© REUTERS
Joan Barreda Bort (Honda) has won the fourth stage in the Dakar for motorcyclists. The 39-year-old Spaniard was 16 seconds faster than the Chilean Pablo Quintanilla (Honda). American Skyler Howes (Husqvarna) finished third at 1’05. Australian Daniel Sanders (GasGas) finished eighth at 4’07 and remains the leader.
Bron: BELGIAN
Portugal’s Joaquim Rodriques (Hero), 16th in the standings after three stages, crashed and was taken to hospital in Ha’il with an injury to his left leg. His Dakar is over. Last year he gave constructor Hero the first ever stage victory in a Dakar, finishing fourteenth. Mason Klein (KTM) also had bad luck. After 95 kilometers, the American reached out for a second stage victory, but after 380 kilometers he had to retire with a technical problem. He lost about ten minutes. Pablo Quintanilla took over the lead. The Chilean went full for a win, but eventually had to let Barreda Bort take the lead.
Like Tuesday, bonuses were handed out for the first three riders to open the course. After 211 kilometres, Klein collected a 2’39” bonus that can be deducted from his final time. Howes may charge 3’35”. Sanders is 3’58” too good.
In the standings, Sanders has a 5’33” lead over Howes. The Argentinian Kevin Benavides (KTM), seventh in the stage, is third at 6’05”. Klein dropped to sixth after his technical problem and is now 12’05” behind Sanders.
Jérome Martiny (Husqvarna) is still on the road. At the penultimate waypoint, the Belgian passed as 33rd.