third overall entering week two , he clearly indicated his ability , until an unfortunate crash and serious elbow injury on stage seven ruled the hardcharging Aussie out of the race . After rehabbing for almost a year , Sanders is back and ready to roll up his sleeves and get stuck into Dakar 2023 .
" It ’ s been a long time since I raced and a long time recovering from my crash last year but we ’ re here and pretty much ready to go ," said Sanders . " My elbow isn ’ t quite 100 % but once I get out there riding , I know it ’ ll be just fine . It ’ s probably going to be the toughest race of my career having been off the bike for so long , especially with there being two more stages this time around , but I ’ m pumped to be back racing . I ’ ll be looking for a steady start to the race with the ultimate goal of reaching the finish line . It ’ s a modest goal but it ’ s been a long road to get back racing and I can ’ t wait to get back out there in the dunes and be racing with the boys again .”
The Rieju team is facing its third consecutive Dakar with returning riders Dani Nosiglia and Patricio Cabrera , and with Diego Llanos and Sandra Gómez , who are making their debut .
Spanish rider Sandra Gomez arrives at the Dakar 2023 with a hunger for victory among the women , remembering her second place in
ON THE PEGS // PAGE 130