Australian rider Daniel Sanders has claimed the first true stage victory for the Red Bull KTM Factory Team. Covering the 413-kilometer special from Bisha to Bisha in just 4 hours and 41 minutes, Sanders set the pace for the competition. Close behind, Honda’s Ricky Brabec finished 2 minutes and 4 seconds later, followed by Ross Branch on his Hero bike, just 22 seconds behind Brabec. The diverse top three showcases the high level of competition this year.
A clear gap in the standings
One notable observation is the time difference between the top five and the rest of the top 10. While the top five riders were tightly grouped, a gap of six minutes separates fifth place from sixth. Beyond that, the rest of the top 10 riders were once again closer in time. Many competitors reportedly missed turns and ended up back on yesterday’s prologue track, adding to the challenges of the stage.
Despite the navigation struggles, the top 10 motorbike riders avoided penalties for missing waypoints. The only penalty in the group was a two-minute time addition for Luciano Benavides, likely due to speeding in a controlled zone.
A touch of Dutch pride
Bradley Cox, riding for the BAS World KTM Racing Team, secured a solid 10th-place finish in this first stage. The team, led by Bart van der Velden, entered the rally with nine riders but saw one drop out before the start. Edgar Canet, a promising young talent, was picked up by the Red Bull KTM Factory Team. Canet impressed yesterday by finishing third in the prologue.
