Shaybah to Bivouac Empty Quarter • Complete Motorbike

Main rivals from Shaybah to the bivouac within the Empty Quarter, at present’s stage 11 delivered 274-kilometers of dunes and tracks raced towards the clock. With instances nonetheless tight on the high of the leaderboard, riders needed to push exhausting over the grueling terrain to safe their positions whereas additionally being aware to take further care of their machines, as no exterior help is permitted in a single day.

After the 153-kilometer liaison this morning, Toby Value was the nineteenth rider to enter at present’s particular. The Australian made regular progress by means of the stage, balancing out-and-out pace with the preservation of himself and his KTM 450 RALLY. Finally posting the third-fastest time for the stage, just below two minutes down on the chief, means Toby climbs again as much as second general within the provisional standings and also will have two riders to chase down on tomorrow’s barely shorter 185-kilometer particular on stage 12.

Toby Value: “I believe the stage went nicely for me at present, I used to be capable of get a bit little bit of time again and that places me in good rivalry for the rostrum locations nonetheless. I’m feeling in good condition and the bike is ideal, so no points there. Beginning again a bit bit positively helped at present. I did make a bit mistake early on, like a few the blokes in entrance I believe, however was capable of appropriate it fairly shortly and keep it up. I simply took it fairly regular at present – pushed the place it was protected to take action after which eased off a bit to ensure I didn’t make any errors. I’ll be third away for tomorrow, which isn’t too dangerous, so I’ll carry on preventing and see the place we find yourself.”

In distinction to his teammate Value, Kevin Benavides set off close to the entrance of at present’s stage, and with little in the best way of tracks forward of him, the Argentinian needed to rigorously navigate his means by means of the dunes of the particular. Making good time by means of the primary half of the stage, Benavides fought his means as much as fourth, however was then pressured to ease his tempo after catching the lead group of riders, which he joined on the ultimate kilometers to the end. In inserting tenth, Kevin drops to 3rd general within the rankings, however trails the chief by lower than three minutes.

Kevin Benavides: “One other powerful day and the primary a part of the marathon stage at present. I began in fourth place and tried to push immediately. I did a very good job, I caught the blokes in entrance after refueling, and from there we rode collectively for the final 80 kilometers or so. The bike is all prepared within the parc fermé and I’ve a very good begin place for tomorrow, so it’s only a case of making an attempt to make up time and keep within the struggle.”

Having fun with his time within the Saudi desert, Matthias Walkner delivered a robust trip to thirteenth place, regardless of a few points alongside the best way. Having misplaced time by means of harm within the first week of the occasion, Matthias really feel much less underneath stress and plans to finish his 2023 Dakar on a excessive, attacking the remaining levels and securing a strong end.

Matthias Walkner: “I had a very good stage at present. It was good enjoyable using within the Empty Quarter for the second day and it actually lived as much as its title as there was nothing to see for miles round. I made a little bit of a mistake early on that price me some minutes, however then I managed to get caught in a pocket of sentimental sand that took a short while to get out of. There is no such thing as a distinction in any respect within the desert and also you by no means know when one thing like this may occur. I pushed exhausting after refueling to make up time, and that was nice enjoyable leaping off the dunes. It actually was a ravishing stage. I’ve a very good begin place for tomorrow, so I’ll purpose for a top-three end.”

Riders return to their groups on the bivouac in Shaybah tomorrow on day 12 of the rally, overlaying a complete of 376 kilometers, 185 of that are timed particular stage.

Provisional Outcomes – 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 Value (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
Different 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 levels)

1. Skyler Howes (USA), Husqvarna, 38:47:43
2. Toby Value (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
Different KTM
9. Mason Klein (USA), KTM, 39:19:18 +31:35
10. Matthias Walkner (AUT), KTM, 39:32:28 +44:45