Amassing bonus time for opening 4th Dakar Rally stage • Complete Bike

STRONG PERFORMANCE SEES HUSQVARNA FACTORY RACING RIDER MOVE UP TO SECOND OVERALL IN THE PROVISIONAL RALLY STANDINGS

Husqvarna Manufacturing unit Racing’s Skyler Howes has delivered one other distinctive experience on the Dakar Rally at this time, putting third on stage 4, regardless of opening a lot of the particular. The American’s spectacular efficiency has elevated him from fourth to second within the provisional total standings. Luciano Benavides positioned a superb sixth on at this time’s stage and continues to extend his tempo and transfer up the leaderboard the place he now lies ninth.

It was one other difficult day within the desert for all rivals on the 2023 Dakar Rally. With yesterday’s rain making the dunes harder to experience by and much more unpredictable, riders needed to focus for one hundred pc of at this time’s 425-kilometre timed particular. Because the second rider into that particular, Skyler Howes was among the many first to expertise the powerful situations. However as he has demonstrated to this point throughout this 12 months’s occasion, he’s greater than able to navigating his approach easily by any terrain.

Catching the one rider beginning forward of him, Howes was then joined by one other, and the three of them rode in a bunch as much as the refuelling level – all accumulating bonus time for opening the stage. A big crash within the second half of the particular knocked Skyler’s confidence somewhat, however the #10 was in a position to preserve a strong tempo to the end to finally safe his top-three consequence. After 4 levels, Howes’ consistency is paying off because the FR 450 Rally rider now lies second total within the provisional standings, three and a half minutes down on the chief.

Luciano Benavides can be displaying nice pace over the various situations seen at this forty fifth working of the Dakar Rally. Taking his time to construct his confidence and tempo, whereas making certain no main errors are made along with his navigation, Benavides delivered his finest results of the race to this point at this time, ending the bodily demanding stage in sixth place. The consequence strikes the Argentinian as much as ninth within the total standings.

Skyler Howes: “That one was powerful. I caught as much as Sanders round kilometre 100, and Mason (Klein) caught up as effectively, so the three of us have been preventing on the entrance to open the stage. It was a super-fun day within the morning – the dunes have been actually moist, however then softer on the highest, and I really went over the bars a few instances, which isn’t nice. I led into the refuelling after which after that I had a very large crash in a piece of rocks. We have been looking out to seek out the right approach and I will need to have simply clipped one and it despatched me sideways. Fortunately Sanders was shut by and helped me up. After that I discovered it exhausting to seek out my rhythm for an excellent whereas, I used to be driving like a zombie. However then in direction of the top I discovered my focus and was in a position to navigate effectively to the end. I would like somewhat relaxation now, however I’m pleased with how issues are going total.”

Luciano Benavides: “Day 4 within the books, but it surely feels extra like day 10! No, I’m tremendous completely satisfied to complete one other stage in a single piece with no crashes and no large errors. It was a loopy stage once more with loads of quick, off-piste sections. The highest 10 guys are pushing like hell each day, so it is advisable do the identical in the event you’re going to stay within the race. I feel I did an excellent job, my tempo is sweet, my outcomes are enhancing day-by-day, and I’m feeling wholesome and powerful. I’m trying ahead to tomorrow.”

2023 Dakar Rally – Stage 4 Provisional Classification

1. Joan Barreda (Honda) 4:28:18
2. Pablo Quintanilla (Honda) 4:28:34
3. Skyler Howes (Husqvarna) 4:29:23
4. Toby Worth (KTM) 4:30:42
5. Adrien Van Beveren (Honda) 4:30:55
6. Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) 4:31:31

2023 Dakar – Provisional Total Classification [After Stage 4]

1. Daniel Sanders (GASGAS) 18:40:03
2. Skyler Howes (Husqvarna) 18:43:36
3. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 18:44:08
4. Joan Barreda (Honda) 18:44:33
5. Toby Worth (KTM) 18:47:20
6. Mason Klein (KTM) 18:50:08
…
9. Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) 19:01:19