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Dakar Rally: Benavides Wins, Howes Retakes Overall Lead During Stage 11

David Swarts
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Dakar Rally: Benavides Wins, Howes Retakes Overall Lead During Stage 11

STAGE 11 WIN FOR LUCIANO BENAVIDES AT 2023 DAKAR RALLY

HUSQVARNA FACTORY RACING RIDER TAKES HIS THIRD STAGE VICTORY OF THE EVENT AS TEAMMATE SKYLER HOWES REGAINS THE RACE LEAD

On a hugely successful day 11 in the Saudi desert for Husqvarna Factory Racing, Luciano Benavides has claimed his third stage win of the event and in turn advances to sixth place overall in the event’s provisional overall standings. Leading those standings after an impressive ride to fourth place on today’s stage, Skyler Howes now holds a narrow 28-second lead at the top of the timesheets.

Marking the first half of the event’s marathon stage, deep into the Empty Quarter region, day 11 at Dakar saw riders complete a timed special of 274 kilometres, predominantly made up of a seemingly endless expanse of dunes. Of the two Husqvarna Factory Racing teammates it was Luciano Benavides who mastered the terrain the best, posting the fastest time to kilometre 63 and pushing hard from then on. Taking the stage win by an impressive one minute and 38 seconds also moves Luciano higher in the overall standings to sixth, where he trails rally leader and teammate Skyler Howes by 18 minutes.

Handling the pressure perfectly, Howes set off as the 18th rider into the special and immediately began to make up time on those ahead of him. Swapping the top two positions with his teammate for the first half of the stage, a few minor issues later on cost the American a little time, but he was still able to bring his FR 450 Rally safely back to the bivouac in fourth place. Retaking the overall rally lead and holding a near-30-second advantage over second-placed Toby Price, Howes will have the added benefit of chasing down his nearest rival on Friday’s stage 12.

Luciano Benavides: “It was a really, really nice stage. I enjoyed racing through the dunes and was able to make up good time, too. There was a big variety today, some of the dunes were really big and in between the ground was very hard to judge as well, with lots of softer areas that could catch you out. The navigation was not too difficult today, the challenge came from trying to find the fastest line through the dunes. I did a good job and was able to make up some more time, which is great. I’m leading out again tomorrow and I’m really looking forward to the challenge.”

Skyler Howes: “It was a really fast stage today with lots of dunes – lots of big dunes! I found a good rhythm out there and was making good progress. I did get stuck in the soft sand on a couple of dunes and had to turn around to attack those again. There was one waypoint that I had to circle around to get properly as well. The bike is in great condition, which is great for the marathon stage, I just need to stay focused because the times in the standings are really close. I think it’s going to be like this all the way to the finish, which makes it pretty exciting.”

2023 Dakar Rally – Stage 11 Provisional Classification

1. Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) 2:57:59

2. Daniel Sanders (GASGAS) 2:59:37

3. Toby Price (KTM) 2:59:55

4. Skyler Howes (Husqvarna) 3:00:08

5. Pablo Quintanilla (Honda) 3:00:53

6. Sebastian Buhler (Hero) 3:03:05

 

2023 Dakar – Provisional Overall Classification [After Stage 11]

1. Skyler Howes (Husqvarna) 38:47:43

2. Toby Price (KTM) 38:48:11

3. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 38:50:27

4. Pablo Quintanilla (Honda) 39:01:57

5. Adrien Van Beveren (Honda) 39:03:07

6. Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) 39:05:49

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by KTM Factory Racing:

THIRD-PLACE RESULT FOR TOBY PRICE ON STAGE 11 AT DAKAR RALLY

Dakar Rally 2023 – Stage 11

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Toby Price has completed the first half of the Dakar Rally’s Empty Quarter marathon stage as third fastest. The impressive result moves him back into second place in the overall standings, just 28 seconds down on the leader. Kevin Benavides rode to a solid 10th place today and drops two spots to third in the standings, while Matthias Walkner successfully defended his 10th place overall after his performance through the Saudi dunes.

Leading competitors from Shaybah to the bivouac in the Empty Quarter, today’s stage 11 delivered 274-kilometers of dunes and tracks raced against the clock. With times still tight at the top of the leaderboard, riders had to push hard over the grueling terrain to secure their positions while also being mindful to take extra care of their machines, as no outside assistance is permitted overnight.

After the 153-kilometer liaison this morning, Toby Price was the 19th rider to enter today’s special. The Australian made steady progress through the stage, balancing out-and-out speed with the preservation of himself and his KTM 450 RALLY. Ultimately posting the third-fastest time for the stage, just under two minutes down on the leader, means Toby climbs back up to second overall in the provisional standings and will also have two riders to chase down on tomorrow’s slightly shorter 185-kilometer special on stage 12.

Toby Price: “I think the stage went well for me today, I was able to get a little bit of time back and that puts me in good contention for the podium places still. I’m feeling in good shape and the bike is perfect, so no issues there. Starting back a little bit definitely helped today. I did make a little mistake early on, like a couple of the guys in front I think, but was able to correct it pretty quickly and carry on. I just took it quite steady today – pushed where it was safe to do so and then eased off a bit to make sure I didn’t make any mistakes. I’ll be third away for tomorrow, which isn’t too bad, so I’ll keep on fighting and see where we end up.”

In contrast to his teammate Price, Kevin Benavides set off near the front of today’s stage, and with little in the way of tracks ahead of him, the Argentinian had to carefully navigate his way through the dunes of the special. Making good time through the first half of the stage, Benavides fought his way up to fourth, but was then forced to ease his pace after catching the lead group of riders, which he joined on the final kilometers to the finish. In placing 10th, Kevin drops to third overall in the rankings, but trails the leader by less than three minutes.

Kevin Benavides: “Another tough day and the first part of the marathon stage today. I started in fourth position and tried to push straight away. I did a good job, I caught the guys in front after refueling, and from there we rode together for the last 80 kilometers or so. The bike is all ready in the parc fermé and I have a good start position for tomorrow, so it’s just a case of trying to make up time and stay in the fight.”

Enjoying his time in the Saudi desert, Matthias Walkner delivered a strong ride to 13th place, despite a couple of issues along the way. Having lost time through injury in the first week of the event, Matthias feel less under pressure and plans to complete his 2023 Dakar on a high, attacking the remaining stages and securing a solid finish.

Matthias Walkner: “I had a good stage today. It was good fun riding in the Empty Quarter for the second day and it certainly lived up to its name as there was nothing to see for miles around. I made a bit of a mistake early on that cost me some minutes, but then I managed to get stuck in a pocket of soft sand that took a little while to get out of. There is no contrast at all in the desert and you never know when something like this will happen. I pushed hard after refueling to make up time, and that was great fun jumping off the dunes. It really was a beautiful stage. I have a good start position for tomorrow, so I’ll aim for a top-three finish.”

Riders return to their teams at the bivouac in Shaybah tomorrow on day 12 of the rally, covering a total of 376 kilometers, 185 of which are timed special stage.

Provisional Results – 2023 Dakar Rally, Stage 11

1. Luciano Benavides (ARG), Husqvarna, 2:57:59

2. Daniel Sanders (AUS), GASGAS, 2:59:37 +1:38

3. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 2:59:55 +1:56

4. Skyler Howes (USA), Husqvarna, 3:00:08 +2:09

5. Pablo Quintanilla (CHI), Honda, 3:00:53 +2:54

Other KTM

10. Kevin Benavides (ARG), KTM, 3:04:21 +6:22

13. Matthias Walkner (AUT), KTM, 3:06:33 +8:34

 

Provisional Standings – 2023 Dakar Rally (after 11 of 14 stages)

1. Skyler Howes (USA), Husqvarna, 38:47:43

2. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 38:48:11 +0:28

3. Kevin Benavides (ARG), KTM, 38:50:27 +2:44

4. Pablo Quintanilla (CHI), Honda, 39:01:57 +14:14

5. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA), Honda, 39:03:07 +15:24

Other KTM

9. Mason Klein (USA), KTM, 39:19:18 +31:35

10. Matthias Walkner (AUT), KTM, 39:32:28 +44:45

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by GASGAS Factory Racing:

SECOND PLACE FOR SANDERS ON LEG ONE OF THE DAKAR RALLY MARATHON STAGE

RED BULL GASGAS FACTORY RACING’S RALLY STAR IMPRESSES WITH RUNNER-UP FINISH ON STAGE 11 AND MOVES UP TO SEVENTH OVERALL

Marathon stage, leg one at the Dakar complete and it was a pretty positive day of racing for Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Daniel Sanders. As the 12th rider into the 274-kilometer timed special, Sanders benefitted from chasing the leading riders on stage and capitalized on his starting position to post the second-fastest time. In the process, Chucky closed the gap on the overall leaders and now advances to seventh in the provisional standings. With three stages to go, a top-five finish at this year’s event is well within reach.

Chucky posts his third top-three stage result at this year’s Dakar

Leg one of the marathon stage done and dusted

Three more days of racing remain at the 2023 Dakar Rally

Daniel Sanders: “Today wasn’t too bad. It took a little while for me to get up to speed and then at around kilometer 40 there was a tricky note in the roadbook. I slowed up a little to make sure I was heading in the right direction and then pushed on to refueling. After that I rode with Luciano Benavides for the rest of the stage which was good, and it was a good gauge of knowing the speed up front. Second’s decent enough ahead of tomorrow’s shorter stage. I’ve just checked the bike over, all the fluids and everything, and it’s in great shape so I’m looking forward to getting back out there tomorrow.”

The marathon stage at the Dakar is always a tough one for riders as they need to strike a fine balance between posting the best time possible on leg one, while making sure their bike remains in good shape for leg two. For Sanders, placing second was clearly a strong result and after giving his bike a quick once over ahead of tomorrow’s stage 11, Chucky, and his awesome RX 450F, are now ready for another day of sand surfing through the Empty Quarter.

Results (provisional): Dakar Rally 2023, stage 11

1. Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) 2:57:59

2. Daniel Sanders (GASGAS) 2:59:37

3. Toby Price (KTM) 2:59:55

 

Overall Provisional Classification (after stage 11)

1. Skyler Howes (Husqvarna) 38:47:43

2. Toby Price (KTM) 38:48:11

3. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 38:50:27

7. Daniel Sanders (GASGAS) 39:09:23

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by Monster Energy Honda Racing:

PLAYING HARD AT THE EMPTY QUARTER

It is the highlight of a week of action in the deserts of Saudi Arabia. The Dakar Rally 2023 finally reached today the immense sea of dunes known as the Empty Quarter. With a special reddish-orange color, this is the largest continuous sand territory in the world – with its 1000 kilometers long and 500 km wide.  This was the landscape to the marathon stage of this year’s race (stage 11), starting early this morning from Shaybah and arriving less than three hours later in the heart of this region.

This morning the counter of the Honda’s CRF 450 Rally marked 4,000 kilometers of specials right after the start, with 273 km of the selective section (added by a liaison of 151 km) to complete during the marathon stage. On the arrival our riders were their own in terms of assistance, since they won’t have any mechanics or external help.

Monster Energy Honda Team riders are fighting to evolve in the top standings. Today the best was Pablo Quintanilla, with a fifth place 2:54 minutes off the pace. This performance meant a step up in the overall standings to fourth position. Second was José Ignacio Cornejo, who finished in 14th place 8:13 minutes off the pace (8th overall). Adrien Van Beveren was opening the track and reached the end in 18th place, meaning a 5th place overall.

The second part of the marathon stage will take place tomorrow with the return to Shaybah on stage 12. Along the 185 km of this selective section (added by a liaison of 188 km) there will be a focus on the tactical acumen of the riders. With just three days to go in this Dakar Rally 2023 it is certainly time to attack in every dune!

Ruben Faria

General Manager

“Today we had a very hard stage, the biggest one in the Empty Quarter with the first part of the marathon. We are behind the top 3 but I believe we are still in contention to change that. In the previous days we have been losing and gaining time like it is normal, but we lost too much time in the first six days. We lost Ricky Brabec, a Dakar winner, quite early and that was also a blow to our aspirations. About today’s stage, Adrien was great opening the track – he lost some time but that we already expected like it is normal. Nacho got lost in the middle of the special stage. Pablo also had a good stage but will be in front tomorrow. All riders arrived well and the Honda CRF 450 Rally is also perfect to continue. This is the Dakar Rally and we have to fight and believe until the end of the race!”

Pablo Quintanilla  7

“It was not an easy day, the sand was too soft and sometimes it was hard to climb the dunes. Anyway I was at a good pace and I think I did a good stage. The first part of the marathon stage is done and my Honda CRF 450 Rally is without any damage, so I am ready to continue tomorrow.”

José Ignacio Cornejo  11

“I made some navigation mistakes and lost around eight minutes. I am not happy about that, but that’s what it is. I will stay focused on climbing on the overall standings and keep fighting until the end. This is Dakar and I have to maintain my goal. ”

Adrien Van Beveren  42

“It was a good day, I caught Ross at kilometer 40 then I opened almost all the stage. I feel good and I feel fast on this terrain but when you open you always lose time. For sure I am doing my best every day and every minute and we will see how it goes.”

Supercross Round Two Postponed Due To Severe Weather In Northern California

David Swarts
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Supercross Round Two Postponed Due To Severe Weather In Northern California

Due to the severe weather conditions afflicting Northern California, Round 2 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship originally scheduled for Saturday, January 14 at RingCentral Coliseum in Oakland, California is being rescheduled for Saturday, February 18, 2023. The safety of our athletes, teams, operational and television staff, and fans is always our foremost concern.

All original ticket purchases will be honored for the rescheduled date. Ticket purchasers can visit SupercrossLIVE for the most up to date information regarding this rescheduled event.

Round 3 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship will continue next Saturday, January 21 at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California.

American Flat Track: 1st Impressions Racing Signs Cose And Ott

David Swarts
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American Flat Track: 1st Impressions Racing Signs Cose And Ott

1st Impressions Racing to Field Cose, Ott on Husqvarnas in 2023

 JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (January 11, 2023) – 1st Impressions Racing is proud to announce its plans to field Chad Cose and James Ott on Husqvarna FC 450 motorcycles in the Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER class for the 2023 Progressive American Flat Track season.

The team has also signed two-time Mission Production Twins champion Cory Texter to oversee the revamped program as the Team Manager, while Paul Ott will serve as Crew Chief and Ashley Kruppenbacker as Lead Mechanic.

Cose is a veteran rider who has been winning races at the professional level for the entirety of his career, most recently as a member of 1st Impressions Racing in last year’s Parts Unlimited AFT Singles Main Event at the Cedar Lake Short Track. Cose, who finished as the Mission Production Twins runner-up to Texter in 2021, is motivated to be a consistent force at the front of the field in 2023.

Ott enters his first season on the team with considerable experience riding Austrian-based motorcycles. He concluded the 2022 season ranked inside the Parts Unlimited AFT Singles championship top ten on the strength of a pair of top-five finishes.

 

Eric Hoyt – Team Owner 1st Impressions Racing

“We have had some success so far in the Progressive American Flat Track series, but for 2023 we are making huge changes to the program. Hiring Cory has been an incredible addition. Not only in a management role, but “CTex” is such a great rider coach and mentor that he’ll get the boys in top-notch shape during the off-season. Bringing back Chad was key and well deserved considering his accomplishments and getting us our first win last year in Wisconsin. And I have been watching James for a few years now, and he is an underrated, fast rider with a bright future. The addition of Paul Ott has been a game changer with his set-up knowledge of the motorcycles and building the bikes. And our mechanic Ashley Kruppenbacker crushes it in the shop during the week and at the track. It’s been a lot of fun prepping for the year and I would put our team up against any out there in the series.”

Cory Texter – Team Manager

“I am excited to still be involved with the series for 2023 as the Team Manager for 1st Impressions Racing. Eric has been great to work with and is really putting a lot of trust in me to elevate his program in order to run up front with the factory-supported teams. It’s going to be a learning year, but I am confident in both Chad and James as the riders. I am excited to start working with them this offseason. With their talents, the sky’s the limit. I am also thankful that I was able to bring Paul Ott onto the team. He was crucial to the success I had as a rider these last couple of seasons and is extremely underrated when it comes to his ability to set up a motorcycle. Our lead mechanic Ashley Kruppenbacker is a hard worker and has been a pleasure to work. It’ll be a fun season and I am confident we will shake up the results frequently throughout the year.”

Chad Cose – #49

“I am eager to sign again with 1st Impression Racing for the 2023 season. Being able to get the team a win shows we have the potential to run up front. I am excited about the switch to Husqvarna motorcycles. It’ll be a cool dynamic having another California guy like James as a teammate and Paul as our crew chief. Bringing in CTex was a huge addition to the program. Cory and I have been buds a long time and having him there to work with me during the offseason and be in our corner all year will be priceless. It’s going to be a grind, but we will be ready to go.”

James Ott – #19

“I am super stoked going into 2023. In the past, my dad and I have always pieced together what we could on a limited budget. Being on a team like 1st Impressions is an amazing opportunity. They are committed to winning. It’ll be cool having a teammate in Chad this year and someone like Cory to get involved with his knowledge and experience as well. I am ready to get the season started.”

Paul Ott – Crew Chief

“I am super excited for the opportunity to mechanic motorcycles for James and Chad on the 1st Impressions Husqvarna team in 2023. I am equally excited to continue working with Cory in this new capacity as well as Ashley Kruppenbacker and the entire team. I want to give a special thanks to Eric Hoyt for allowing us all to have the creative freedom to build what is truly becoming a ground-up Husqvarna FC 450 effort. I look forward to the challenges the 2023 AFT season will bring and know that our team has the tools it takes to emerge successfully.”

Ashley Kruppenbacker – Lead Mechanic

“Next year is going to be awesome with the changes Eric is bringing to the team. Switching to the FC 450 and bringing in a second rider in James Ott alongside our current rider Chad Cose is going to make our team a contender next year. It’s equally exciting to have Cory Texter involved as well. We have a lot of work to do this offseason, but I am excited to spin the wrenches.”

Ducati Reports Worldwide Sales Record For 2022

David Swarts
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Ducati Reports Worldwide Sales Record For 2022

Ducati ends an extraordinary year: with 61,562 motorcycles delivered worldwide, 2022 is the best year ever

Record deliveries for Ducati, which surpasses the 60,000-bike mark for the first time in its history in 2022, despite the global logistics and supply crisis

Italian deliveries grew by 10 percent – Italy becomes the main market for the company

The Multistrada V4 is the most loved bike by Ducatisti with more than 10,000 motorcycles delivered worldwide during 2022

Ducati sales network continues its expansion reaching a record 821 dealerships worldwide

Borgo Panigale (Bologna, Italy), 11 January 2023 – 2022 confirmed itself as an exceptional year for Ducati, which closed the period with a record of 61,562 motorcycles delivered to enthusiasts around the world, a result that complements the successes collected by the motorcycle manufacturer in the racing world. Sales grew by 3.6 percent over 2021.

Claudio Domenicali, CEO Ducati: “This sales result is the outcome of the path that has seen us steadily invest in the development of innovative motorcycles and consistently strive to improve the quality of the products and the experiences enjoyed by our passionate Ducatisti. In addition, the Ducati brand has never been more loved and desirable, thanks to our extraordinary sporting achievements and our ongoing commitment to making our Ducatisti feel part of a big, welcoming family. Achieving a sales result above the already excellent of 2021 in such a difficult year for the entire automotive system, which was afflicted by serious supply discontinuities, particularly in the world of semiconductors, is really an important measure of the flexibility with which the whole of Ducati reacted, together with our suppliers and dealers. This flexibility allowed us to contain the impact on delivery delays for our fans – whom I take this opportunity to thank for their patience and dedication – and thus also to achieve this sales result. The team of women and men present in Ducati today is in my opinion the best ever and reflects the work done in recent years on the growth and enhancement of talents. Therefore, a big thank you goes to all of them because without their commitment the successes achieved by the Company would not have been possible. Thanks also to the union representatives who have always been a willing interlocutor to find together the best solution to the problems of this tumultuous year.”

During 2022, Italy confirmed itself as the main market for Ducati, with 9,578 motorcycles and a 10 percent growth compared to 2021. The United States is in second place with 8,441 units delivered, a decrease of -6% compared to 2021 due to logistical difficulties and delays in overseas shipments. Another strategic country for Ducati is Germany , which grew by 9 percent over 2021 and with 6,678 delivered motorcycles is positioning itself as the third largest market.

Francesco Milicia, Ducati VP Global Sales and After Sales: “2022 was a year full of successes for Ducati and this record of deliveries is further confirmation of the solidity of the Company and of the constant growth of the brand in the world. In the first six months of the year, the international scenario was characterized by strong discontinuities in the world of logistics and supply, which penalized performance in the most important months of the season. Despite this, in the second half of the year we managed to recover and reach the highest sales volumes in the company’s history, thanks to great organizational flexibility and constant dialogue with partners and unions. Although the economic scenario in recent months has certainly worsened, we remain confident about the future thanks to the strength of an expanding sales network and a positive order portfolio, reflecting enthusiasts’ appreciation of the renewed product range.”

The Multistrada V4 in all its versions once again proves to be the model most loved by Ducatisti enthusiasts with 10,716 motorcycles delivered worldwide. The Monster family, with 7,971 units sold, was also a great success, followed by the Scrambler Ducati 800 family with 6,880 bikes delivered.

These results add to the extraordinary triumphs achieved by Ducati in the racing world, which has seen the Bologna-based motorcycle manufacturer triumph in MotoGP and WorldSBK.

2022 was a record year also for the sales network, which continues to grow, getting closer and closer to Ducatisti around the world. At the end of 2022, there are 821 Ducati dealerships, the highest number ever, which, with the addition of the new markets Brunei, Ecuador, El Salvador and Mongolia, represent Ducati in as many as 96 markets.

For 2023, Ducati has presented to the public eight new models that complete an ever-wider range, able to offer all Ducatisti the most suitable bike to express their passion for two wheels. Among the most awaited models there are certainly the Multistrada V4 Rally, the bike for great travelers and the new Diavel V4, the model that won the “Most Beautiful Bike of the Show” award at EICMA. But also the second generation of Scrambler Ducati, which confirms the simplicity and authenticity that have always represented essential values for all Scrambler Ducati enthusiasts, becoming more contemporary, colorful and endowed with an even more lively personality.

To discover the entire Ducati 2023 range, visit the dedicated section on the Ducati.com website.

Dakar Rally: KTM’s Benavides Takes Overall Lead During Stage 10

David Swarts
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Dakar Rally: KTM’s Benavides Takes Overall Lead During Stage 10

KEVIN BENAVIDES LEADS THE DAKAR RALLY AFTER STAGE 10

Dakar Rally 2023 – Stage 10

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Kevin Benavides has placed fourth on today’s stage 10 of the 2023 Dakar Rally and moves into the provisional lead of the overall standings. Toby Price completed the day in 19th but still lies third overall, just two minutes back, while Matthias Walkner enjoyed a solid day on his KTM 450 RALLY, placing fifth.

Riders left the bivouac at 3:30am this morning to cover the 467-kilometer liaison that led them to the start of today’s timed special. Although short at 114 kilometers, the route raced against the clock was predominantly made up of rolling dunes, making navigation difficult and proving a real test of endurance for all competitors.

As the seventh rider into the special following his strong performance on stage nine, Kevin Benavides was in contention for the stage win right away. Carrying good speed over the sandy terrain, the 2021 Dakar winner was just 10 seconds down on the leader by kilometer 84. Losing a little time in the closing stages, Benavides dropped to fourth place as he crossed the line, one minute from the win. However, with times tight across the top 10, Kevin’s solid ride moved him into the lead of the rally, where he enjoys a one-and-a-half-minute advantage.

Kevin Benavides: “Today was really short, but really tough physically as it was raced all in the dunes. I started off in seventh position and just tried to keep a nice flow through all the dunes and it felt really good. I did have one crash where I went over the handlebars, but it seems it might have had a positive effect because I only lost about one minute and that means I set of fourth into tomorrow’s stage 11.”

After losing time in the desert yesterday following a navigational error, Matthias Walkner bounced back in style on stage 10. Posting the fifth fastest time on the demanding special, Walkner moves back inside the top 10 overall and will be aiming to elevate himself even higher over the remaining four days of racing.

Matthias Walkner: “I had a good day today. I really like this sort of terrain and was able to make up good time across the dunes. I wasn’t pushing too hard at first because I didn’t want to lose time like I did yesterday, but then towards the end I was able to increase my pace toward the finish. I’m feeling a lot stronger now, and coming in fifth today puts me in a good place for tomorrow’s marathon stage.”

Toby Price was the second rider to enter today’s special, and again, using his skill and experience to good effect, chose to navigate carefully through the dunes to minimize any costly errors. With the leaders’ times extremely close over the short special, Toby ultimately completed the day in 19th, but only eight minutes down on the leader. As such, the Aussie remains very much in contention near the top of the overall standings where he now lies third.

Toby Price: “Today was a long day – we were up at 2:30am, but then just a short special. I tried to pace myself a little today to make sure I didn’t make any big mistakes and to also get a good start for tomorrow’s longer stage. I dropped down a little in the standings, but didn’t lose too much time, and now hopefully I’m well-placed to attack tomorrow. So far so good.”

Thursday’s stage 11 marks the first half of the Empty Quarter marathon stage, where riders will spend the night in the desert and receive no outside help from their teams. Totaling 427 kilometers, the stage will include a dune-filled timed special of 274 kilometers.

Provisional Results – 2023 Dakar Rally, Stage 10

1. Ross Branch (BWA), Hero, 1:44:00

2. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA), Honda, 1:44:21

3. Michael Docherty (ZAF), Husqvarna, 1:44:30

4. Kevin Benavides (ARG), KTM, 1:45:00

5. Matthias Walkner (AUT), KTM, 1:45:22

Other KTM

7. Mason Klein (USA), KTM, 1:47:05 +3:05

19. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 1:52:16

 

Provisional Standings – 2023 Dakar Rally (after 10 of 14 stages)

1. Kevin Benavides (ARG), KTM, 35:16:06

2. Skyler Howes (USA), Husqvarna, 35:47:35 +1:29

3. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 35:48:16 +2:10

4. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA), Honda, 35:55:58 +9:52

5. Pablo Quintanilla (CHI), Honda, 36:01:04 +14:58

Other KTM

6. Mason Klein (USA), KTM, 36:01:44 +15:38

10. Matthias Walkner (AUT), KTM, 36:25:55 +39:49

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by Husqvarna Factory Racing:

SOLID DAY OPENING DAKAR STAGE 10 FOR LUCIANO BENAVIDES

HUSQVARNA FACTORY RACING RIDERS BENAVIDES AND HOWES COMPLETE DUNE-FILLED SPECIAL IN 13TH AND 18TH RESPECTIVELY

Winner on day nine, Luciano Benavides had the unenviable task of leading out into today’s 10th stage of the 2023 Dakar Rally. The Argentine racer did an impeccable job however, opening the stage from start to finish to ultimately post the 13th quickest time. Teammate Skyler Howes took a conservative approach to today’s special, minimising the chance of any navigational mistakes and ensuring an advantageous start position for Thursday’s first half of the marathon stage.

Continuing to deliver solid and calculated rides at this year’s Dakar, Luciano Benavides confidently took on the challenge of opening the first stage that entered the dunes of the Empty Quarter and excelled. Riding alone up front for the entire 114 kilometres, Benavides lost the minimum time to his rivals while also ensuring a strong start position for tomorrow. Completing the day in 13th, six minutes down on the eventual winner, Luciano retains his top-10 placing in the overall standings and is in the perfect position to attack tomorrow’s first leg of the marathon stage.

Also putting in a considered ride through the dunes today, Skyler Howes took some time to reacquaint himself with the Empty Quarter terrain and to ensure he made very little in the way of navigational errors. With Thursday’s stage 11 coming in at around twice the distance of today’s special, Skyler is fully aware of the importance of delivering a solid, mistake-free result on the way to the temporary bivouac of the marathon stage. Although Howes dropped down to second in the overall standings, he lies just one and a half minutes from the lead – time he hopes to make up tomorrow.

Luciano Benavides: “Today had a really long liaison in the morning – almost 500 kilometres ridden after a very early start. It was the first stage in the Empty Quarter and so it was full of dunes – very similar to the terrain seen in Abu Dhabi actually. I opened the whole stage and I think I did a good job. I picked up two minutes of bonus time, but of course you do lose a few minutes to the guys behind chasing the tracks. I pushed all day, trying to do my best, and I think I finished just inside the top 15, which gives me a good start position for tomorrow.”

Skyler Howes: “Yeah, we knew what we were getting into coming into the Empty Quarter with all the dunes. But today, with the special being so short, I wanted to make sure I was in a good position to push on tomorrow’s marathon stage. I took things a little easier today to get a feel for the dunes and just took things a little conservatively. I did have one awesome moment where I put on some style for the helicopter but messed up the landing. All was good though and now we have a much longer day of more dunes tomorrow – I’m looking forward to it.”

2023 Dakar Rally – Stage 10 Provisional Classification

1. Ross Branch (Hero) 1:44:00

2. Adrien Van Beveren (Honda) 1:44:21

3. Michael Docherty (Husqvarna) 1:44:30

4. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 1:45:00

5. Matthias Walkner (KTM) 1:45:22

6. Pablo Quintanilla (Honda) 1:46:43

…

13. Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) 1:50:18

18. Skyler Howes (Husqvarna) 1:51:38

 

2023 Dakar – Provisional Overall Classification [After Stage 10]

1. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 35:46:06

2. Skyler Howes (Husqvarna) 35:47:35

3. Toby Price (KTM) 35:48:16

4. Adrien Van Beveren (Honda) 35:55:58

5. Pablo Quintanilla (Honda) 36:01:04

6. Mason Klein (KTM) 36:01:44

…

8. Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) 36:07:50

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by GASGAS Factory Racing:

RED BULL GASGAS FACTORY RACING’S DANIEL SANDERS COMPLETES ANOTHER DAY AT THE DAKAR

CHUCKY MAINTAINS NINTH OVERALL AFTER SHORT AND FAST SPECIAL THROUGH SOME SERIOUSLY EPIC SAND DUNES

That’s stage 10 at the Dakar done and dusted for Daniel Sanders. With times at the top incredibly close due to today’s special being the shortest of the entire event, Sanders posted the 12th fastest time, finishing just over six minutes down on the stage winner. Perhaps not a great result on paper, it’s the overall time that matters most, and today Daniel clawed back vital seconds from the provisional leader while securing a perfect starting position for tomorrow’s first leg of the marathon stage. The race to the finish is just getting started.

Calculated ride through stage 10 for Daniel Sanders

Super-short special offers no chance for Chucky to make up time

The Dakar Rally marathon stage begins tomorrow

Daniel Sanders: “Yeah, today was pretty much full send in the dunes so that was fun, but with it being so short, something like 115 kilometers, today wasn’t the day to be making up too much time. It seems like this part of Saudi missed the rain we had during week one as the sand is dry and a lot softer, so it took me a little while to adjust to it. But all is good. I didn’t want to finish inside the top 10 today because of the marathon stage starting tomorrow so we’re a little bit back in the pack. That was the game plan though, so yeah, looking forward to seeing what we can do over the next couple of days.”

Knowing full well that today’s super-short special offered little to no chance of reeling in the leading riders in this year’s Dakar by a considerable amount, Sanders rode tactically. Able to stay on pace and make up a small amount of time, Chucky got just what he wanted after completing stage 10 – a very favorable start position for stage 11.

With the race now heading into the rolling sand dunes of the Empty Quarter, there’s far less reliance on navigation, with many more opportunities to ride wide open by simply following in the wheel tracks of the leading riders. And starting from 12th tomorrow, Sanders has high hopes of taking a big chunk of time out of those in front in the overall classification.

Results (provisional): Dakar Rally 2023, stage 10

1. Ross Branch (Hero) 1:44:00

2. Adrien Van Beveren (Honda) 1:44:21

3. Michael Docherty (Husqvarna) 1:44:30

12. Daniel Sanders (GASGAS) 1:50:02

 

Overall Provisional Classification (after stage 10)

1. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 35:46:06

2. Skyler Howes (Husqvarna) 35:47:35

3. Toby Price (KTM) 35:48:16

9. Daniel Sanders (GASGAS) 36:09:46

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by Monster Energy Honda Racing:

A GOOD FEELING ON ARRIVAL IN SHAYBAH

After 11 days (prologue and 10 stages), the Dakar Rally 2023 made a drastic change heading southeast. Monster Energy Honda Team riders José Ignacio Cornejo (CL), Adrien Van Beveren (FR) and Pablo Quintanilla (CL) had an early wake up call around 3:00 am. In less than one hour they were ready to start the 10th stage, leaving Haradh in the direction of Shaybah with a quite unusual liaison of 508 kilometers!

Leaving the rain and cold days behind, this special section was just an appetizer of 114 km of sand and started a few minutes before 10 in the morning. As the ASO organization explained, this is a deliberate approach into the limits of the Empty Quarter. This was certainly a good day for Honda, after a consistent performance from all riders. Van Beveren got the silver medal with second position on this short and technical stage, just 21 seconds after the leader. In the overall standings, the Frenchman kept his fourth place (9:52 minutes gap to the leader). Pablo Quintanilla was sixth and also kept his position in the overall standings: 5th place (14:58 minutes gap to the leader). José Ignacio Cornejo reached the bivouac in eighth position and managed to climb one stair in the overall standings (now he is 7th with a 20:42 gap to the leader).

Tomorrow it’s time for a key and much expected moment of the race: the marathon stage at the famous Empty Quarter. The counter will mark 4,000 kilometers of specials right after the start, taking the race into extreme endurance territory. Along the 273 km of the selective section (added by a liaison of 151 km) there will be sand dunes of every color. The importance of this challenge –  the marathon stage – is that the riders will be on their own in terms of assistance: reaching the bivouac at the end of the day there won’t be any mechanics or external help.

Ruben Faria

General Manager

“We have reached a decisive part of the rally and our riders felt quite well in the transition for the southeast landscapes. I know this was just a short introduction for the sandy days to come, but I am very happy with the performance of our riders. All of them – Adrien, Pablo and Nacho – are almost natural born riders of the sand. They love the sand and the dunes and all of them have a special connection with this environment. Tomorrow conditions will be even harder, with a longer stage and no assistance. I am quite confident in our riders and in our Honda’s CRF 450 Rally, we are here to fight for the top standings until the last day”.

Adrien Van Beveren  42

“This was a good day for me, much better than yesterday for sure. I gave everything, trying to be fast riding on the dunes – a terrain that I love. I really push and I am happy with the outcome. I am ok physically, unfortunately it was only one hundred and fourteen kilometers but we have more chances in the coming days.”

Pablo Quintanilla  7

“This was another long, long day. The stage was short but the rhythm was very high. I am glad tomorrow I will have some riders opening in the front, this can be a changing moment for the race. It will be a tremendous effort for us and for the bikes, because we are already racing for 10 days and that is quite intense. I am in full shape and keen to keep fighting”.

José Ignacio Cornejo  11

“It was a good stage. It was a short stage but very physical. I was riding, pushing and trying to be safe at the same time. In this terrain we can not be overconfident because that’s when mistakes happen. I’m happy with my performance and have a good feeling, so I am ready to keep on fighting in the depths of the Empty Quarter”.

 

 

 

 

GASGAS Bicycles Bringing E-Mountain Bikes To North America

David Swarts
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0
GASGAS Bicycles Bringing E-Mountain Bikes To North America

SAY HELLO TO GASGAS BICYCLES’ E-MTB LINEUP IN NORTH AMERICA!

EXCITING 11-BIKE PEDAL-ASSIST MOUNTAIN BIKE RANGE EXPANDS THE GASGAS FAMILY

We’re super excited to announce the arrival of GASGAS Bicycles with a robust lineup of 2023 eMTB bicycles. Introducing 11 pedal-assist mountain bikes, we’ve used our technical know-how, experience, and passion to create a range of bikes to suit everyone, enabling riders to hit the trails and seek out fun and adventure.

GASGAS Bicycles hit the North American trails!

11-bike Enduro, Trail, Light Trail and Cross Country lineup

As the third bicycle brand to launch under the PIERER New Mobility North America, Inc. umbrella, GASGAS Bicycles is on a mission to introduce a new dimension of offroad fun to all through our energetic and vibrant, daring – yet welcoming – brand approach. Riding on the action-led success and philosophy of GASGAS in the off-road motorcycle racing and trial competition segments, GASGAS Bicycles challenges riders and enthusiasts to experience off-road trails like they have never done before – via powerful E-Bicycles inspired and engineered to thrill and excite.

 

A GASGAS Light Trail 3.0 electric mountain bike in action. Photo courtesy GASGAS.
A GASGAS Light Trail 3.0 electric mountain bike. Photo courtesy GASGAS.

At the pinnacle of our model lineup is the all-new G Light Trail category with two lightweight trail models featuring an ultra-light carbon frame. If you want the light, playful, super-agile feeling that traditional mountain bikes offer, but still want helpful pedal-assist support to kick in when you need it most, that’s what the G Light Trail does best! Specified with a slightly smaller motor and battery that are tucked into a super-lightweight carbon frame, every crucial ounce is saved to keep this ride feeling as close to an analog MTB as possible. All this design and engineering work is done to bridge the gap and strike the balance between pedal-assisted and human-powered fun. Both the 2.0 and 3.0 feature a 29” wheel paring and 150mm of travel that smooth out the roughest terrain and enough power when you need – without carry too much weight – to remain playful and flickable. Just a good time.

 

A GASGAS Light Trail 3.0 electric mountain bike in action. Photo courtesy GASGAS.
A GASGAS Light Trail 3.0 electric mountain bike. Photo courtesy GASGAS.

For hardcore eMTB riders, the Enduro and Trail models will definitely get the blood pumping! Put simply, the Enduro is a must have for those serious about downhill fun. With state-of-the-art mounted motors and internal batteries helping to flatten out the steepest of climbs, its long-travel suspension, slack geometry and mixed wheel sizes ensure the rowdiest of trails can be confidently tamed. The G Enduro lineup includes three aluminum-framed weapons built for long days rocking rough trails and terrain. Depending on your style, there’s a ride for you in the G Enduro range. The 1.0 comes in what is affectionately called a mullet-build, 29” in the front and 27.5” in the back. This combo offers decerning riders better cornering by virtue of the smaller rear wheel, while the bigger front keeps you rolling through the rock gardens. A steeper head tube angle works with the whole configuration for faster steering and responsiveness, delivering cornering mastery. On the other end of the G Enduro spectrum, the aluminum frame on the 2.0 and 3.0 dominates the gnarliest terrain with next-level straight-line stability. Developed to impress with an optimized frame geometry on 29” wheels, they combine a slacker head tube angle and a shortened rear frame for the right blend of stability and agility. Throw in a bigger battery and longer fork travel, and you’re ready to ride any line!

 

A GASGAS Enduro 3.0 electric mountain bike in action. Photo courtesy GASGAS.
A GASGAS Enduro 3.0 electric mountain bike. Photo courtesy GASGAS.

 

If big, open, mountain adventures are your passion, our Trail eMTB is the bike for you. The full-suspension eMTB is built to tackle rides where climbing and descending is the name of the game – those super fun singletrack trails and exposed mountain-side tracks that put the biggest smiles on riders’ faces. In three right-for-the-ride configurations, choose from the 130mm 1.0 or 150mm 2.0, both built around a weight-optimized alloy frame providing outstanding performance for an incredible price. Looking to smash the big hits and then flick the bike into the corners? The 3.0 is the 150mm-travel, do-it-all bike with an ultralight carbon frame paired with an aluminum triangle—adding a touch of durability against rock strikes. The G Trail lineup delivers the perfect mix of travel and compact build to take your ride everywhere, conquering aggressive or smooth terrain with ease. And with 630Wh of power turning a 70 Nm motor, keep the ride going climb after climb. Big battery. Big motor. Big smiles.

 

A GASGAS Trail 3.0 electric mountain bike in action. Photo courtesy GASGAS.
A GASGAS Trail 3.0 electric mountain bike. Photo courtesy GASGAS.

A perfect entry point to eMTB, our G Cross Country features an aluminum 6061, weight-optimized frame in a hardtail build, allowing you to own steep inclines or blast out of corners thanks to its outstanding pedaling efficiency and reduced weight. The 27.5” configuration and compact design of the G Cross Country 1.0 is perfect for smaller riders looking for a confidence-inspiring ride, while the 29” setup on the 2.0 and 3.0 bikes eats up rough terrain. The idea behind the G Cross Country lineup is simple, provide a great entry point into the sport and the world of pedal-assist performance at a great price. Then all you have to focus on is having fun! If that fun includes a top-shelf component group, the 3.0, which still comes in at an amazing price, it provides those added features needed for pushing personal limits and, with a 630Wh battery capacity, doing it for longer. If you don’t need full suspension and want to save the weight but still want an incredible ride in the pits or on the trail, the G Cross Country has you covered.

All of our GASGAS Bicycles proudly feature a state-of-the-art motor at the heart of their build; these drive units are tried and trusted across the mountain biking community and boast cutting-edge technology.

Customers can already see the first GASGAS Bicycles products in authorized dealers in the U.S. today, and in Canada this February/March, with continued delivery of new products arriving throughout 2023.

For more information on the new range of GASGAS Bicycles, contact your local GASGAS Bicycles dealer.

Honda Announces Eight Returning Models For 2023

David Swarts
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Honda Announces Eight Returning Models For 2023

Honda Announces Diverse Range of Returning Motorcycle Models

January 10, 2023 — ALPHARETTA, Georgia

Eight 2023 models included in first announcement of new calendar year

Sport, standard, adventure, dual sport and cruiser categories represented

In its first product announcement of the new calendar year, American Honda confirmed the return of eight motorcycle models across the sport, standard, adventure, dual sport and cruiser categories. Each of the eight returning models is capable of delivering a wide range of riding experiences, and taken as a whole, the group highlights the diversity of Honda’s motorcycle offerings.

With a deserved reputation for delivering value-focused but adrenaline-inducing fun, the CBR650R and CBR500R sport bikes are back, as are the CB1000R, CB650R and CB500F naked bikes. Extending the value-conscious theme to riders who enjoy venturing beyond the pavement’s end, the CB500X adventure bike and XR650L dual-sport machine are remarkably capable models. Meanwhile, the Fury continues its tradition of head-turning head style with an iconic V-twin sound, for the ultimate cruiser experience.

CB1000R

 

A 2023 Honda CB1000R. Photo courtesy American Honda.
A 2023 Honda CB1000R. Photo courtesy American Honda.

 

Known as much for its eye-catching design as its versatility, the CB1000R touts both flair and function. Aggressive on the road and in the parking lot, this naked bike stops traffic on coffee-shop runs, but its powerful engine and nimble handling make it a great choice for the canyons as well.

MSRP: $12,999

Color: Black

Available: February

Info

 

CBR650R

 

A 2023 Honda CBR650R. Photo courtesy American Honda.
A 2023 Honda CBR650R. Photo courtesy American Honda.

 

Few experiences can match ripping through a canyon on a sport bike, and the CBR650R delivers that thrill to a wide spectrum of riders. To achieve the ideal mix of practicality and performance, this model has a high-quality Showa Separate Function Big Piston fork, stylish aesthetics and up-to-date emissions technology. With a finely tuned chassis delivering light, responsive handling, and a high-revving inline four-cylinder engine that offers enjoyable power, the middleweight CBR650R is exciting to ride and a pleasure to own, a gratifying intersection of values for the modern sport bike rider.

MSRP: $9,899

Color: Grand Prix Red

Available: February

Info

 

CB650R

 

A 2023 Honda CB650R. Photo courtesy American Honda.
A 2023 Honda CB650R. Photo courtesy American Honda.

 

Honda has a long history of creating iconic middleweight standards, and that continues with the CB650R. Featuring a Showa Separate Function Big Piston fork, excellent emissions performance, stylish aesthetics and comfortable ergonomics, this middleweight model is ideally suited for everything from daily commutes to weekend outings on canyon backroads. A naked bike with looks that match its impressive performance, the CB650R touts ample power and a smooth delivery.

MSRP: $9,399

Color: Matte Gray Metallic

Available: February

Info

 

CBR500R

 

A 2023 Honda CBR500R. Photo courtesy American Honda.
A 2023 Honda CBR500R. Photo courtesy American Honda.

 

The CBR500R has become a staple for riders looking for the excitement of a sportbike in a smaller package. Featuring aggressive CBR styling and a snappy, parallel-twin-cylinder engine, the lightweight CBR500R is a sensible fit for everyone from beginners looking for their first bike to veteran riders seeking a fun ride, as it delivers unmatched fun at an affordable price.

MSRP: $7,299

Colors: Grand Prix Red; Sword Silver Metallic

Available: Summer 2023

Info

 

CB500F

 

A 2023 Honda CB500F. Photo courtesy American Honda.
A 2023 Honda CB500F. Photo courtesy American Honda.

 

Honed through decades of iconic Honda CB models, the CB500F has proven itself as an enjoyable and reliable naked bike for veteran and rookie riders alike. Mixing light weight and nimble handling with a smooth power delivery, the CB500F is a capable commuting tool that’s also ready for weekend outings or bike nights. Exceptionally versatile, the CB500F is proof that minimalist looks needn’t come at a price that breaks the bank.

MSRP: $6,799

Color: Matte Gray Metallic

Available: February

Info

 

CB500X

 

A 2023 Honda CB500X. Photo courtesy American Honda.
A 2023 Honda CB500X. Photo courtesy American Honda.

 

Designed and developed to address the disparate requirements of adventure riding while still delivering exceptional value, the CB500X is an exceptional urban commuter that’s also ready for off-road excursions and even canyon-riding outings. The essence of a modern mid-displacement adventure machine, the CB500X is both practical and rewarding to ride, and truly adventure-ready.

MSRP: $7,299

Color: Peal Organic Green

Available: February

Info

 

XR650L

 

A 2023 Honda XR650L. Photo courtesy American Honda.
A 2023 Honda XR650L. Photo courtesy American Honda.

 

A truly legendary machine—thanks in part to its proud Baja heritage—Honda’s tried-and-true XR650L continues to be a hit with dual-sport customers. Highly versatile, the model opens doors to adventure on single-track trails, dirt roads and backroads, while also delivering capable and affordable transportation in the city. It’s a combination of characteristics that promises to continue the XR650L’s popularity for years to come.

MSRP: $6,999

Color: White

Available: January

Info

 

FURY

 

A 2023 Honda Fury. Photo courtesy American Honda.
A 2023 Honda Fury. Photo courtesy American Honda.

 

Guaranteed to turn heads with its extreme, chopper-style design, the Fury nonetheless touts characteristics one naturally expects from a Honda—namely, functionality, finish, performance and stellar handling. Riders will appreciate the 1,312cc liquid-cooled V-twin engine that sounds as good as it looks, as well as adjustable front and rear suspension, but what will stop bystanders in their tracks are the hard-tail styling and raked-out front end, which make this cruiser a rolling work of art.

MSRP: $11,499

Color: Pearl Yellow

Available: January

Info

MotoAmerica: 3D Motorsports Signs Black And Jigalov

David Swarts
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0
MotoAmerica: 3D Motorsports Signs Black And Jigalov

3D Motorsports signs Jigalov and Black

3D Motorsports, Damian Jigalov, and Chase Black have inked a deal to race together in the 2023 MotoAmerica Championship. Jigalov will pilot a Suzuki GSX-R750 in Supersport as well as in the Daytona 200. Black will race an Aprilia RS 660 in Twins Cup.

3D Motorsports owner Dominguez commented, “We are excited to have Damian on the team. He has been on the podium in MotoAmerica Junior Cup and had a great year in WERA. We think we can grow and learn together and push to the front.

“Also, we have Chase, a great kid who I have watched grow as a rider over the years. We are excited to see Chase turn heads in Twins Cup after a very impressive test.”

Jigalov said, “I can’t wait to get started with 3D Motorsports! Big thank you to Dustin Dominguez for the opportunity. It feels great knowing that I will be part of the MotoAmerica paddock again with a chance to show what I’m capable of. Thank you to my previous sponsors MRCBX.com, Arch Motorcycles, Kaming Ko, and DSP MOTORSPORTS for getting me to this point.”

 

3D Motorsports' Dustin Dominguez (left) with Chase Black (right). Photo courtesy 3D Motorsports.
3D Motorsports’ Dustin Dominguez (left) with Chase Black (right). Photo courtesy 3D Motorsports.

 

Black commented, “It truly has been an amazing opportunity to receive this offer from the the 3D Motorsports team. Getting to watch the owner and crew chief Dustin Dominguez ride and win championships at the highest level, just for him to find his way to me. Super excited to have this amazing crew chief and soon-to-be-teammates to lead me through my third year in professional racing.”

3D Motorsports would like to thank its partners Btec Turbines, 4SR, Blud Lubricants, Orient Express, K-Tech, CG Law, M4, Drippin’ Wet, AF1 Racing, Oklahoma Honda and Suzuki, Raceworx, and 3D Beaty.

Dakar Rally: Benavides Wins Stage Nine, American Howes Keeps Overall Lead

David Swarts
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0
Dakar Rally: Benavides Wins Stage Nine, American Howes Keeps Overall Lead

STAGE NINE WIN FOR LUCIANO BENAVIDES AT 2023 DAKAR RALLY

HUSQVARNA FACTORY RACING RIDER CLAIMS HIS SECOND STAGE WIN OF THE EVENT AS

SKYLER HOWES CONTINUES TO LEAD THE OVERALL

Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Luciano Benavides has topped day nine of the Dakar Rally. Securing his second stage win of the 2023 event, the Argentinian delivered a masterclass of rally racing, only dropping to second for a short distance before powering his FR 450 Rally home to post the fastest time. The result moves Benavides from 11th to seventh.

On a tough day at the Dakar, with difficult navigation and challenging terrain, Husqvarna Factory Racing excelled with both riders completing the special inside the top three. It was Benavides, setting off 21st into the stage that came out on top. The number 77 focused carefully on his road book and didn’t make the same mistakes as many of his rivals to lead the timesheets for the majority of the 358 kilometres raced against the clock. Happy with his result, his performance, and the feel of his machine, Luciano will now open Wednesday’s 624-kilometre stage 10 from Haradh to Shaybah.

Starting two places ahead of his teammate, Skyler Howes also put in a great ride to secure a third-place result. Losing a couple of minutes while trying to find one particular waypoint meant that the American was soon caught by Benavides, and from there the two pushed hard toward the refuelling stop and then on to the finish. Skyler retains his lead in the overall standings and will have the opportunity to chase down the second-placed rider on tomorrow’s stage 10.

Luciano Benavides: “I’m really happy. I cannot believe I won again, and to be the first rider at this Dakar to win twice feels incredible. It was a really hard stage with a lot of navigation – you really had to focus on your road book to make sure you didn’t make any mistakes. There were a lot of broken tracks and different lines, so it was easy to take a slightly wrong line. Now I am opening the stage tomorrow, so it will be full gas all the way to the finish.”

Skyler Howes: “The stage today was pretty tricky. We hit a section where we were missing one waypoint and it was in a place deep with stones and a lot of mud. It was tough to navigate through there and I knew we were going off the CAP heading a little, so I had to circle around to get back on track. Luciano caught up with me then and riding together we really put the charge on, partly because I thought I had lost a lot more time than I had. We did a good job all the way from the refuelling to the finish. The ground out there was incredible – there’s been so much rain, in some places it was like riding through giant rivers. It’s been a challenging day and I’m sure there will be plenty more to come as we make our way to the end.”

2023 Dakar Rally – Stage 9 Provisional Classification

1. Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) 3:18:44

2. Toby Price (KTM) 3:19:46

3. Skyler Howes (Husqvarna) 3:21:41

4. Jose Ignacio Cornejo (Honda) 3:24:56

5. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 3:26:37

6. Toni Mulec (Husqvarna) 3:27:30

 

2023 Dakar – Provisional Overall Classification [After Stage 9]

1. Skyler Howes (Husqvarna) 33:55:57

2. Toby Price (KTM) 33:56:00

3. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 34:01:06

4. Adrien Van Beveren (Honda) 34:11:37

5. Pablo Quintanilla (Honda) 34:14:21

6. Mason Klein (KTM) 34:14:39

…

7. Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) 34:17:32

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by KTM Factory Racing:

RUNNER-UP RESULT FOR TOBY PRICE ON STAGE NINE OF DAKAR RALLY

Dakar Rally 2023 – Stage 9

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Toby Price has posted the second quickest time on today’s stage nine at the 2023 Dakar Rally, moving up to second overall in the provisional standings, just three seconds from the lead. Kevin Benavides also delivered a strong stage, completing the special as fifth fastest, he now lies third overall. Matthias Walkner sits 11th overall following a tough day in the Saudi desert.

Fresh from their rest day, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing riders came into the 686-kilometer stage nine looking to secure strong results on the long, 358-kilometer timed special. With the first half of the stage made up of riverbeds and canyons, navigating cleanly proved difficult for a lot of riders. The second half of the special opened into a wide expanse of dunes on the way to the bivouac at Haradh.

Racing inside the top two on time for the entire stage today, Toby Price put in an excellent ride that saw him finish the stage as runner-up. Coming in just over one minute behind the winner, Price’s performance saw him move up to second overall in the provisional standings, just three seconds back. The two-time Dakar champion will now follow today’s winner into Wednesday’s stage 10, aiming to minimize the time lost to the chasing pack.

Toby Price: “Yeah, it’s been a good day for me. It looks like the boys in front got lost just before the refuel. I navigated through there really good, so that meant I was able to make up some minutes. I just tried to push on a bit today, I was trying really hard to keep up a fast pace but not make any big mistakes. All in all, I felt really good today, it’s nice to feel fresh after the rest day. It looks like tomorrow will be mostly all sand, so we’ll try our best there and see where we end up.”

Also producing a solid result on day nine, despite a small navigational error early on, Kevin Benavides celebrated his recent birthday in style by placing fifth on today’s stage. The 34-year-old had moved into third place by kilometer 85, but then lost several minutes trying to find one particularly tricky-to-navigate waypoint. Although Kevin lost his second-place overall position to teammate Price, he still lies in third, just over five minutes behind the leader.

Kevin Benavides: “Today was a really hard stage with a lot of navigation. I tried my best to make a good pace and focus on my road book. I pushed really hard right from the beginning but then lost a bit of time with a really complicated note in the road book – thankfully not as much as some of the riders ahead of me. After that I pushed on towards the finish and had a good, trouble-free ride. I’m pleased with my result today, so we’ll see how things go tomorrow.”

Falling foul of the same complicated note on the road book as Benavides, Matthias Walkner struggled for longer as he tried to find the waypoint and as such dropped around 20 minutes on his rivals. Pushing hard for the remainder of the special, Walkner was able to regain a number of places to ultimately complete the stage in 27th. He now lies 11th in the overall standings.

Matthias Walkner: “It was a really hard stage for me today. Although I tried to give it my all, I got lost at one point and that cost me a lot of time. Not the best day for me at all. I spent most of the day riding on my own, so it was difficult to judge my pace, too. It’s frustrating because I feel stronger with my wrist, but it was just that one small mistake that has cost me some minutes. I’ll try my best tomorrow and keep on pushing to the finish.”

Wednesday’s stage 10 from Haradh to Shaybah will see riders cover a total distance of 624 kilometers, with a relatively short 114-kilometer timed special raced against the clock.

Provisional Results – 2023 Dakar Rally, Stage 9

1. Luciano Benavides (ARG), Husqvarna, 3:18:44

2. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 3:19:46 +1:02

3. Skyler Howes (USA), Husqvarna, 3:21:41 +2:57

4. Jose Ignacio Cornejo (CHI), Honda, 3:24:56 +6:12

5. Kevin Benavides (ARG), KTM, 3:26:37 +7:53

Other KTM

27. Matthias Walkner (AUT), KTM, 3:43:42 +24:58

 

Provisional Standings – 2023 Dakar Rally (after 9 of 14 stages)

1. Skyler Howes (USA), Husqvarna, 33:55:57

2. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 33:56:00 +0:03

3. Kevin Benavides (ARG), KTM, 34:01:06 +5:09

4. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA), Honda, 34:11:37 +15:40

5. Pablo Quintanilla (CHI), Honda, 34:14:21 +18:24

Other KTM

11. Matthias Walkner (AUT), KTM, 34:40:33 +44:36

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by GASGAS Factory Racing:

CHALLENGING DAY IN THE DESERT FOR SANDERS AS STAGE NINE SERVES UP SOME TESTING NAVIGATION

RED BULL GASGAS FACTORY RACING’S DANIEL SANDERS DIGS DEEP TO COMPLETE THE SPECIAL AND REMAINS POSITIVE ABOUT THE DAYS AHEAD

In rally racing, anything can, and often does, happen. And today was one of those days for Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Daniel Sanders. Faced with the arduous task of helping to lead out on stage nine after his runner-up finish on stage eight, Chucky frustratingly lost a substantial amount of time in a rocky plateau early on in the 358km special and would ultimately go on to finish in 20th place. Despite the challenging day in the saddle, importantly, Daniel is over the sickness bug which derailed his week-one charge and is now fighting fit and ready to attack, starting with tomorrow’s stage 10.

Week two of the Dakar begins with a frustrating start

Daniel lies ninth overall after challenging special stage

Stage 10 up next and it’s set to be a sandy one!

Daniel Sanders: “Today was always going to be tough leading out and early on I quickly caught up with the leading riders. There was a note in the roadbook to head up into a rocky plateau but once up there it was really hard to find the way. I reckon I lost around 15 minutes or so there, but that’s how rally goes sometimes. It’s a little frustrating but all I can do is keep moving forward and I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”

Eager to kick off week two with another solid stage result, Daniel maintained a blistering pace through the early part of the ninth special in his bid to lose the least amount of time as possible to his rivals, who all benefitted from following the tire tracks left in the sand by his awesome RX 450F. But as is sometimes the way in rally, navigating through unridden, rocky terrain with minimal roadbook instructions can be seriously tough. Nevertheless, despite knowing he was losing time, Sanders remained cool, eventually finding the right way. After that it was full gas to the finish line!

Results (provisional): Dakar Rally 2023, stage 9

1. Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) 3:18:44

2. Toby Price (KTM) 3:19:46

3. Skyler Howes (Husqvarna) 3:21:41

20. Daniel Sanders (GASGAS) 3:38:25

 

Overall Provisional Classification (after stage 9)

1. Skyler Howes (Husqvarna) 33:55:57

2. Toby Price (KTM) 33:56:00

3. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 34:01:06

9. Daniel Sanders (GASGAS) 34:19:44

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by Monster Energy Honda Team:

A HARD DAY FOR THE TEAM REACHING HARADH

Back to the action after the rest day, the Dakar Rally entered its last week in the deserts of Saudi Arabia. Stage number nine made the connection between Riyadh and Haradh, with a special stage of 359 kilometers and a liaison of 328 km. Wadis, canyons and dunes were the ingredients of a day where navigation was once again a key factor of success.

Monster Energy Honda Team had a hard day but keeps a strong position in the top ten. Jose Ignacio Cornejo, who is doing here his seventh Dakar, was today the fastest one of the squad. He finished in fifth place (6:12 minutes gap to the leader) and managed to climb some steps in the overall standings, where he sits now in eighth position. On his eighth Dakar Rally, Adrien Van Beveren reached Haradh in the 14th position (15:48 minutes gap to the leader) but did not compromise his ranking in the overall standings (4th place). Pablo Quintanilla is the most experienced of the team, he started the Dakar Rally back in 2013 and was second last year. He finished today’s stage in 18th position (18:36 minutes gap to the leader) and will start stage number 10 in the 5th place of the overall standings.

Tomorrow is time to move in the direction of Shaybah to race the 10th stage of the race. This selective section has been kept deliberately short – just 114 kilometers – as an approach into the bowels of the Empty Quarter. A long liaison (508 km) will take up most of the day, so this true appetizer will be mainly composed of the local delicacy: sand.

Ruben Faria

General Manager

“This was a difficult stage for Monster Energy Honda Team in the comeback from the rest day. Nacho Cornejo did very well and managed to approach himself to the top contenders and shorten his gap climbing one step in the overall standings. Adrien and Pablo had quite a hard day opening the track. They know how it is in the Dakar when you are in those circumstances. I know they did their best and were both able to keep positions in the overall standings, losing some time but still in a very good position to say a word in the discussion for this year’s title”.

José Ignacio Cornejo  11

“This was the first stage after the rest day. Navigation was kind of tricky, we started with some dunes then some rocky piste. I was feeling pretty good from the beginning, made no navigation mistakes and was riding at a good pace. Then I crashed, not too fast, but got stuck under the bike and damaged the road-book. I have to thank Santolino because he was there and helped me. I lost some minutes, but not too much and managed to continue at a good pace. ”

Adrien Van Beveren  42

“This was a hard day for me. I started fifth and at around kilometer one hundred the navigation was tricky in the big plateau and it was difficult to see the tracks. Then I found the waypoint and then we were all five riders together. Mason was riding without a road-book very close to me and around 20 km from the end he came from behind and we both crashed. So I am glad I could make it to the end of the stage.”

Pablo Quintanilla  7

“This was a tough day for us, the ones who were riding in front. I caught the group in front at around 120 km. There was a tricky note in the road-book close to a plateau and I lost 2 or 3 minutes there. Then Adrien caught me and we were riding together until the end. It was really difficult today, because the road-book had a lot of different directions. We knew we were going to lose some time. It is always easier when you come from behind. The Dakar is like this, sometimes you get a good position, others you just don’t”.

American Flat Track: KTM Continuing With Kopp & Whale In AFT Singles

David Swarts
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American Flat Track: KTM Continuing With Kopp & Whale In AFT Singles

RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING TEAM SET TO DEFEND AFT SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP IN 2023

REIGNING CHAMPION KODY KOPP JOINED BY TEAMMATE MAX WHALE ONCE AGAIN

January 10, 2023

MURRIETA, Calif. – A new racing season is underway in 2023 and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Flat Track team has been hard at work preparing for the upcoming American Flat Track Championship. Reigning AFT Singles Champion, Kody Kopp, will proudly display the No. 1 plate aboard his KTM 450 SX-F in 2023 as he returns to defend his first title in the class, alongside fierce championship contender and teammate, Max Whale.

With Kopp leading the charge in 2022, the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing duo amassed eight race-wins and 10 podium finishes in AFT Singles competition, delivering two top-five finishes in the overall championship standings. For the now 18-year-old Kopp, championship management was in full effect through the latter half of the year, and he did what he needed to do to clinch his first-career title in his first year with the team. Showcasing impressive speed and skill across all tracks and racing conditions, Kopp has his sights set on upping the ante in 2023.

Kody Kopp: “The 2023 season is here and so are the new KTM 450 SX-Fs! I am really liking the new bike and I am confident we are going to pick up right where we left off in 2022, with winning the AFT Singles Championship. It’s the first time in my career that I will get to run the #1 plate and I don’t have plans on letting go of it anytime soon.”

 

Kody Kopp (1), the defending AFT Singles Champion. Photo courtesy KTM Factory Racing.
Kody Kopp (1), the defending AFT Singles Champion. Photo courtesy KTM Factory Racing.

Heading into his third year with the team, Whale looks to build upon his strong showing in the first two seasons aboard the KTM 450 SX-F. The aussie came out swinging in 2022, finishing on the podium in four of the first five races, before a mid-season knee injury kept him off the grid for two rounds. Clawing his way back to the center of the podium with a significant win at the Peoria TT, Whale finished the season strong with a top-five overall.

Max Whale: “The 2023 season, what’s there not to be excited for? The team is on the all-new and improved 2023 KTM 450 SX-F. We have the same team as last year, so I’m super excited. Kody and I had a great year last year, we were both inside the top five with Kody winning the championship. Missing a few rounds definitely hurt my overall points, but needless to say, our team was the most dominant singles team there was. To say I’m more than excited for next year is an understatement. I’m definitely working as hard as I can, and I just want to be on top in 2023. I have one goal for next year and that’s to win the championship.”

 

Max Whale (18). Photo courtesy KTM Factory Racing.
Max Whale (18). Photo courtesy KTM Factory Racing.

Chris Fillmore: “Our plan remains the same for 2023 – to win races and take the championship. We had a very successful 2022 season in terms of race results, which is something for our entire team to be proud of. We expect that the other teams will be working even harder, so it will not come easily for us, but we will take what was learned from the past season and push forward. Kody will now be starting his sophomore season on the team with the confidence and expectation to lead the pack. Max, without the mid-season injury would have finished second overall in 2022, and I know his focus is set on the top spot. We’re moving to a newest generation KTM 450 SX-F for 2023 and from early tests, the riders feel that this bike is better in every way for Flat Track. So, only time will tell, but we will work hard over the winter break and anxiously await the start of the season in Daytona.”

For more information on the American Flat Track Championship, please visit their website www.americanflattrack.com.

Dakar Rally: Benavides Wins, Howes Retakes Overall Lead During Stage 11

Skyler Howes (11). Photo courtesy Husqvarna Factory Racing.

STAGE 11 WIN FOR LUCIANO BENAVIDES AT 2023 DAKAR RALLY

HUSQVARNA FACTORY RACING RIDER TAKES HIS THIRD STAGE VICTORY OF THE EVENT AS TEAMMATE SKYLER HOWES REGAINS THE RACE LEAD

On a hugely successful day 11 in the Saudi desert for Husqvarna Factory Racing, Luciano Benavides has claimed his third stage win of the event and in turn advances to sixth place overall in the event’s provisional overall standings. Leading those standings after an impressive ride to fourth place on today’s stage, Skyler Howes now holds a narrow 28-second lead at the top of the timesheets.

Marking the first half of the event’s marathon stage, deep into the Empty Quarter region, day 11 at Dakar saw riders complete a timed special of 274 kilometres, predominantly made up of a seemingly endless expanse of dunes. Of the two Husqvarna Factory Racing teammates it was Luciano Benavides who mastered the terrain the best, posting the fastest time to kilometre 63 and pushing hard from then on. Taking the stage win by an impressive one minute and 38 seconds also moves Luciano higher in the overall standings to sixth, where he trails rally leader and teammate Skyler Howes by 18 minutes.

Handling the pressure perfectly, Howes set off as the 18th rider into the special and immediately began to make up time on those ahead of him. Swapping the top two positions with his teammate for the first half of the stage, a few minor issues later on cost the American a little time, but he was still able to bring his FR 450 Rally safely back to the bivouac in fourth place. Retaking the overall rally lead and holding a near-30-second advantage over second-placed Toby Price, Howes will have the added benefit of chasing down his nearest rival on Friday’s stage 12.

Luciano Benavides: “It was a really, really nice stage. I enjoyed racing through the dunes and was able to make up good time, too. There was a big variety today, some of the dunes were really big and in between the ground was very hard to judge as well, with lots of softer areas that could catch you out. The navigation was not too difficult today, the challenge came from trying to find the fastest line through the dunes. I did a good job and was able to make up some more time, which is great. I’m leading out again tomorrow and I’m really looking forward to the challenge.”

Skyler Howes: “It was a really fast stage today with lots of dunes – lots of big dunes! I found a good rhythm out there and was making good progress. I did get stuck in the soft sand on a couple of dunes and had to turn around to attack those again. There was one waypoint that I had to circle around to get properly as well. The bike is in great condition, which is great for the marathon stage, I just need to stay focused because the times in the standings are really close. I think it’s going to be like this all the way to the finish, which makes it pretty exciting.”

2023 Dakar Rally – Stage 11 Provisional Classification

1. Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) 2:57:59

2. Daniel Sanders (GASGAS) 2:59:37

3. Toby Price (KTM) 2:59:55

4. Skyler Howes (Husqvarna) 3:00:08

5. Pablo Quintanilla (Honda) 3:00:53

6. Sebastian Buhler (Hero) 3:03:05

 

2023 Dakar – Provisional Overall Classification [After Stage 11]

1. Skyler Howes (Husqvarna) 38:47:43

2. Toby Price (KTM) 38:48:11

3. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 38:50:27

4. Pablo Quintanilla (Honda) 39:01:57

5. Adrien Van Beveren (Honda) 39:03:07

6. Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) 39:05:49

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by KTM Factory Racing:

THIRD-PLACE RESULT FOR TOBY PRICE ON STAGE 11 AT DAKAR RALLY

Dakar Rally 2023 – Stage 11

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Toby Price has completed the first half of the Dakar Rally’s Empty Quarter marathon stage as third fastest. The impressive result moves him back into second place in the overall standings, just 28 seconds down on the leader. Kevin Benavides rode to a solid 10th place today and drops two spots to third in the standings, while Matthias Walkner successfully defended his 10th place overall after his performance through the Saudi dunes.

Leading competitors from Shaybah to the bivouac in the Empty Quarter, today’s stage 11 delivered 274-kilometers of dunes and tracks raced against the clock. With times still tight at the top of the leaderboard, riders had to push hard over the grueling terrain to secure their positions while also being mindful to take extra care of their machines, as no outside assistance is permitted overnight.

After the 153-kilometer liaison this morning, Toby Price was the 19th rider to enter today’s special. The Australian made steady progress through the stage, balancing out-and-out speed with the preservation of himself and his KTM 450 RALLY. Ultimately posting the third-fastest time for the stage, just under two minutes down on the leader, means Toby climbs back up to second overall in the provisional standings and will also have two riders to chase down on tomorrow’s slightly shorter 185-kilometer special on stage 12.

Toby Price: “I think the stage went well for me today, I was able to get a little bit of time back and that puts me in good contention for the podium places still. I’m feeling in good shape and the bike is perfect, so no issues there. Starting back a little bit definitely helped today. I did make a little mistake early on, like a couple of the guys in front I think, but was able to correct it pretty quickly and carry on. I just took it quite steady today – pushed where it was safe to do so and then eased off a bit to make sure I didn’t make any mistakes. I’ll be third away for tomorrow, which isn’t too bad, so I’ll keep on fighting and see where we end up.”

In contrast to his teammate Price, Kevin Benavides set off near the front of today’s stage, and with little in the way of tracks ahead of him, the Argentinian had to carefully navigate his way through the dunes of the special. Making good time through the first half of the stage, Benavides fought his way up to fourth, but was then forced to ease his pace after catching the lead group of riders, which he joined on the final kilometers to the finish. In placing 10th, Kevin drops to third overall in the rankings, but trails the leader by less than three minutes.

Kevin Benavides: “Another tough day and the first part of the marathon stage today. I started in fourth position and tried to push straight away. I did a good job, I caught the guys in front after refueling, and from there we rode together for the last 80 kilometers or so. The bike is all ready in the parc fermé and I have a good start position for tomorrow, so it’s just a case of trying to make up time and stay in the fight.”

Enjoying his time in the Saudi desert, Matthias Walkner delivered a strong ride to 13th place, despite a couple of issues along the way. Having lost time through injury in the first week of the event, Matthias feel less under pressure and plans to complete his 2023 Dakar on a high, attacking the remaining stages and securing a solid finish.

Matthias Walkner: “I had a good stage today. It was good fun riding in the Empty Quarter for the second day and it certainly lived up to its name as there was nothing to see for miles around. I made a bit of a mistake early on that cost me some minutes, but then I managed to get stuck in a pocket of soft sand that took a little while to get out of. There is no contrast at all in the desert and you never know when something like this will happen. I pushed hard after refueling to make up time, and that was great fun jumping off the dunes. It really was a beautiful stage. I have a good start position for tomorrow, so I’ll aim for a top-three finish.”

Riders return to their teams at the bivouac in Shaybah tomorrow on day 12 of the rally, covering a total of 376 kilometers, 185 of which are timed special stage.

Provisional Results – 2023 Dakar Rally, Stage 11

1. Luciano Benavides (ARG), Husqvarna, 2:57:59

2. Daniel Sanders (AUS), GASGAS, 2:59:37 +1:38

3. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 2:59:55 +1:56

4. Skyler Howes (USA), Husqvarna, 3:00:08 +2:09

5. Pablo Quintanilla (CHI), Honda, 3:00:53 +2:54

Other KTM

10. Kevin Benavides (ARG), KTM, 3:04:21 +6:22

13. Matthias Walkner (AUT), KTM, 3:06:33 +8:34

 

Provisional Standings – 2023 Dakar Rally (after 11 of 14 stages)

1. Skyler Howes (USA), Husqvarna, 38:47:43

2. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 38:48:11 +0:28

3. Kevin Benavides (ARG), KTM, 38:50:27 +2:44

4. Pablo Quintanilla (CHI), Honda, 39:01:57 +14:14

5. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA), Honda, 39:03:07 +15:24

Other KTM

9. Mason Klein (USA), KTM, 39:19:18 +31:35

10. Matthias Walkner (AUT), KTM, 39:32:28 +44:45

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by GASGAS Factory Racing:

SECOND PLACE FOR SANDERS ON LEG ONE OF THE DAKAR RALLY MARATHON STAGE

RED BULL GASGAS FACTORY RACING’S RALLY STAR IMPRESSES WITH RUNNER-UP FINISH ON STAGE 11 AND MOVES UP TO SEVENTH OVERALL

Marathon stage, leg one at the Dakar complete and it was a pretty positive day of racing for Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Daniel Sanders. As the 12th rider into the 274-kilometer timed special, Sanders benefitted from chasing the leading riders on stage and capitalized on his starting position to post the second-fastest time. In the process, Chucky closed the gap on the overall leaders and now advances to seventh in the provisional standings. With three stages to go, a top-five finish at this year’s event is well within reach.

Chucky posts his third top-three stage result at this year’s Dakar

Leg one of the marathon stage done and dusted

Three more days of racing remain at the 2023 Dakar Rally

Daniel Sanders: “Today wasn’t too bad. It took a little while for me to get up to speed and then at around kilometer 40 there was a tricky note in the roadbook. I slowed up a little to make sure I was heading in the right direction and then pushed on to refueling. After that I rode with Luciano Benavides for the rest of the stage which was good, and it was a good gauge of knowing the speed up front. Second’s decent enough ahead of tomorrow’s shorter stage. I’ve just checked the bike over, all the fluids and everything, and it’s in great shape so I’m looking forward to getting back out there tomorrow.”

The marathon stage at the Dakar is always a tough one for riders as they need to strike a fine balance between posting the best time possible on leg one, while making sure their bike remains in good shape for leg two. For Sanders, placing second was clearly a strong result and after giving his bike a quick once over ahead of tomorrow’s stage 11, Chucky, and his awesome RX 450F, are now ready for another day of sand surfing through the Empty Quarter.

Results (provisional): Dakar Rally 2023, stage 11

1. Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) 2:57:59

2. Daniel Sanders (GASGAS) 2:59:37

3. Toby Price (KTM) 2:59:55

 

Overall Provisional Classification (after stage 11)

1. Skyler Howes (Husqvarna) 38:47:43

2. Toby Price (KTM) 38:48:11

3. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 38:50:27

7. Daniel Sanders (GASGAS) 39:09:23

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by Monster Energy Honda Racing:

PLAYING HARD AT THE EMPTY QUARTER

It is the highlight of a week of action in the deserts of Saudi Arabia. The Dakar Rally 2023 finally reached today the immense sea of dunes known as the Empty Quarter. With a special reddish-orange color, this is the largest continuous sand territory in the world – with its 1000 kilometers long and 500 km wide.  This was the landscape to the marathon stage of this year’s race (stage 11), starting early this morning from Shaybah and arriving less than three hours later in the heart of this region.

This morning the counter of the Honda’s CRF 450 Rally marked 4,000 kilometers of specials right after the start, with 273 km of the selective section (added by a liaison of 151 km) to complete during the marathon stage. On the arrival our riders were their own in terms of assistance, since they won’t have any mechanics or external help.

Monster Energy Honda Team riders are fighting to evolve in the top standings. Today the best was Pablo Quintanilla, with a fifth place 2:54 minutes off the pace. This performance meant a step up in the overall standings to fourth position. Second was José Ignacio Cornejo, who finished in 14th place 8:13 minutes off the pace (8th overall). Adrien Van Beveren was opening the track and reached the end in 18th place, meaning a 5th place overall.

The second part of the marathon stage will take place tomorrow with the return to Shaybah on stage 12. Along the 185 km of this selective section (added by a liaison of 188 km) there will be a focus on the tactical acumen of the riders. With just three days to go in this Dakar Rally 2023 it is certainly time to attack in every dune!

Ruben Faria

General Manager

“Today we had a very hard stage, the biggest one in the Empty Quarter with the first part of the marathon. We are behind the top 3 but I believe we are still in contention to change that. In the previous days we have been losing and gaining time like it is normal, but we lost too much time in the first six days. We lost Ricky Brabec, a Dakar winner, quite early and that was also a blow to our aspirations. About today’s stage, Adrien was great opening the track – he lost some time but that we already expected like it is normal. Nacho got lost in the middle of the special stage. Pablo also had a good stage but will be in front tomorrow. All riders arrived well and the Honda CRF 450 Rally is also perfect to continue. This is the Dakar Rally and we have to fight and believe until the end of the race!”

Pablo Quintanilla  7

“It was not an easy day, the sand was too soft and sometimes it was hard to climb the dunes. Anyway I was at a good pace and I think I did a good stage. The first part of the marathon stage is done and my Honda CRF 450 Rally is without any damage, so I am ready to continue tomorrow.”

José Ignacio Cornejo  11

“I made some navigation mistakes and lost around eight minutes. I am not happy about that, but that’s what it is. I will stay focused on climbing on the overall standings and keep fighting until the end. This is Dakar and I have to maintain my goal. ”

Adrien Van Beveren  42

“It was a good day, I caught Ross at kilometer 40 then I opened almost all the stage. I feel good and I feel fast on this terrain but when you open you always lose time. For sure I am doing my best every day and every minute and we will see how it goes.”

Supercross Round Two Postponed Due To Severe Weather In Northern California

Riders at the start line at an AMA supercross event. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports.

Due to the severe weather conditions afflicting Northern California, Round 2 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship originally scheduled for Saturday, January 14 at RingCentral Coliseum in Oakland, California is being rescheduled for Saturday, February 18, 2023. The safety of our athletes, teams, operational and television staff, and fans is always our foremost concern.

All original ticket purchases will be honored for the rescheduled date. Ticket purchasers can visit SupercrossLIVE for the most up to date information regarding this rescheduled event.

Round 3 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship will continue next Saturday, January 21 at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California.

American Flat Track: 1st Impressions Racing Signs Cose And Ott

Chad Cose (49) in action during the 2022 AFT Production Twins season. Photo by Tim Lester, courtesy AFT.
Chad Cose (49) in action during the 2022 AFT Production Twins season. Photo by Tim Lester, courtesy AFT.

1st Impressions Racing to Field Cose, Ott on Husqvarnas in 2023

 JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (January 11, 2023) – 1st Impressions Racing is proud to announce its plans to field Chad Cose and James Ott on Husqvarna FC 450 motorcycles in the Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER class for the 2023 Progressive American Flat Track season.

The team has also signed two-time Mission Production Twins champion Cory Texter to oversee the revamped program as the Team Manager, while Paul Ott will serve as Crew Chief and Ashley Kruppenbacker as Lead Mechanic.

Cose is a veteran rider who has been winning races at the professional level for the entirety of his career, most recently as a member of 1st Impressions Racing in last year’s Parts Unlimited AFT Singles Main Event at the Cedar Lake Short Track. Cose, who finished as the Mission Production Twins runner-up to Texter in 2021, is motivated to be a consistent force at the front of the field in 2023.

Ott enters his first season on the team with considerable experience riding Austrian-based motorcycles. He concluded the 2022 season ranked inside the Parts Unlimited AFT Singles championship top ten on the strength of a pair of top-five finishes.

 

Eric Hoyt – Team Owner 1st Impressions Racing

“We have had some success so far in the Progressive American Flat Track series, but for 2023 we are making huge changes to the program. Hiring Cory has been an incredible addition. Not only in a management role, but “CTex” is such a great rider coach and mentor that he’ll get the boys in top-notch shape during the off-season. Bringing back Chad was key and well deserved considering his accomplishments and getting us our first win last year in Wisconsin. And I have been watching James for a few years now, and he is an underrated, fast rider with a bright future. The addition of Paul Ott has been a game changer with his set-up knowledge of the motorcycles and building the bikes. And our mechanic Ashley Kruppenbacker crushes it in the shop during the week and at the track. It’s been a lot of fun prepping for the year and I would put our team up against any out there in the series.”

Cory Texter – Team Manager

“I am excited to still be involved with the series for 2023 as the Team Manager for 1st Impressions Racing. Eric has been great to work with and is really putting a lot of trust in me to elevate his program in order to run up front with the factory-supported teams. It’s going to be a learning year, but I am confident in both Chad and James as the riders. I am excited to start working with them this offseason. With their talents, the sky’s the limit. I am also thankful that I was able to bring Paul Ott onto the team. He was crucial to the success I had as a rider these last couple of seasons and is extremely underrated when it comes to his ability to set up a motorcycle. Our lead mechanic Ashley Kruppenbacker is a hard worker and has been a pleasure to work. It’ll be a fun season and I am confident we will shake up the results frequently throughout the year.”

Chad Cose – #49

“I am eager to sign again with 1st Impression Racing for the 2023 season. Being able to get the team a win shows we have the potential to run up front. I am excited about the switch to Husqvarna motorcycles. It’ll be a cool dynamic having another California guy like James as a teammate and Paul as our crew chief. Bringing in CTex was a huge addition to the program. Cory and I have been buds a long time and having him there to work with me during the offseason and be in our corner all year will be priceless. It’s going to be a grind, but we will be ready to go.”

James Ott – #19

“I am super stoked going into 2023. In the past, my dad and I have always pieced together what we could on a limited budget. Being on a team like 1st Impressions is an amazing opportunity. They are committed to winning. It’ll be cool having a teammate in Chad this year and someone like Cory to get involved with his knowledge and experience as well. I am ready to get the season started.”

Paul Ott – Crew Chief

“I am super excited for the opportunity to mechanic motorcycles for James and Chad on the 1st Impressions Husqvarna team in 2023. I am equally excited to continue working with Cory in this new capacity as well as Ashley Kruppenbacker and the entire team. I want to give a special thanks to Eric Hoyt for allowing us all to have the creative freedom to build what is truly becoming a ground-up Husqvarna FC 450 effort. I look forward to the challenges the 2023 AFT season will bring and know that our team has the tools it takes to emerge successfully.”

Ashley Kruppenbacker – Lead Mechanic

“Next year is going to be awesome with the changes Eric is bringing to the team. Switching to the FC 450 and bringing in a second rider in James Ott alongside our current rider Chad Cose is going to make our team a contender next year. It’s equally exciting to have Cory Texter involved as well. We have a lot of work to do this offseason, but I am excited to spin the wrenches.”

Ducati Reports Worldwide Sales Record For 2022

A 2022-model Ducati Multistrada V4 S. Photo courtesy Ducati.
A 2022-model Ducati Multistrada V4 S. The Multistrada family was Ducati's best seller in 2022. Photo courtesy Ducati.

Ducati ends an extraordinary year: with 61,562 motorcycles delivered worldwide, 2022 is the best year ever

Record deliveries for Ducati, which surpasses the 60,000-bike mark for the first time in its history in 2022, despite the global logistics and supply crisis

Italian deliveries grew by 10 percent – Italy becomes the main market for the company

The Multistrada V4 is the most loved bike by Ducatisti with more than 10,000 motorcycles delivered worldwide during 2022

Ducati sales network continues its expansion reaching a record 821 dealerships worldwide

Borgo Panigale (Bologna, Italy), 11 January 2023 – 2022 confirmed itself as an exceptional year for Ducati, which closed the period with a record of 61,562 motorcycles delivered to enthusiasts around the world, a result that complements the successes collected by the motorcycle manufacturer in the racing world. Sales grew by 3.6 percent over 2021.

Claudio Domenicali, CEO Ducati: “This sales result is the outcome of the path that has seen us steadily invest in the development of innovative motorcycles and consistently strive to improve the quality of the products and the experiences enjoyed by our passionate Ducatisti. In addition, the Ducati brand has never been more loved and desirable, thanks to our extraordinary sporting achievements and our ongoing commitment to making our Ducatisti feel part of a big, welcoming family. Achieving a sales result above the already excellent of 2021 in such a difficult year for the entire automotive system, which was afflicted by serious supply discontinuities, particularly in the world of semiconductors, is really an important measure of the flexibility with which the whole of Ducati reacted, together with our suppliers and dealers. This flexibility allowed us to contain the impact on delivery delays for our fans – whom I take this opportunity to thank for their patience and dedication – and thus also to achieve this sales result. The team of women and men present in Ducati today is in my opinion the best ever and reflects the work done in recent years on the growth and enhancement of talents. Therefore, a big thank you goes to all of them because without their commitment the successes achieved by the Company would not have been possible. Thanks also to the union representatives who have always been a willing interlocutor to find together the best solution to the problems of this tumultuous year.”

During 2022, Italy confirmed itself as the main market for Ducati, with 9,578 motorcycles and a 10 percent growth compared to 2021. The United States is in second place with 8,441 units delivered, a decrease of -6% compared to 2021 due to logistical difficulties and delays in overseas shipments. Another strategic country for Ducati is Germany , which grew by 9 percent over 2021 and with 6,678 delivered motorcycles is positioning itself as the third largest market.

Francesco Milicia, Ducati VP Global Sales and After Sales: “2022 was a year full of successes for Ducati and this record of deliveries is further confirmation of the solidity of the Company and of the constant growth of the brand in the world. In the first six months of the year, the international scenario was characterized by strong discontinuities in the world of logistics and supply, which penalized performance in the most important months of the season. Despite this, in the second half of the year we managed to recover and reach the highest sales volumes in the company’s history, thanks to great organizational flexibility and constant dialogue with partners and unions. Although the economic scenario in recent months has certainly worsened, we remain confident about the future thanks to the strength of an expanding sales network and a positive order portfolio, reflecting enthusiasts’ appreciation of the renewed product range.”

The Multistrada V4 in all its versions once again proves to be the model most loved by Ducatisti enthusiasts with 10,716 motorcycles delivered worldwide. The Monster family, with 7,971 units sold, was also a great success, followed by the Scrambler Ducati 800 family with 6,880 bikes delivered.

These results add to the extraordinary triumphs achieved by Ducati in the racing world, which has seen the Bologna-based motorcycle manufacturer triumph in MotoGP and WorldSBK.

2022 was a record year also for the sales network, which continues to grow, getting closer and closer to Ducatisti around the world. At the end of 2022, there are 821 Ducati dealerships, the highest number ever, which, with the addition of the new markets Brunei, Ecuador, El Salvador and Mongolia, represent Ducati in as many as 96 markets.

For 2023, Ducati has presented to the public eight new models that complete an ever-wider range, able to offer all Ducatisti the most suitable bike to express their passion for two wheels. Among the most awaited models there are certainly the Multistrada V4 Rally, the bike for great travelers and the new Diavel V4, the model that won the “Most Beautiful Bike of the Show” award at EICMA. But also the second generation of Scrambler Ducati, which confirms the simplicity and authenticity that have always represented essential values for all Scrambler Ducati enthusiasts, becoming more contemporary, colorful and endowed with an even more lively personality.

To discover the entire Ducati 2023 range, visit the dedicated section on the Ducati.com website.

Dakar Rally: KTM’s Benavides Takes Overall Lead During Stage 10

Kevin Benavides (47). Photo courtesy KTM Factory Racing.
Kevin Benavides (47). Photo courtesy KTM Factory Racing.

KEVIN BENAVIDES LEADS THE DAKAR RALLY AFTER STAGE 10

Dakar Rally 2023 – Stage 10

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Kevin Benavides has placed fourth on today’s stage 10 of the 2023 Dakar Rally and moves into the provisional lead of the overall standings. Toby Price completed the day in 19th but still lies third overall, just two minutes back, while Matthias Walkner enjoyed a solid day on his KTM 450 RALLY, placing fifth.

Riders left the bivouac at 3:30am this morning to cover the 467-kilometer liaison that led them to the start of today’s timed special. Although short at 114 kilometers, the route raced against the clock was predominantly made up of rolling dunes, making navigation difficult and proving a real test of endurance for all competitors.

As the seventh rider into the special following his strong performance on stage nine, Kevin Benavides was in contention for the stage win right away. Carrying good speed over the sandy terrain, the 2021 Dakar winner was just 10 seconds down on the leader by kilometer 84. Losing a little time in the closing stages, Benavides dropped to fourth place as he crossed the line, one minute from the win. However, with times tight across the top 10, Kevin’s solid ride moved him into the lead of the rally, where he enjoys a one-and-a-half-minute advantage.

Kevin Benavides: “Today was really short, but really tough physically as it was raced all in the dunes. I started off in seventh position and just tried to keep a nice flow through all the dunes and it felt really good. I did have one crash where I went over the handlebars, but it seems it might have had a positive effect because I only lost about one minute and that means I set of fourth into tomorrow’s stage 11.”

After losing time in the desert yesterday following a navigational error, Matthias Walkner bounced back in style on stage 10. Posting the fifth fastest time on the demanding special, Walkner moves back inside the top 10 overall and will be aiming to elevate himself even higher over the remaining four days of racing.

Matthias Walkner: “I had a good day today. I really like this sort of terrain and was able to make up good time across the dunes. I wasn’t pushing too hard at first because I didn’t want to lose time like I did yesterday, but then towards the end I was able to increase my pace toward the finish. I’m feeling a lot stronger now, and coming in fifth today puts me in a good place for tomorrow’s marathon stage.”

Toby Price was the second rider to enter today’s special, and again, using his skill and experience to good effect, chose to navigate carefully through the dunes to minimize any costly errors. With the leaders’ times extremely close over the short special, Toby ultimately completed the day in 19th, but only eight minutes down on the leader. As such, the Aussie remains very much in contention near the top of the overall standings where he now lies third.

Toby Price: “Today was a long day – we were up at 2:30am, but then just a short special. I tried to pace myself a little today to make sure I didn’t make any big mistakes and to also get a good start for tomorrow’s longer stage. I dropped down a little in the standings, but didn’t lose too much time, and now hopefully I’m well-placed to attack tomorrow. So far so good.”

Thursday’s stage 11 marks the first half of the Empty Quarter marathon stage, where riders will spend the night in the desert and receive no outside help from their teams. Totaling 427 kilometers, the stage will include a dune-filled timed special of 274 kilometers.

Provisional Results – 2023 Dakar Rally, Stage 10

1. Ross Branch (BWA), Hero, 1:44:00

2. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA), Honda, 1:44:21

3. Michael Docherty (ZAF), Husqvarna, 1:44:30

4. Kevin Benavides (ARG), KTM, 1:45:00

5. Matthias Walkner (AUT), KTM, 1:45:22

Other KTM

7. Mason Klein (USA), KTM, 1:47:05 +3:05

19. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 1:52:16

 

Provisional Standings – 2023 Dakar Rally (after 10 of 14 stages)

1. Kevin Benavides (ARG), KTM, 35:16:06

2. Skyler Howes (USA), Husqvarna, 35:47:35 +1:29

3. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 35:48:16 +2:10

4. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA), Honda, 35:55:58 +9:52

5. Pablo Quintanilla (CHI), Honda, 36:01:04 +14:58

Other KTM

6. Mason Klein (USA), KTM, 36:01:44 +15:38

10. Matthias Walkner (AUT), KTM, 36:25:55 +39:49

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by Husqvarna Factory Racing:

SOLID DAY OPENING DAKAR STAGE 10 FOR LUCIANO BENAVIDES

HUSQVARNA FACTORY RACING RIDERS BENAVIDES AND HOWES COMPLETE DUNE-FILLED SPECIAL IN 13TH AND 18TH RESPECTIVELY

Winner on day nine, Luciano Benavides had the unenviable task of leading out into today’s 10th stage of the 2023 Dakar Rally. The Argentine racer did an impeccable job however, opening the stage from start to finish to ultimately post the 13th quickest time. Teammate Skyler Howes took a conservative approach to today’s special, minimising the chance of any navigational mistakes and ensuring an advantageous start position for Thursday’s first half of the marathon stage.

Continuing to deliver solid and calculated rides at this year’s Dakar, Luciano Benavides confidently took on the challenge of opening the first stage that entered the dunes of the Empty Quarter and excelled. Riding alone up front for the entire 114 kilometres, Benavides lost the minimum time to his rivals while also ensuring a strong start position for tomorrow. Completing the day in 13th, six minutes down on the eventual winner, Luciano retains his top-10 placing in the overall standings and is in the perfect position to attack tomorrow’s first leg of the marathon stage.

Also putting in a considered ride through the dunes today, Skyler Howes took some time to reacquaint himself with the Empty Quarter terrain and to ensure he made very little in the way of navigational errors. With Thursday’s stage 11 coming in at around twice the distance of today’s special, Skyler is fully aware of the importance of delivering a solid, mistake-free result on the way to the temporary bivouac of the marathon stage. Although Howes dropped down to second in the overall standings, he lies just one and a half minutes from the lead – time he hopes to make up tomorrow.

Luciano Benavides: “Today had a really long liaison in the morning – almost 500 kilometres ridden after a very early start. It was the first stage in the Empty Quarter and so it was full of dunes – very similar to the terrain seen in Abu Dhabi actually. I opened the whole stage and I think I did a good job. I picked up two minutes of bonus time, but of course you do lose a few minutes to the guys behind chasing the tracks. I pushed all day, trying to do my best, and I think I finished just inside the top 15, which gives me a good start position for tomorrow.”

Skyler Howes: “Yeah, we knew what we were getting into coming into the Empty Quarter with all the dunes. But today, with the special being so short, I wanted to make sure I was in a good position to push on tomorrow’s marathon stage. I took things a little easier today to get a feel for the dunes and just took things a little conservatively. I did have one awesome moment where I put on some style for the helicopter but messed up the landing. All was good though and now we have a much longer day of more dunes tomorrow – I’m looking forward to it.”

2023 Dakar Rally – Stage 10 Provisional Classification

1. Ross Branch (Hero) 1:44:00

2. Adrien Van Beveren (Honda) 1:44:21

3. Michael Docherty (Husqvarna) 1:44:30

4. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 1:45:00

5. Matthias Walkner (KTM) 1:45:22

6. Pablo Quintanilla (Honda) 1:46:43

…

13. Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) 1:50:18

18. Skyler Howes (Husqvarna) 1:51:38

 

2023 Dakar – Provisional Overall Classification [After Stage 10]

1. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 35:46:06

2. Skyler Howes (Husqvarna) 35:47:35

3. Toby Price (KTM) 35:48:16

4. Adrien Van Beveren (Honda) 35:55:58

5. Pablo Quintanilla (Honda) 36:01:04

6. Mason Klein (KTM) 36:01:44

…

8. Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) 36:07:50

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by GASGAS Factory Racing:

RED BULL GASGAS FACTORY RACING’S DANIEL SANDERS COMPLETES ANOTHER DAY AT THE DAKAR

CHUCKY MAINTAINS NINTH OVERALL AFTER SHORT AND FAST SPECIAL THROUGH SOME SERIOUSLY EPIC SAND DUNES

That’s stage 10 at the Dakar done and dusted for Daniel Sanders. With times at the top incredibly close due to today’s special being the shortest of the entire event, Sanders posted the 12th fastest time, finishing just over six minutes down on the stage winner. Perhaps not a great result on paper, it’s the overall time that matters most, and today Daniel clawed back vital seconds from the provisional leader while securing a perfect starting position for tomorrow’s first leg of the marathon stage. The race to the finish is just getting started.

Calculated ride through stage 10 for Daniel Sanders

Super-short special offers no chance for Chucky to make up time

The Dakar Rally marathon stage begins tomorrow

Daniel Sanders: “Yeah, today was pretty much full send in the dunes so that was fun, but with it being so short, something like 115 kilometers, today wasn’t the day to be making up too much time. It seems like this part of Saudi missed the rain we had during week one as the sand is dry and a lot softer, so it took me a little while to adjust to it. But all is good. I didn’t want to finish inside the top 10 today because of the marathon stage starting tomorrow so we’re a little bit back in the pack. That was the game plan though, so yeah, looking forward to seeing what we can do over the next couple of days.”

Knowing full well that today’s super-short special offered little to no chance of reeling in the leading riders in this year’s Dakar by a considerable amount, Sanders rode tactically. Able to stay on pace and make up a small amount of time, Chucky got just what he wanted after completing stage 10 – a very favorable start position for stage 11.

With the race now heading into the rolling sand dunes of the Empty Quarter, there’s far less reliance on navigation, with many more opportunities to ride wide open by simply following in the wheel tracks of the leading riders. And starting from 12th tomorrow, Sanders has high hopes of taking a big chunk of time out of those in front in the overall classification.

Results (provisional): Dakar Rally 2023, stage 10

1. Ross Branch (Hero) 1:44:00

2. Adrien Van Beveren (Honda) 1:44:21

3. Michael Docherty (Husqvarna) 1:44:30

12. Daniel Sanders (GASGAS) 1:50:02

 

Overall Provisional Classification (after stage 10)

1. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 35:46:06

2. Skyler Howes (Husqvarna) 35:47:35

3. Toby Price (KTM) 35:48:16

9. Daniel Sanders (GASGAS) 36:09:46

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by Monster Energy Honda Racing:

A GOOD FEELING ON ARRIVAL IN SHAYBAH

After 11 days (prologue and 10 stages), the Dakar Rally 2023 made a drastic change heading southeast. Monster Energy Honda Team riders José Ignacio Cornejo (CL), Adrien Van Beveren (FR) and Pablo Quintanilla (CL) had an early wake up call around 3:00 am. In less than one hour they were ready to start the 10th stage, leaving Haradh in the direction of Shaybah with a quite unusual liaison of 508 kilometers!

Leaving the rain and cold days behind, this special section was just an appetizer of 114 km of sand and started a few minutes before 10 in the morning. As the ASO organization explained, this is a deliberate approach into the limits of the Empty Quarter. This was certainly a good day for Honda, after a consistent performance from all riders. Van Beveren got the silver medal with second position on this short and technical stage, just 21 seconds after the leader. In the overall standings, the Frenchman kept his fourth place (9:52 minutes gap to the leader). Pablo Quintanilla was sixth and also kept his position in the overall standings: 5th place (14:58 minutes gap to the leader). José Ignacio Cornejo reached the bivouac in eighth position and managed to climb one stair in the overall standings (now he is 7th with a 20:42 gap to the leader).

Tomorrow it’s time for a key and much expected moment of the race: the marathon stage at the famous Empty Quarter. The counter will mark 4,000 kilometers of specials right after the start, taking the race into extreme endurance territory. Along the 273 km of the selective section (added by a liaison of 151 km) there will be sand dunes of every color. The importance of this challenge –  the marathon stage – is that the riders will be on their own in terms of assistance: reaching the bivouac at the end of the day there won’t be any mechanics or external help.

Ruben Faria

General Manager

“We have reached a decisive part of the rally and our riders felt quite well in the transition for the southeast landscapes. I know this was just a short introduction for the sandy days to come, but I am very happy with the performance of our riders. All of them – Adrien, Pablo and Nacho – are almost natural born riders of the sand. They love the sand and the dunes and all of them have a special connection with this environment. Tomorrow conditions will be even harder, with a longer stage and no assistance. I am quite confident in our riders and in our Honda’s CRF 450 Rally, we are here to fight for the top standings until the last day”.

Adrien Van Beveren  42

“This was a good day for me, much better than yesterday for sure. I gave everything, trying to be fast riding on the dunes – a terrain that I love. I really push and I am happy with the outcome. I am ok physically, unfortunately it was only one hundred and fourteen kilometers but we have more chances in the coming days.”

Pablo Quintanilla  7

“This was another long, long day. The stage was short but the rhythm was very high. I am glad tomorrow I will have some riders opening in the front, this can be a changing moment for the race. It will be a tremendous effort for us and for the bikes, because we are already racing for 10 days and that is quite intense. I am in full shape and keen to keep fighting”.

José Ignacio Cornejo  11

“It was a good stage. It was a short stage but very physical. I was riding, pushing and trying to be safe at the same time. In this terrain we can not be overconfident because that’s when mistakes happen. I’m happy with my performance and have a good feeling, so I am ready to keep on fighting in the depths of the Empty Quarter”.

 

 

 

 

GASGAS Bicycles Bringing E-Mountain Bikes To North America

A GASGAS Light Trail 3.0 electric mountain bike in action. Photo courtesy GASGAS.
A GASGAS Light Trail 3.0 electric mountain bike in action. Photo courtesy GASGAS.

SAY HELLO TO GASGAS BICYCLES’ E-MTB LINEUP IN NORTH AMERICA!

EXCITING 11-BIKE PEDAL-ASSIST MOUNTAIN BIKE RANGE EXPANDS THE GASGAS FAMILY

We’re super excited to announce the arrival of GASGAS Bicycles with a robust lineup of 2023 eMTB bicycles. Introducing 11 pedal-assist mountain bikes, we’ve used our technical know-how, experience, and passion to create a range of bikes to suit everyone, enabling riders to hit the trails and seek out fun and adventure.

GASGAS Bicycles hit the North American trails!

11-bike Enduro, Trail, Light Trail and Cross Country lineup

As the third bicycle brand to launch under the PIERER New Mobility North America, Inc. umbrella, GASGAS Bicycles is on a mission to introduce a new dimension of offroad fun to all through our energetic and vibrant, daring – yet welcoming – brand approach. Riding on the action-led success and philosophy of GASGAS in the off-road motorcycle racing and trial competition segments, GASGAS Bicycles challenges riders and enthusiasts to experience off-road trails like they have never done before – via powerful E-Bicycles inspired and engineered to thrill and excite.

 

A GASGAS Light Trail 3.0 electric mountain bike in action. Photo courtesy GASGAS.
A GASGAS Light Trail 3.0 electric mountain bike. Photo courtesy GASGAS.

At the pinnacle of our model lineup is the all-new G Light Trail category with two lightweight trail models featuring an ultra-light carbon frame. If you want the light, playful, super-agile feeling that traditional mountain bikes offer, but still want helpful pedal-assist support to kick in when you need it most, that’s what the G Light Trail does best! Specified with a slightly smaller motor and battery that are tucked into a super-lightweight carbon frame, every crucial ounce is saved to keep this ride feeling as close to an analog MTB as possible. All this design and engineering work is done to bridge the gap and strike the balance between pedal-assisted and human-powered fun. Both the 2.0 and 3.0 feature a 29” wheel paring and 150mm of travel that smooth out the roughest terrain and enough power when you need – without carry too much weight – to remain playful and flickable. Just a good time.

 

A GASGAS Light Trail 3.0 electric mountain bike in action. Photo courtesy GASGAS.
A GASGAS Light Trail 3.0 electric mountain bike. Photo courtesy GASGAS.

For hardcore eMTB riders, the Enduro and Trail models will definitely get the blood pumping! Put simply, the Enduro is a must have for those serious about downhill fun. With state-of-the-art mounted motors and internal batteries helping to flatten out the steepest of climbs, its long-travel suspension, slack geometry and mixed wheel sizes ensure the rowdiest of trails can be confidently tamed. The G Enduro lineup includes three aluminum-framed weapons built for long days rocking rough trails and terrain. Depending on your style, there’s a ride for you in the G Enduro range. The 1.0 comes in what is affectionately called a mullet-build, 29” in the front and 27.5” in the back. This combo offers decerning riders better cornering by virtue of the smaller rear wheel, while the bigger front keeps you rolling through the rock gardens. A steeper head tube angle works with the whole configuration for faster steering and responsiveness, delivering cornering mastery. On the other end of the G Enduro spectrum, the aluminum frame on the 2.0 and 3.0 dominates the gnarliest terrain with next-level straight-line stability. Developed to impress with an optimized frame geometry on 29” wheels, they combine a slacker head tube angle and a shortened rear frame for the right blend of stability and agility. Throw in a bigger battery and longer fork travel, and you’re ready to ride any line!

 

A GASGAS Enduro 3.0 electric mountain bike in action. Photo courtesy GASGAS.
A GASGAS Enduro 3.0 electric mountain bike. Photo courtesy GASGAS.

 

If big, open, mountain adventures are your passion, our Trail eMTB is the bike for you. The full-suspension eMTB is built to tackle rides where climbing and descending is the name of the game – those super fun singletrack trails and exposed mountain-side tracks that put the biggest smiles on riders’ faces. In three right-for-the-ride configurations, choose from the 130mm 1.0 or 150mm 2.0, both built around a weight-optimized alloy frame providing outstanding performance for an incredible price. Looking to smash the big hits and then flick the bike into the corners? The 3.0 is the 150mm-travel, do-it-all bike with an ultralight carbon frame paired with an aluminum triangle—adding a touch of durability against rock strikes. The G Trail lineup delivers the perfect mix of travel and compact build to take your ride everywhere, conquering aggressive or smooth terrain with ease. And with 630Wh of power turning a 70 Nm motor, keep the ride going climb after climb. Big battery. Big motor. Big smiles.

 

A GASGAS Trail 3.0 electric mountain bike in action. Photo courtesy GASGAS.
A GASGAS Trail 3.0 electric mountain bike. Photo courtesy GASGAS.

A perfect entry point to eMTB, our G Cross Country features an aluminum 6061, weight-optimized frame in a hardtail build, allowing you to own steep inclines or blast out of corners thanks to its outstanding pedaling efficiency and reduced weight. The 27.5” configuration and compact design of the G Cross Country 1.0 is perfect for smaller riders looking for a confidence-inspiring ride, while the 29” setup on the 2.0 and 3.0 bikes eats up rough terrain. The idea behind the G Cross Country lineup is simple, provide a great entry point into the sport and the world of pedal-assist performance at a great price. Then all you have to focus on is having fun! If that fun includes a top-shelf component group, the 3.0, which still comes in at an amazing price, it provides those added features needed for pushing personal limits and, with a 630Wh battery capacity, doing it for longer. If you don’t need full suspension and want to save the weight but still want an incredible ride in the pits or on the trail, the G Cross Country has you covered.

All of our GASGAS Bicycles proudly feature a state-of-the-art motor at the heart of their build; these drive units are tried and trusted across the mountain biking community and boast cutting-edge technology.

Customers can already see the first GASGAS Bicycles products in authorized dealers in the U.S. today, and in Canada this February/March, with continued delivery of new products arriving throughout 2023.

For more information on the new range of GASGAS Bicycles, contact your local GASGAS Bicycles dealer.

Honda Announces Eight Returning Models For 2023

A 2023 Honda CBR500R. Photo courtesy American Honda.
A 2023 Honda CBR500R. Photo courtesy American Honda.

Honda Announces Diverse Range of Returning Motorcycle Models

January 10, 2023 — ALPHARETTA, Georgia

Eight 2023 models included in first announcement of new calendar year

Sport, standard, adventure, dual sport and cruiser categories represented

In its first product announcement of the new calendar year, American Honda confirmed the return of eight motorcycle models across the sport, standard, adventure, dual sport and cruiser categories. Each of the eight returning models is capable of delivering a wide range of riding experiences, and taken as a whole, the group highlights the diversity of Honda’s motorcycle offerings.

With a deserved reputation for delivering value-focused but adrenaline-inducing fun, the CBR650R and CBR500R sport bikes are back, as are the CB1000R, CB650R and CB500F naked bikes. Extending the value-conscious theme to riders who enjoy venturing beyond the pavement’s end, the CB500X adventure bike and XR650L dual-sport machine are remarkably capable models. Meanwhile, the Fury continues its tradition of head-turning head style with an iconic V-twin sound, for the ultimate cruiser experience.

CB1000R

 

A 2023 Honda CB1000R. Photo courtesy American Honda.
A 2023 Honda CB1000R. Photo courtesy American Honda.

 

Known as much for its eye-catching design as its versatility, the CB1000R touts both flair and function. Aggressive on the road and in the parking lot, this naked bike stops traffic on coffee-shop runs, but its powerful engine and nimble handling make it a great choice for the canyons as well.

MSRP: $12,999

Color: Black

Available: February

Info

 

CBR650R

 

A 2023 Honda CBR650R. Photo courtesy American Honda.
A 2023 Honda CBR650R. Photo courtesy American Honda.

 

Few experiences can match ripping through a canyon on a sport bike, and the CBR650R delivers that thrill to a wide spectrum of riders. To achieve the ideal mix of practicality and performance, this model has a high-quality Showa Separate Function Big Piston fork, stylish aesthetics and up-to-date emissions technology. With a finely tuned chassis delivering light, responsive handling, and a high-revving inline four-cylinder engine that offers enjoyable power, the middleweight CBR650R is exciting to ride and a pleasure to own, a gratifying intersection of values for the modern sport bike rider.

MSRP: $9,899

Color: Grand Prix Red

Available: February

Info

 

CB650R

 

A 2023 Honda CB650R. Photo courtesy American Honda.
A 2023 Honda CB650R. Photo courtesy American Honda.

 

Honda has a long history of creating iconic middleweight standards, and that continues with the CB650R. Featuring a Showa Separate Function Big Piston fork, excellent emissions performance, stylish aesthetics and comfortable ergonomics, this middleweight model is ideally suited for everything from daily commutes to weekend outings on canyon backroads. A naked bike with looks that match its impressive performance, the CB650R touts ample power and a smooth delivery.

MSRP: $9,399

Color: Matte Gray Metallic

Available: February

Info

 

CBR500R

 

A 2023 Honda CBR500R. Photo courtesy American Honda.
A 2023 Honda CBR500R. Photo courtesy American Honda.

 

The CBR500R has become a staple for riders looking for the excitement of a sportbike in a smaller package. Featuring aggressive CBR styling and a snappy, parallel-twin-cylinder engine, the lightweight CBR500R is a sensible fit for everyone from beginners looking for their first bike to veteran riders seeking a fun ride, as it delivers unmatched fun at an affordable price.

MSRP: $7,299

Colors: Grand Prix Red; Sword Silver Metallic

Available: Summer 2023

Info

 

CB500F

 

A 2023 Honda CB500F. Photo courtesy American Honda.
A 2023 Honda CB500F. Photo courtesy American Honda.

 

Honed through decades of iconic Honda CB models, the CB500F has proven itself as an enjoyable and reliable naked bike for veteran and rookie riders alike. Mixing light weight and nimble handling with a smooth power delivery, the CB500F is a capable commuting tool that’s also ready for weekend outings or bike nights. Exceptionally versatile, the CB500F is proof that minimalist looks needn’t come at a price that breaks the bank.

MSRP: $6,799

Color: Matte Gray Metallic

Available: February

Info

 

CB500X

 

A 2023 Honda CB500X. Photo courtesy American Honda.
A 2023 Honda CB500X. Photo courtesy American Honda.

 

Designed and developed to address the disparate requirements of adventure riding while still delivering exceptional value, the CB500X is an exceptional urban commuter that’s also ready for off-road excursions and even canyon-riding outings. The essence of a modern mid-displacement adventure machine, the CB500X is both practical and rewarding to ride, and truly adventure-ready.

MSRP: $7,299

Color: Peal Organic Green

Available: February

Info

 

XR650L

 

A 2023 Honda XR650L. Photo courtesy American Honda.
A 2023 Honda XR650L. Photo courtesy American Honda.

 

A truly legendary machine—thanks in part to its proud Baja heritage—Honda’s tried-and-true XR650L continues to be a hit with dual-sport customers. Highly versatile, the model opens doors to adventure on single-track trails, dirt roads and backroads, while also delivering capable and affordable transportation in the city. It’s a combination of characteristics that promises to continue the XR650L’s popularity for years to come.

MSRP: $6,999

Color: White

Available: January

Info

 

FURY

 

A 2023 Honda Fury. Photo courtesy American Honda.
A 2023 Honda Fury. Photo courtesy American Honda.

 

Guaranteed to turn heads with its extreme, chopper-style design, the Fury nonetheless touts characteristics one naturally expects from a Honda—namely, functionality, finish, performance and stellar handling. Riders will appreciate the 1,312cc liquid-cooled V-twin engine that sounds as good as it looks, as well as adjustable front and rear suspension, but what will stop bystanders in their tracks are the hard-tail styling and raked-out front end, which make this cruiser a rolling work of art.

MSRP: $11,499

Color: Pearl Yellow

Available: January

Info

MotoAmerica: 3D Motorsports Signs Black And Jigalov

Damian Jigalov. Photo by Adrian Jigalov.
Damian Jigalov, as seen in 2021. Photo by Adrian Jigalov.

3D Motorsports signs Jigalov and Black

3D Motorsports, Damian Jigalov, and Chase Black have inked a deal to race together in the 2023 MotoAmerica Championship. Jigalov will pilot a Suzuki GSX-R750 in Supersport as well as in the Daytona 200. Black will race an Aprilia RS 660 in Twins Cup.

3D Motorsports owner Dominguez commented, “We are excited to have Damian on the team. He has been on the podium in MotoAmerica Junior Cup and had a great year in WERA. We think we can grow and learn together and push to the front.

“Also, we have Chase, a great kid who I have watched grow as a rider over the years. We are excited to see Chase turn heads in Twins Cup after a very impressive test.”

Jigalov said, “I can’t wait to get started with 3D Motorsports! Big thank you to Dustin Dominguez for the opportunity. It feels great knowing that I will be part of the MotoAmerica paddock again with a chance to show what I’m capable of. Thank you to my previous sponsors MRCBX.com, Arch Motorcycles, Kaming Ko, and DSP MOTORSPORTS for getting me to this point.”

 

3D Motorsports' Dustin Dominguez (left) with Chase Black (right). Photo courtesy 3D Motorsports.
3D Motorsports’ Dustin Dominguez (left) with Chase Black (right). Photo courtesy 3D Motorsports.

 

Black commented, “It truly has been an amazing opportunity to receive this offer from the the 3D Motorsports team. Getting to watch the owner and crew chief Dustin Dominguez ride and win championships at the highest level, just for him to find his way to me. Super excited to have this amazing crew chief and soon-to-be-teammates to lead me through my third year in professional racing.”

3D Motorsports would like to thank its partners Btec Turbines, 4SR, Blud Lubricants, Orient Express, K-Tech, CG Law, M4, Drippin’ Wet, AF1 Racing, Oklahoma Honda and Suzuki, Raceworx, and 3D Beaty.

Dakar Rally: Benavides Wins Stage Nine, American Howes Keeps Overall Lead

American Skyler Howes (10). Photo courtesy Husqvarna Factory Racing.
American Skyler Howes (10). Photo courtesy Husqvarna Factory Racing.

STAGE NINE WIN FOR LUCIANO BENAVIDES AT 2023 DAKAR RALLY

HUSQVARNA FACTORY RACING RIDER CLAIMS HIS SECOND STAGE WIN OF THE EVENT AS

SKYLER HOWES CONTINUES TO LEAD THE OVERALL

Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Luciano Benavides has topped day nine of the Dakar Rally. Securing his second stage win of the 2023 event, the Argentinian delivered a masterclass of rally racing, only dropping to second for a short distance before powering his FR 450 Rally home to post the fastest time. The result moves Benavides from 11th to seventh.

On a tough day at the Dakar, with difficult navigation and challenging terrain, Husqvarna Factory Racing excelled with both riders completing the special inside the top three. It was Benavides, setting off 21st into the stage that came out on top. The number 77 focused carefully on his road book and didn’t make the same mistakes as many of his rivals to lead the timesheets for the majority of the 358 kilometres raced against the clock. Happy with his result, his performance, and the feel of his machine, Luciano will now open Wednesday’s 624-kilometre stage 10 from Haradh to Shaybah.

Starting two places ahead of his teammate, Skyler Howes also put in a great ride to secure a third-place result. Losing a couple of minutes while trying to find one particular waypoint meant that the American was soon caught by Benavides, and from there the two pushed hard toward the refuelling stop and then on to the finish. Skyler retains his lead in the overall standings and will have the opportunity to chase down the second-placed rider on tomorrow’s stage 10.

Luciano Benavides: “I’m really happy. I cannot believe I won again, and to be the first rider at this Dakar to win twice feels incredible. It was a really hard stage with a lot of navigation – you really had to focus on your road book to make sure you didn’t make any mistakes. There were a lot of broken tracks and different lines, so it was easy to take a slightly wrong line. Now I am opening the stage tomorrow, so it will be full gas all the way to the finish.”

Skyler Howes: “The stage today was pretty tricky. We hit a section where we were missing one waypoint and it was in a place deep with stones and a lot of mud. It was tough to navigate through there and I knew we were going off the CAP heading a little, so I had to circle around to get back on track. Luciano caught up with me then and riding together we really put the charge on, partly because I thought I had lost a lot more time than I had. We did a good job all the way from the refuelling to the finish. The ground out there was incredible – there’s been so much rain, in some places it was like riding through giant rivers. It’s been a challenging day and I’m sure there will be plenty more to come as we make our way to the end.”

2023 Dakar Rally – Stage 9 Provisional Classification

1. Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) 3:18:44

2. Toby Price (KTM) 3:19:46

3. Skyler Howes (Husqvarna) 3:21:41

4. Jose Ignacio Cornejo (Honda) 3:24:56

5. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 3:26:37

6. Toni Mulec (Husqvarna) 3:27:30

 

2023 Dakar – Provisional Overall Classification [After Stage 9]

1. Skyler Howes (Husqvarna) 33:55:57

2. Toby Price (KTM) 33:56:00

3. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 34:01:06

4. Adrien Van Beveren (Honda) 34:11:37

5. Pablo Quintanilla (Honda) 34:14:21

6. Mason Klein (KTM) 34:14:39

…

7. Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) 34:17:32

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by KTM Factory Racing:

RUNNER-UP RESULT FOR TOBY PRICE ON STAGE NINE OF DAKAR RALLY

Dakar Rally 2023 – Stage 9

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Toby Price has posted the second quickest time on today’s stage nine at the 2023 Dakar Rally, moving up to second overall in the provisional standings, just three seconds from the lead. Kevin Benavides also delivered a strong stage, completing the special as fifth fastest, he now lies third overall. Matthias Walkner sits 11th overall following a tough day in the Saudi desert.

Fresh from their rest day, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing riders came into the 686-kilometer stage nine looking to secure strong results on the long, 358-kilometer timed special. With the first half of the stage made up of riverbeds and canyons, navigating cleanly proved difficult for a lot of riders. The second half of the special opened into a wide expanse of dunes on the way to the bivouac at Haradh.

Racing inside the top two on time for the entire stage today, Toby Price put in an excellent ride that saw him finish the stage as runner-up. Coming in just over one minute behind the winner, Price’s performance saw him move up to second overall in the provisional standings, just three seconds back. The two-time Dakar champion will now follow today’s winner into Wednesday’s stage 10, aiming to minimize the time lost to the chasing pack.

Toby Price: “Yeah, it’s been a good day for me. It looks like the boys in front got lost just before the refuel. I navigated through there really good, so that meant I was able to make up some minutes. I just tried to push on a bit today, I was trying really hard to keep up a fast pace but not make any big mistakes. All in all, I felt really good today, it’s nice to feel fresh after the rest day. It looks like tomorrow will be mostly all sand, so we’ll try our best there and see where we end up.”

Also producing a solid result on day nine, despite a small navigational error early on, Kevin Benavides celebrated his recent birthday in style by placing fifth on today’s stage. The 34-year-old had moved into third place by kilometer 85, but then lost several minutes trying to find one particularly tricky-to-navigate waypoint. Although Kevin lost his second-place overall position to teammate Price, he still lies in third, just over five minutes behind the leader.

Kevin Benavides: “Today was a really hard stage with a lot of navigation. I tried my best to make a good pace and focus on my road book. I pushed really hard right from the beginning but then lost a bit of time with a really complicated note in the road book – thankfully not as much as some of the riders ahead of me. After that I pushed on towards the finish and had a good, trouble-free ride. I’m pleased with my result today, so we’ll see how things go tomorrow.”

Falling foul of the same complicated note on the road book as Benavides, Matthias Walkner struggled for longer as he tried to find the waypoint and as such dropped around 20 minutes on his rivals. Pushing hard for the remainder of the special, Walkner was able to regain a number of places to ultimately complete the stage in 27th. He now lies 11th in the overall standings.

Matthias Walkner: “It was a really hard stage for me today. Although I tried to give it my all, I got lost at one point and that cost me a lot of time. Not the best day for me at all. I spent most of the day riding on my own, so it was difficult to judge my pace, too. It’s frustrating because I feel stronger with my wrist, but it was just that one small mistake that has cost me some minutes. I’ll try my best tomorrow and keep on pushing to the finish.”

Wednesday’s stage 10 from Haradh to Shaybah will see riders cover a total distance of 624 kilometers, with a relatively short 114-kilometer timed special raced against the clock.

Provisional Results – 2023 Dakar Rally, Stage 9

1. Luciano Benavides (ARG), Husqvarna, 3:18:44

2. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 3:19:46 +1:02

3. Skyler Howes (USA), Husqvarna, 3:21:41 +2:57

4. Jose Ignacio Cornejo (CHI), Honda, 3:24:56 +6:12

5. Kevin Benavides (ARG), KTM, 3:26:37 +7:53

Other KTM

27. Matthias Walkner (AUT), KTM, 3:43:42 +24:58

 

Provisional Standings – 2023 Dakar Rally (after 9 of 14 stages)

1. Skyler Howes (USA), Husqvarna, 33:55:57

2. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 33:56:00 +0:03

3. Kevin Benavides (ARG), KTM, 34:01:06 +5:09

4. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA), Honda, 34:11:37 +15:40

5. Pablo Quintanilla (CHI), Honda, 34:14:21 +18:24

Other KTM

11. Matthias Walkner (AUT), KTM, 34:40:33 +44:36

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by GASGAS Factory Racing:

CHALLENGING DAY IN THE DESERT FOR SANDERS AS STAGE NINE SERVES UP SOME TESTING NAVIGATION

RED BULL GASGAS FACTORY RACING’S DANIEL SANDERS DIGS DEEP TO COMPLETE THE SPECIAL AND REMAINS POSITIVE ABOUT THE DAYS AHEAD

In rally racing, anything can, and often does, happen. And today was one of those days for Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Daniel Sanders. Faced with the arduous task of helping to lead out on stage nine after his runner-up finish on stage eight, Chucky frustratingly lost a substantial amount of time in a rocky plateau early on in the 358km special and would ultimately go on to finish in 20th place. Despite the challenging day in the saddle, importantly, Daniel is over the sickness bug which derailed his week-one charge and is now fighting fit and ready to attack, starting with tomorrow’s stage 10.

Week two of the Dakar begins with a frustrating start

Daniel lies ninth overall after challenging special stage

Stage 10 up next and it’s set to be a sandy one!

Daniel Sanders: “Today was always going to be tough leading out and early on I quickly caught up with the leading riders. There was a note in the roadbook to head up into a rocky plateau but once up there it was really hard to find the way. I reckon I lost around 15 minutes or so there, but that’s how rally goes sometimes. It’s a little frustrating but all I can do is keep moving forward and I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”

Eager to kick off week two with another solid stage result, Daniel maintained a blistering pace through the early part of the ninth special in his bid to lose the least amount of time as possible to his rivals, who all benefitted from following the tire tracks left in the sand by his awesome RX 450F. But as is sometimes the way in rally, navigating through unridden, rocky terrain with minimal roadbook instructions can be seriously tough. Nevertheless, despite knowing he was losing time, Sanders remained cool, eventually finding the right way. After that it was full gas to the finish line!

Results (provisional): Dakar Rally 2023, stage 9

1. Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) 3:18:44

2. Toby Price (KTM) 3:19:46

3. Skyler Howes (Husqvarna) 3:21:41

20. Daniel Sanders (GASGAS) 3:38:25

 

Overall Provisional Classification (after stage 9)

1. Skyler Howes (Husqvarna) 33:55:57

2. Toby Price (KTM) 33:56:00

3. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 34:01:06

9. Daniel Sanders (GASGAS) 34:19:44

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by Monster Energy Honda Team:

A HARD DAY FOR THE TEAM REACHING HARADH

Back to the action after the rest day, the Dakar Rally entered its last week in the deserts of Saudi Arabia. Stage number nine made the connection between Riyadh and Haradh, with a special stage of 359 kilometers and a liaison of 328 km. Wadis, canyons and dunes were the ingredients of a day where navigation was once again a key factor of success.

Monster Energy Honda Team had a hard day but keeps a strong position in the top ten. Jose Ignacio Cornejo, who is doing here his seventh Dakar, was today the fastest one of the squad. He finished in fifth place (6:12 minutes gap to the leader) and managed to climb some steps in the overall standings, where he sits now in eighth position. On his eighth Dakar Rally, Adrien Van Beveren reached Haradh in the 14th position (15:48 minutes gap to the leader) but did not compromise his ranking in the overall standings (4th place). Pablo Quintanilla is the most experienced of the team, he started the Dakar Rally back in 2013 and was second last year. He finished today’s stage in 18th position (18:36 minutes gap to the leader) and will start stage number 10 in the 5th place of the overall standings.

Tomorrow is time to move in the direction of Shaybah to race the 10th stage of the race. This selective section has been kept deliberately short – just 114 kilometers – as an approach into the bowels of the Empty Quarter. A long liaison (508 km) will take up most of the day, so this true appetizer will be mainly composed of the local delicacy: sand.

Ruben Faria

General Manager

“This was a difficult stage for Monster Energy Honda Team in the comeback from the rest day. Nacho Cornejo did very well and managed to approach himself to the top contenders and shorten his gap climbing one step in the overall standings. Adrien and Pablo had quite a hard day opening the track. They know how it is in the Dakar when you are in those circumstances. I know they did their best and were both able to keep positions in the overall standings, losing some time but still in a very good position to say a word in the discussion for this year’s title”.

José Ignacio Cornejo  11

“This was the first stage after the rest day. Navigation was kind of tricky, we started with some dunes then some rocky piste. I was feeling pretty good from the beginning, made no navigation mistakes and was riding at a good pace. Then I crashed, not too fast, but got stuck under the bike and damaged the road-book. I have to thank Santolino because he was there and helped me. I lost some minutes, but not too much and managed to continue at a good pace. ”

Adrien Van Beveren  42

“This was a hard day for me. I started fifth and at around kilometer one hundred the navigation was tricky in the big plateau and it was difficult to see the tracks. Then I found the waypoint and then we were all five riders together. Mason was riding without a road-book very close to me and around 20 km from the end he came from behind and we both crashed. So I am glad I could make it to the end of the stage.”

Pablo Quintanilla  7

“This was a tough day for us, the ones who were riding in front. I caught the group in front at around 120 km. There was a tricky note in the road-book close to a plateau and I lost 2 or 3 minutes there. Then Adrien caught me and we were riding together until the end. It was really difficult today, because the road-book had a lot of different directions. We knew we were going to lose some time. It is always easier when you come from behind. The Dakar is like this, sometimes you get a good position, others you just don’t”.

American Flat Track: KTM Continuing With Kopp & Whale In AFT Singles

Red Bull KTM riders Kody Kopp (left) and Max Whale (right). Photo courtesy KTM Factory Racing.
Red Bull KTM riders Kody Kopp (left) and Max Whale (right). Photo courtesy KTM Factory Racing.

RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING TEAM SET TO DEFEND AFT SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP IN 2023

REIGNING CHAMPION KODY KOPP JOINED BY TEAMMATE MAX WHALE ONCE AGAIN

January 10, 2023

MURRIETA, Calif. – A new racing season is underway in 2023 and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Flat Track team has been hard at work preparing for the upcoming American Flat Track Championship. Reigning AFT Singles Champion, Kody Kopp, will proudly display the No. 1 plate aboard his KTM 450 SX-F in 2023 as he returns to defend his first title in the class, alongside fierce championship contender and teammate, Max Whale.

With Kopp leading the charge in 2022, the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing duo amassed eight race-wins and 10 podium finishes in AFT Singles competition, delivering two top-five finishes in the overall championship standings. For the now 18-year-old Kopp, championship management was in full effect through the latter half of the year, and he did what he needed to do to clinch his first-career title in his first year with the team. Showcasing impressive speed and skill across all tracks and racing conditions, Kopp has his sights set on upping the ante in 2023.

Kody Kopp: “The 2023 season is here and so are the new KTM 450 SX-Fs! I am really liking the new bike and I am confident we are going to pick up right where we left off in 2022, with winning the AFT Singles Championship. It’s the first time in my career that I will get to run the #1 plate and I don’t have plans on letting go of it anytime soon.”

 

Kody Kopp (1), the defending AFT Singles Champion. Photo courtesy KTM Factory Racing.
Kody Kopp (1), the defending AFT Singles Champion. Photo courtesy KTM Factory Racing.

Heading into his third year with the team, Whale looks to build upon his strong showing in the first two seasons aboard the KTM 450 SX-F. The aussie came out swinging in 2022, finishing on the podium in four of the first five races, before a mid-season knee injury kept him off the grid for two rounds. Clawing his way back to the center of the podium with a significant win at the Peoria TT, Whale finished the season strong with a top-five overall.

Max Whale: “The 2023 season, what’s there not to be excited for? The team is on the all-new and improved 2023 KTM 450 SX-F. We have the same team as last year, so I’m super excited. Kody and I had a great year last year, we were both inside the top five with Kody winning the championship. Missing a few rounds definitely hurt my overall points, but needless to say, our team was the most dominant singles team there was. To say I’m more than excited for next year is an understatement. I’m definitely working as hard as I can, and I just want to be on top in 2023. I have one goal for next year and that’s to win the championship.”

 

Max Whale (18). Photo courtesy KTM Factory Racing.
Max Whale (18). Photo courtesy KTM Factory Racing.

Chris Fillmore: “Our plan remains the same for 2023 – to win races and take the championship. We had a very successful 2022 season in terms of race results, which is something for our entire team to be proud of. We expect that the other teams will be working even harder, so it will not come easily for us, but we will take what was learned from the past season and push forward. Kody will now be starting his sophomore season on the team with the confidence and expectation to lead the pack. Max, without the mid-season injury would have finished second overall in 2022, and I know his focus is set on the top spot. We’re moving to a newest generation KTM 450 SX-F for 2023 and from early tests, the riders feel that this bike is better in every way for Flat Track. So, only time will tell, but we will work hard over the winter break and anxiously await the start of the season in Daytona.”

For more information on the American Flat Track Championship, please visit their website www.americanflattrack.com.

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