WORLD NEWS
Dakar 2021
From Daniel Sanders ’ crash in the dunes leaving him with a injured lip and earning him the nickname “ Chucky ” to a Dakar helicopter colliding with Anton Shibalov ’ s truck , every Dakar rally presents new challenges .
History was made on several fronts at this year ’ s Dakar . In argueably the most difficult race in the world , Monster Energy Honda Team took a one-two finish with the # 47 of Kevin Benavides not only coming in first place , but also becoming the first South American rider to earn the win . The red # 1 plate of Ricky Brabec came in a close second place just less than five minutes behind his teammate . This also marks the first time the team has taken a one-two finish since 1987 .
Skyler Howes , a privateer from the United States , sold everything he owned ( including his dirt bikes ) to fund his participation in the race , even renting a KTM 450 Dakar Rally bike , and made an outstanding fifthplace finish , only 52 minutes behind Benavides . This was a four-place improvement over his finish in the 2020 Dakar where he took ninth place .
The Sherco Factory team also made history , being the only manufacturer to have taken all its machines that were entered all the way to the finish . Riding the Sherco 450 SEF Rally bike , Lorenzo Santolino also gave Sherco their best finish to date , finishing in sixth place , just shy of one hour behind the lead . Rui Goncalves took a 19th place finish with Harith Noah just behind in 20th place .
1st : Kevin Benavides ( HON ) 2nd : Ricky Brabec ( HON ) 3rd : Sam Sunderland ( KTM ) 4th : Daniel Sanders ( KTM ) 5th : Skyler Howes ( KTM )
GasGas Factory rider Laia Sanz not only completed her 11th run at the Dakar ( out of 11 total seasons ), but also finished 17th overall and taking the win in the women ’ s class .
ON THE PEGS // PAGE 22