Joan Barreda is a one of the factory Monster Honda riders attempting to win this year’s Dakar rally and spends a majority of his time fighting with dunes, sand, ruts, pirates and animals in order to win off-road’s biggest trophy.

The 2017 Dakar runs from Asuncion to Buenos Aires this year, taking in Paraguay which becomes the 29th country to host a Dakar stage. The 10,000 kilometre route, via La Paz, covers some of the most inhospitable terrain on the planet. Making life even more uncomfortable for riders will be the scorching South American summer temperatures and nosebleed-inducing altitudes.

Barreda was on a charge yesterday, collecting the 15th stage win of his Dakar career as he chased down reigning champion Toby Price (Red Bull KTM) who lost time opening the road. The Spaniard now leads the overall classification, with Price’s British KTM team-mate Sam Sunderland 10m 20s back in second place. Price himself has slipped to fifth overall.

Stage three video round-up