of the track due to the passage of cars and trucks yesterday, combined with recent torrential rains, has made the route impassable,” announced the ASO mid-stage. Furthermore, the organisers’ communiqué stated that “the classification for the sixth stage will be established at kilometre 101”. Therefore, the final stage length was approximately a quarter of the originally scheduled total.
José Ignacio Cornejo and Ricky Brabec found themselves opening the way after the two riders ahead crashed in a dangerous, deeply rutted position after yesterday’s traffic of four-wheelers and trucks. On reaching the refuelling point, the riders were instructed to continue, however, the race direction helicopter subsequently informed them that the special had been shortened to the refuelling point, and from there, competitors were directed back to the bivouac in Riyadh. Pablo Quintanilla, who had been in pursuit, also managed to reach the end of the special at kilometre 101 and later accompanied the other riders to the bivouac.
The shortened stage proved to be a blessing for Joan Barreda, who this morning started still visibly in pain after yesterday’s fall where he injured a collarbone. The Monster Energy Honda Team rider was able to complete today’s partial stage and will be grateful to have reached the rest day. Stage seven gets the rally underway again the following day.
Tomorrow’s stage
There will be no stage tomorrow. After six days of tough racing, the competitors have earned a well-deserved rest day. After arriving at the bivouac today, the riders will have the entire day to relax and prepare both physically and mentally for the second week of competition, set to recommence the day after tomorrow, on Sunday, with the seventh stage: Riyadh-Al Dawadimi.
The organisation decided to stop the stage because of the danger of the terrain. The ruts were very deep and there were many more dangers than there were in the roadbook and the organisation decided to stop the race. I think it was a good decision because it was very dangerous. We will wait to see today's times, to see where the times are taken. Anyway, I have arrived at the rest day, so it’s time to get the energy back and rest well because the second week of the rally will be tough. We have to stay focused and work on the race day by day.
The organisation decided to stop the stage because of the danger of the terrain. The ruts were very deep and there were many more dangers than there were in the roadbook and the organisation decided to stop the race. I think it was a good decision because it was very dangerous. We will wait to see today's times, to see where the times are taken. Anyway, I have arrived at the rest day, so it’s time to get the energy back and rest well because the second week of the rally will be tough. We have to stay focused and work on the race day by day.
This is the day before rest day. It was supposed to be a little over 400 km. The day was strange. The organisation is trying to do different things with different ideas, I understand that, but I don't agree with what they did today, which was yesterday to start where the cars passed yesterday; this is not normal. It’s a big safety issue. We’re holding a lot of fuel. They are big and heavy. It’s dangerous out there. A couple of riders have fallen hard. This shouldn’t be part of the rally. The cars and tyres are getting bigger and they are creating bigger ruts. It’s more dangerous. We made it to the rest day and we’re happy. Then we are going to attack the final seven days of the Dakar.
This is the day before rest day. It was supposed to be a little over 400 km. The day was strange. The organisation is trying to do different things with different ideas, I understand that, but I don't agree with what they did today, which was yesterday to start where the cars passed yesterday; this is not normal. It’s a big safety issue. We’re holding a lot of fuel. They are big and heavy. It’s dangerous out there. A couple of riders have fallen hard. This shouldn’t be part of the rally. The cars and tyres are getting bigger and they are creating bigger ruts. It’s more dangerous. We made it to the rest day and we’re happy. Then we are going to attack the final seven days of the Dakar.
The goal today was to try to continue in the race after yesterday's fall. I was in a lot of pain over the 100 kilometres, especially on the rocky and sandy parts, where I had to brake to overcome the bumps and dangers; I really suffered. We'll see how the injury evolves. The aim is that the injury doesn't get any worse. If it continues like this, I hope to be able to manage the situation and continue in the race. The rally has been complicated since we made the mistake on the first day, because then you try to push to make up time, then in the end I crashed and I was unlucky to break my collarbone. Now we're going to try to reach the finish-line, which is the main objective.
Today I was able to finish the first 100 km, but I don't know if continuing the stage would have been feasible. My shoulder hurt a lot during some movements on the bike. We'll see how it goes in the second week.
The goal today was to try to continue in the race after yesterday's fall. I was in a lot of pain over the 100 kilometres, especially on the rocky and sandy parts, where I had to brake to overcome the bumps and dangers; I really suffered. We'll see how the injury evolves. The aim is that the injury doesn't get any worse. If it continues like this, I hope to be able to manage the situation and continue in the race. The rally has been complicated since we made the mistake on the first day, because then you try to push to make up time, then in the end I crashed and I was unlucky to break my collarbone. Now we're going to try to reach the finish-line, which is the main objective.
Today I was able to finish the first 100 km, but I don't know if continuing the stage would have been feasible. My shoulder hurt a lot during some movements on the bike. We'll see how it goes in the second week.
I'm happy to be back in the bivouac. Today's stage was very dangerous. We're coming to the rest day after an intense first week of racing. We will have to take advantage of the rest day to recover both body and mind and then give it everything for the remaining six days of racing. Today's stage was dangerous and was stopped at the refuelling point. Unfortunately, several riders crashed and were out of the race. It could have happened to anyone because it was very dangerous after the cars and trucks passed yesterday. I'm happy to be here in one piece, with no injuries. Let's get ready for the rest of the Dakar.
I'm happy to be back in the bivouac. Today's stage was very dangerous. We're coming to the rest day after an intense first week of racing. We will have to take advantage of the rest day to recover both body and mind and then give it everything for the remaining six days of racing. Today's stage was dangerous and was stopped at the refuelling point. Unfortunately, several riders crashed and were out of the race. It could have happened to anyone because it was very dangerous after the cars and trucks passed yesterday. I'm happy to be here in one piece, with no injuries. Let's get ready for the rest of the Dakar.
Stage Result
| Pos. | Num. | Rider | Team | Time | Gap | Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | Daniel Sanders | Gas Gas Factory Team | 00:51'43 | - | - |
| 2 | 3 | Sam Sunderland | Gas Gas Factory Team | 00:54'09 | +00:02'26 | - |
| 3 | 52 | Matthias Walkner | Red Bull KTM Factory Team | 00:54'19 | +00:02'36 | - |
| 4 | 7 | Pablo Quintanilla | Monster Energy Honda Team | 00:54'58 | +00:03'15 | - |
| 5 | 2 | Ricky Brabec | Monster Energy Honda Team | 00:55'02 | +00:03'19 | - |
| 6 | 43 | Mason Klein | BAS DAKAR KTM RACING TEAM | 00:55'16 | +00:03'33 | - |
| 14 | 88 | Joan Barreda | Monster Energy Honda Team | 00:57'10 | +00:05'27 | - |
| 22 | 11 | Jose Ignacio Cornejo | Monster Energy Honda Team | 00:58'59 | +00:07'16 | - |
Overall Result
| Pos. | Num. | Rider | Team | Time | Gap | Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | Sam Sunderland | Gas Gas Factory Team | 19:55'59 | - | - |
| 2 | 52 | Matthias Walkner | Red Bull KTM Factory Team | 19:58'38 | +00:02'39 | - |
| 3 | 4 | Daniel Sanders | Gas Gas Factory Team | 20:01'34 | +00:05'35 | - |
| 4 | 42 | Adrien Van Beveren | MONSTER ENERGY YAMAHA RALLY TEAM | 20:03'42 | +00:07'43 | - |
| 5 | 7 | Pablo Quintanilla | Monster Energy Honda Team | 20:11'42 | +00:15'43 | - |
| 6 | 15 | Lorenzo Santolino | SHERCO TVS RALLY FACTORY | 20:14'21 | +00:18'22 | - |
| 9 | 88 | Joan Barreda | Monster Energy Honda Team | 20:21'58 | +00:25'59 | 00:01'00 |
| 13 | 11 | Jose Ignacio Cornejo | Monster Energy Honda Team | 20:42'53 | +00:46'54 | - |
| 15 | 2 | Ricky Brabec | Monster Energy Honda Team | 20:45'19 | +00:49'20 | 00:02'00 |
