Sam Sanderland ( above and below ) led the early stages to eventually clinch the title on the final stage - giving the Brit his second overall Dakar win and delivering GasGas a win on its maiden Dakar outing
to the starter ’ s ramp with a strong lineup in the form of former champion Sam Sunderland and red-hot rookie Daniel Sanders .
NO CLEAR FAVOURITE As the riders got on the gas for the prologue stage , it was truly anyone ’ s guess as to who would have what it takes to make it to the top step of the podium . Unlike previous editions of the infamous rally , which spanned multiple countries over the two weeks of racing , the current incarnation of the Dakar takes place wholly in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ; with Dakar 2022 being the third running of the event here . This year ’ s route both started and finished in the Red Sea port city of Jeddah , with competitors racing a loop of the country over course of the 14-day event .
ON THE GASGAS The opening stages of the rally were all about
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