Cookie Consent by Free Privacy Policy website Laia Sanz safely completes Stage One of 2020 Dakar Rally
january 05, 2020 - Gasgas

Laia Sanz safely completes Stage One of 2020 Dakar Rally

GASGAS FACTORY #racing RIDER FINISHES 752KM OPENING STAGE JUST OUTSIDE THE TOP 20
GasGas Factory Racing’s #laiasanz has successfully completed the opening 752-kilometre stage of the 2020 Dakar #rally, finishing a tough first day of competition in 21st position. Marking the start of her 10th participation in the iconic annual event, Laia placed her #gasgas RC 450F just over 23 minutes behind stage winner #tobyprice while comfortably finishing as the lead female competitor.
  • Laia Sanz safely completes stage one of 2020 Dakar Rally
  • 752-kilometre stage from Jeddah to Al Wajh a true mix of Saudi Arabian terrain
  • Challenging Dakar #rally continues with ‘super marathon’ stage two
Laia Sanz: “It was not a perfect day, but I am happy. It was a real Dakar stage, certainly not a gentle start to the event. I began close to the front and although the navigation wasn’t too tricky you had to stay really well focused and concentrate in case of some silly mistakes. I tried to really make sure that my navigation was good and to get used to the terrain and the speeds here. I know I can ride faster but today was all about not making mistakes. The terrain was quite varied with some difficult stony sections. Again, it would have been easy to fall and damage the bike, so I didn’t take any risks.”

Challenging riders from the off, the 2020 Dakar #rally fired into life with a long and demanding stage one that gave competitors their first true taste of the Saudi Arabian terrain on which they will compete for the next 12 days. Starting in Jeddah and finishing in Al Wajh day one featured a 319 km special stage.

As the 11th rider to leave the start this morning, Laia opted for a cautious approach to the third-longest stage of the event. Wanting to get a good feeling with the varied terrain and to avoid mistakes at all costs, she made her way through the opening five waypoints inside the top 20, eventually placing 21st for the day.

Stage two of the 2020 Dakar #rally will also be the first super marathon stage, where only 10 minutes of mechanical repair time is permitted for each bike competitor. Laia will face a 393-kilometre stage from Al Wajh to Neom, comprising a 367 km special stage together with a 26 km liaison.

Results (provisional): #dakarrally2020, stage 1
1. #tobyprice (KTM) 3:19:33
2. #rickybrabec (Honda) 3:21:38 + 0:02:05
3. #matthiaswalkner (KTM) 3:22:13 + 0:02:40
21. #laiasanz (GasGas) 3:43:18 + 0:23:45

Related news

february 23, 2024
january 22, 2024
january 22, 2024

As the dust settles on last month's 2024 Dakar Rally it's already time for rally-raid engines to rev back into life. A world class...

There was drama right up until the finish line of the 2024 Dakar Rally and the Red Bull Off-Road Junior Team were at the heart of ...

Audi made history at the 2024 Dakar Rally with the first victory for an electric drive with a high-voltage battery and energy conv...

You might be interested in

january 22, 2024
january 17, 2024
january 17, 2024

History was made at the 46th Dakar Rally when the Ultimate class was won for the first-time ever by a car equipped with electric d...

Ricky Brabec put in a blistering performance to take his first stage victory of the 2024 Dakar as the finish line draws closer.Wit...

The navigation riddles returned on Stage Nine of the 2024 Dakar Rally as the current crop of race leaders defended their spots at ...