Britain’s Sam Sunderland took victory in today’s 11th 2021 Dakar stage and closed in on overall leader Kevin Benavides.
Third overall coming into today’s stage and with an advantageous start position of eighth, the Red Bull KTM man set off 15 minutes behind the rally leader with every intention of chasing him down.
Knowing the long special offered a great chance to improve his position in the overall classification, Sunderland made the best use of his speed and experience to close in on his rivals.
Taking the lead of the stage by the fourth checkpoint at kilometre 215, the Brit remained in front on time from there to the finish.
Although a small navigational error cost him some minutes in the final kilometres, Sunderland claimed the win on the stage and did enough to move himself up to second in the provisional overall standings.
“I gave my all today – I knew this stage would be one of the best chances I had to make up time on the guys in front,” said Sunderland.
“It’s great to win the stage, but it means I have to open tomorrow for the last day, which will be hard. Still, anything can happen as we know, and I’ll keep fighting right to the end.
“It’s been another really long, tough stage but I’m grateful to be able to just race my bike through the desert, especially with everything that is going on in the world at the moment.
“I’m grateful to my team too for all the hard work they have put in to get us here. The plan now is to do my best again tomorrow and we’ll see where wDakar 2021: Sunderland closes in on lead with stage 11 wine are.”
