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Sainz Holds Back in Prologue with Spanish Flare in Motorbikes

Sainz Holds Back in Prologue with Spanish Flare in Motorbikes

The short special stage in Bisha allowed competitors to test the terrain, confirming that there will be alternation at the top in both four and two wheels.

David Sánchez de Castro

Viernes, 3 de enero 2025, 13:00

In the Dakar, it is crucial to understand that speed does not always equate to success. There are countless instances in the nearly half-century history of the world's toughest rally where starting fast has proven to be a mistake. Carlos Sainz, the reigning champion and top contender to retain the title, knows this well. He and his co-driver Lucas Cruz are aware that they face a challenging yet far from impossible edition, so they must play their cards wisely from the outset.

Thus, in the mere 30 kilometers of timed special, the main goal was to avoid mistakes and, if possible, not to finish at the top. Saturday's stage, another loop in Bisha with 413 kilometers to cover, made Friday a trap that the top contenders wanted to avoid. So much so that Henk Lategan's victory with the Toyota Hilux is almost bad news for him, as he will have to open the track just ahead of Mattias Ekstrom, who finished nearly alongside with the Ford Raptor. The team leader of the American squad, 'El Matador' Sainz, took it much more calmly: he dropped a minute and 14 seconds to finish in 25th place, a position he signs with as much joy, if not more, than if he had won.

As he explained to the media at the Bisha bivouac, the focus is on Sunday. The 48-hour chrono will be the first major cut-off day of this edition, so the key is not to fall behind the leaders in the early kilometers to be able to attack them in the crucial stages. "The important thing will be when the time starts counting from tomorrow," he explained about Saturday's stage. "And depending on how the special goes, we will start the 48 Hours stage," he insisted.

Therefore, he is not worried about seeing Nasser Al-Attiyah or Sebastien Loeb much further ahead on this first day. Sainz knows that the dunes and rocky areas of this region of Saudi Arabia can bring him joy if they play in his favor, or headaches if luck is not on his side. Loeb knows this well, for example, as he already encountered problems from this prologue. "It was not an easy special for a prologue, not even in terms of track visibility. Last year I punctured many times when I least expected it, without going over stones or any signs of trouble. That's the problem here, we know it. It's going to be a long haul," the nine-time world rally champion predicted regarding this first Dakar weekend.

Canet Makes Noise

Many eyes were on the motorbike category towards a young 19-year-old making his Dakar debut in 2025. The name of the Spaniard Edgar Canet appeared in the headlines with his unexpected signing by KTM, a legendary brand in the history of the rally but currently in a state of decline. In an edition where they are expected to make a final swan song, perhaps the joy will come from this young man from La Garriga, born in 2005.

This rookie, who races with an 'L' for 'learner' on his helmet, quickly grabbed the spotlight. On the first day, Canet finished third, crossing the finish line just 12 seconds behind the day's winner, his teammate Daniel Sanders, and with the same time as Dakar veteran Ross Branch.

For Canet, it was a day to remember, aware that every kilometer he covers will teach him a lot. "It's a dream," he remarked while wiping the dust from his face, smiling, and even joking about a small scare he had. "I think it went quite well, I didn't get lost. I did catch quite a bit of dust from the riders ahead, but overall it was very fast, just the way I like it. I hit a tree that was in the middle, but with my hands, so everything went well," he highlighted.

His first major test will be this Saturday, where he will have to face constant terrain changes and navigation he is not accustomed to. This is just the beginning.

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todoalicante Sainz Holds Back in Prologue with Spanish Flare in Motorbikes