The starting signal has been given for the 44th edition of the Dakar Rally, the third in Saudi Arabia. On New Years Day 2022 there was a short timed section, which primarily determined the starting order for the first stage on Sunday. GasGas talent Daniel Sanders set the fastest time in the prologue.
144 motorcycles lined the starting line in Jeddah on Saturday. A total of 614 kilometers had to be covered on the way north to Ha’il. The 18.82 km short timed section was relatively at the beginning of the route.
Most of the terrain was dominated by sand. Before the race really starts on Sunday, the drivers had the opportunity to build up a first rhythm. The field of motorcycles was sent off in reverse order, the top riders came at the end.
Sanders completed the timed section as the fastest. Honda rookie Pablo Quintanilla followed behind the Australian. In third place with the Yamaha, Ross Branch ensured three brands in the top positions.
KTM duo rounds off the top 5
The KTM duo Kevin Benavides and Matthias Walkner rounded off the top 5. Ricky Brabec (Honda) lost just under four minutes and finished twelfth, which means that the American does not have an optimal starting position for tomorrow.
The drivers reached the launch pad after the long liaison stage in the bivouac in Ha’il. Later that day, the top 15 motorcycles can choose their starting position for the first real stage the next day. The further back you start, the better.
The times of the prologue count for the overall standings and will be added to the result of the first stage tomorrow. For the motorcycles and quads, the prologue times are multiplied by a factor of five. Hence the “long” travel time for almost 19 kilometers.
Tomorrow a loop north of Ha’il is on the program. The total distance is 514 kilometers, with the assessed section being 333 kilometers.
Result of the prologue (Top 15): 01. Daniel Sanders (GasGas) – 55:30 minutes 02. Pablo Quintanilla (Honda) +1: 00 minute 03. Ross Branch (Yamaha) +1: 55 04. Kevin Benavides (KTM) +2: 00 05. Matthias Walkner (KTM) +2: 35 06. Adrian van Beveren (Yamaha) +2: 40 07. Sam Sunderland (GasGas) +2: 55 08. Toby Price (KTM) +2: 55 09. Joan Barreda Bort (Honda) + 3:00 10. Andrew Short (Yamaha) +3: 00 11. Joaquim Rodrigues (Hero) +3: 05 12. Ricky Brabec (Honda) +3: 55 13. Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) +4: 05 14. Martin Michek (KTM) +4: 15 15. Bradley Cox (KTM) +5: 30
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