By completing the penultimate stage at Dakar 2024 as the eighth-fastest rider, Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Daniel Sanders has successfully moved one day closer to the event’s finish line. Despite feeling the toll of 11 tough days in the desert, the Aussie racer has put together a courageous effort day-by-day and remains eighth overall with just one timed special to go.
One day on from almost winning stage 10, Chucky delivered another respectable ride through the timed special on day 11 at the Dakar. Even though he was one of the leading riders out there after placing fourth yesterday, Daniel’s speed early on ensured he picked up another top-10 stage finish to all but secure eighth in this year’s event. Now, just one 175-kilometer special separates Sanders from finishing his third Dakar from four starts.
Daniel Sanders: "The whole body is really sore now after 11 gnarly days on the bike. Towards the end of today it was pretty tough as it was rocky and I made a few mistakes with my navigation, but I made it to the end and we’re all good for the last day tomorrow. Coming into this year with only two weeks on the bike wasn’t really the best preparation but I know my speed is good, it’s just my fitness that’s holding me back a little. Tomorrow I’ll be starting a little further back, so I’ll definitely be going for it on the final day.”
Provisional Results: Dakar Rally 2024, stage 11
1. Ross Branch (Hero) 4:51:57
2. Ricky Brabec (Honda) 4:52:29
3. Adrien Van Beveren (Honda) 4:55:14
8. Daniel Sanders (GASGAS) 5:04:20
Overall Provisional Classification (after stage 11)
1. Ricky Brabec (Honda) 49:37:57
2. Ross Branch (Hero) 49:48:19
3. Adrien Van Beveren (Honda) 49:52:28
8. Daniel Sanders (GASGAS) 50:50:22