Big news of the day: Lorenzo Santolino takes the win for Sherco!
The Spanish rider secured his very first stage victory, marking a historic milestone for the Sherco Factory Team in Saudi Arabia. Santolino triumphed after a dramatic battle on the course, where Bradley Cox had been leading for most of the day. The turning point came when Lorenzo caught up with Pablo Quintanilla, who had started five minutes ahead of him. This gave Santolino the confidence he needed to push for the win.
On his Facebook page, the Sherco rider described the stage as a mix of high-speed sections and challenging technical terrain. The final stretch, in particular, proved tricky for navigation. “It was worth it, despite the risks I had to take,” he wrote, celebrating his hard-fought victory.
Bradley Cox Penalized, Drops Out of Podium Contention
South African rider Bradley Cox seemed destined for a strong second-place finish with his BAS World KTM Racing bike, even looking poised to challenge for the win. However, his efforts were overshadowed by a six-minute penalty for speeding during the special stage.
The penalty saw Cox drop to 11th place in the stage results, reshuffling the rankings. Ricky Brabec moved up to claim second place, while Skyler Howes secured the final podium spot in third.
Daniel Sanders Faces Challenges, Barely Holds Lead
The winning streak of Australian rider Daniel Sanders came to an end today. Opening the stage proved to be a significant challenge, costing him 15 minutes compared to the stage winner. Sanders finished 21st in the stage, putting his overall lead under serious threat.
The gap at the top of the general classification has nearly vanished, with Sanders now holding just a slim two-minute advantage over Skyler Howes and a two-minute-and-five-second lead over Ross Branch.
The fight for the top spots remains wide open, with the top three riders representing three different manufacturers: KTM, Honda, and Hero. The race promises even more excitement in the days to come!
