Sunderland poised for Dakar victory despite Honda charge

Day: 11

Course: 759km

Special: 288km (split into two parts)

Portuguese rider Paulo Gonçalves has become the fourth factory Honda rider to finish a stage as the fastest rider, though adjusted results have elevated teammate Joan Barreda into stage 11’s top spot to give the Spanish rider his fourth stage victory of the 2017 event.

Rally leader Briton Sam Sunderland (KTM) rode a careful stage to finish fifth, over nine minutes behind the winner, a result which has extended his overall lead to 33m09s with one stage left to run.

“I just took it steady,” Sunderland said. “I didn’t want to take any risks. There were a lot of ruts from the rain. So we’re here, we’re safe and we have just one more day of the Dakar. I think the gap is around thirty minutes. I’d like it to be three hours, but it’s better than thirty seconds, so we’ll keep focused and see how we go.”

Mechanical issues has spelt the end of Yamaha’s Xavier de Soultrait’s campaign on the penultimate stage, HRC’s Michael Metge was also forced to withdraw, while Red Bull KTM’s Stefan Svitko, who was taken to hospital after collapsing on stage 10’s link stage, returned to the race and finished ninth place to rank 25th overall.

Red Bull KTM’s Mattias Walkner finished down in 10th, but it’s enough for the Austrian to retain his second-place ranking in the overall standings, four minutes ahead of Spain’s Gerard Farres Guell (KTM).

Australia’s Todd Smith (KTM) finished the stage in 36th place which sees the New South Welshman in 19th place in the overall standings. Aussie Privateer rider Matthew Hart (Husqvarna) ended the day in 43rd position and currently sits 43rd overall.

The final stage of the 2017 Dakar Rally will get under way this afternoon, Australian time, and will be a 786km run to the finish line in Buenos Aires in Argentina.

Stage   Overall

Barreda (Spain)            1st       5th

Sunderland (GBr)         5th       1st

Walkner (Aut)               10th     2nd

Gonçalves (Por)           2nd      6th

Farres Guell (Spa)        4th       3rd

Van Beveren (Fra)        3rd       4th

Smith (Aus)                  36th     19th

Hart (Aus)                     43rd     44th