IMPRESSIVE RIDE THROUGH DEMANDING STAGE SEES #gasgas FACTORY STAR JUMP THREE PLACES IN THE OVERALL CLASSIFICATION
Hitting the sand dunes for the first time in the 2021 Dakar #rally, #laiasanz has battled her way through a demanding stage two to post the 23rd fastest special stage time, passing 11 riders during the 457-kilometer timed special and completing the day without troubles. Despite being only the second stage of the #event, the 685-kilometer stage saw riders face hugely demanding riding and navigational conditions but ultimately proved to be a positive day for Laia who improved three positions in the overall classification.
Laia Sanz: “I’m a lot happier than I was yesterday. Not because of my result today, but because I felt good on the bike. Yesterday it was hard for me to find that good rhythm and the balance between riding and reading the navigation. I was able to use the dunes we had early on the stage to pass some of the riders ahead of me, and then I was able to keep focused on my riding. It was a tricky stage again, but I’m pleased I didn’t make any big errors. The stage was quite fast overall, with only 30-40 kilometers of dunes and more like one of last year’s stages. I’m happy it was a good stage for me.”
Starting as the 34th rider to enter stage two, Laia quickly improved to pass through kilometer 46 in 28th position. Faced with a seemingly never-ending sea of sand dunes during the early part of the special stage, she used her years of Dakar experience to successfully navigate her way through, picking up a handful of additional positions as she went. Riding her #gasgas RC 450F to an eventual 23rd place finish, Laia will enjoy an improved start position for stage three.
Day three of the 2021 Dakar #rally will see Laia face more sand dunes as she takes on a 403-kilometer timed special stage as part of the day’s 629-kilometer stage, which loops around the bivouac in Wadi Ad-Dawasir. Just like the event’s two opening stages, more challenging navigation is expected.
Results (provisional): Dakar #rally 2021, stage 2
1. Joan Barreda Bort (Honda) 4:17.56
2. Ricky Brabec (Honda) 4:21.51
3. Pablo Quintanilla (Husqvarna) 4:23.58
23. #laiasanz (GASGAS) 4:46.28
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