Husqvarna Manufacturing unit Racing leads 2023 Dakar Rally throughout first week of racing • Complete Bike

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Stress-free on relaxation day, Husqvarna Manufacturing unit Racing now sit up for week two and the six levels that take the race to the end line in Dammam on January 15. Holding a slender 13-second lead within the general standings, Skyler Howes shall be seeking to take most benefit of his later begin place for Tuesday’s stage 9 – one other day billed to ship unforgiving terrain and sophisticated navigation.

Becoming a member of Howes within the chase tomorrow, Luciano Benavides may also be trying to make use of the velocity that took him to the stage win on day six to search out his rivals, submit a robust stage outcome, and climb his means up the RallyGP leaderboard. At the moment mendacity eleventh, 24 minutes down on his teammate, the quantity 77 shall be aiming to scale back that deficit over the subsequent couple of days.

Skyler Howes: “The primary eight days on the Dakar this yr have actually been very difficult. For me, I’d say it’s been one of many tougher Dakars in current historical past, partly due to the sheer time on the bike and the kilometres we’ve lined, but additionally as a result of these lengthy levels have been held over actually tough and assorted terrain. To make it to relaxation day is tremendous necessary, that’s rule primary for certain. As much as relaxation day we’ve nearly lined the identical distance as the entire of final yr, in order that places issues into perspective. I feel the onerous work the staff have put in all yr is obvious right here as we’re main the general, however we nonetheless have a full week of racing left to do. I’m blissful to steer the general however there’s nonetheless an extended method to go.”

Luciano Benavides: “It’s been a little bit of an up-and-down first eight days for me. Clearly to take my first stage win felt unimaginable, that was like a dream come true, however then it meant opening stage eight, which has to have been one of many hardest to steer out into. I additionally made a few errors earlier on within the week, which price me a while. I’m proud of how I’m using, and the bike is performing so properly, I simply want to remain centered now going into the second week. Hopefully we’ll get much more dunes and tough navigation, in order that the occasions are shaken up a bit and I’ll have a very good likelihood to assault the levels and work my means again up the standings. I do know I’ve the tempo, so I’ll carry on pushing.”

Norbert Stadlbauer – Rally Staff Supervisor: “Our Husqvarna riders have been among the many favourites for the race beginning off. And with Luciano’s stage win and Skyler main the general, they’ve clearly demonstrated they’re within the struggle for the win. The primary week has seen roughly 70 p.c of the race accomplished, and after Tuesday’s stage 9, the timed specials are far shorter. The staff are able to assault every one and take the struggle for the win to the end.”

2023 Dakar – Provisional Total Classification [After Stage 8]

1. Skyler Howes (Husqvarna) 30:34:16
2. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 30:34:29
3. Mason Klein (KTM) 30:34:29
4. Toby Worth (KTM) 30:36:14
5. Pablo Quintanilla (Honda) 30:37:01
6. Adrien Van Beveren (Honda) 30:37:05

11. Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) 30:58:48

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