Traverse 13 | Page 100

been perfect. My confidence is growing all the time and each rally we do I learn a little bit more and gain a lot of experience.” A Cross Country Rally favourite, Sanz took out the female category and sat less than two hours behind Sun- derland in 7th place outright. Sanz rode quickly heading into the final stage where she consolidated her position, minimising errors and safeguard the top ten spot. The Dakar Women’s Cham- pion marked her first competitive outing in this year’s FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship with the excellent placing beating many of the championship regulars in the process. Sanz’s impressive speed and consistent, error-free finishes paid off, especially at an event as tough and de- manding as the Silk Way Rally. Sanz will now take some rest before continuing her Dakar preparation at the next race in Chile. “These last days have been tough and certainly very tiring as well as being technical,” grinned Sanz, as always. “I’m happy to be at the end safely and I’m very happy with my result. “Now, after some rest, I will continue to train and focus as always on the Dakar Rally next year.” The Silk Way Rally has continued the run of great resul- ts for the Red Bull KTM team who now prepare for round three, the Atacama Rally held in Chile across the first week of September. TRAVERSE 100