RALLY DAKAR 2024

Tosha Schareina signs the first Spanish victory of the Dakar 2024

Tosha Schareina(image above) is very serious about the Dakar. Although it is only his third participation and the first with a real chance to shine, the Valencian has sent a clear message to his rivals: he is going for everything. And that includes the prologue stage, in which he beat all the stars of the race.

The brand new official Honda rider therefore becomes the first leader of the Dakar 2024 - in motorcycles the prologue does count for the general classification - after beating a specialist like Daniel Sanders (GasGas) by 11 seconds - who arrived affected by problems stomach problems in the previous days and in 18 to Ross Branch (Hero), who clearly took it more calmly. Toby Price (who made a mistake in a valley) and Kevin Benavides, eighth and ninth at the Al-Ula finish line, also left time.

Barreda starts with a fall... The face among the Spanish is Schareina and the tail has been Joan Barreda, who has not had the best debut for Joan Barreda and his new mount, the Indian Hero. The rider from Castellón lost more than a minute and a half to the stage winner after suffering a fall during the 27-kilometre special.

The good news for the Castellón rider is that, despite being left out of the top 15 - who will choose their starting position for tomorrow - starting late can be strategically a success in a stage as long as tomorrow's.

Lorenzo Santolino (Sherco) also lost time (1:16) and will follow the same fate as Barreda, starting 12th tomorrow, behind many favorites but with options to make up time if the terrain allows it.

This afternoon, starting at 5:15 p.m., the first 10 of the prologue will choose their starting position for tomorrow's stage, "one of the most difficult of the Dakar," as Sam Sunderland, winner two years ago, described it at the end. the prologue. An appetizer that, in addition, has presented some complications in navigation for the favorites, who had very different lines in front of the less experienced pilots and with very soft sand.

Argentine double in quads...In quads, Argentine double to start. Francisco Moreno beat his Yamaha teammate and compatriot, Manuel Andujar.

The first stage of the Dakar Rally will be held tomorrow, January 6, between Al-Ula and Al Henakiyah, with 405 kilometers of timed special for a total of 532 kilometers of route.

by: Enrique Naranjo