Brabec Out, Howes & Klein In Top 3
It was the best of times and it was the worst of times for the Americans at the Dakar Rally. Former winner (2020) Ricky Brabec crashed his Honda out of contention on Stage 3, while Skyler Howes and Stage 2 winner Mason Klein chased Aussie Daniel Sanders to the finish.
“Honestly, this has to be one of the best days I’ve ever had on a motorcycle,” said Howes after posting the second fastest time, despite having to break trail. “The sand was wet and so nice to ride, the mountains here are huge and incredibly beautiful, I can’t describe how it felt to race through there.”
“Tough day on the job and certainly ashamed to be out of the hunt,” noted Brabec from the local hospital where he is being kept under observation. “After a crash about mid-way of a 460km special I was unsure of my situation and was concerned about the burning sensations in my neck down to my shoulder. From past injuries this was the same feeling as breaking my neck… and with the hardware installed, it's a scary feeling not knowing what has happened. Tough one to swallow and go home with but we're not done here…”
Today’s Stage 4 start and finish at the Ha’Il bivouac with 425 kilometers of racing and152 klicks of liaison in between. Sheer mountains of sand will challenge riders for the first 100 kilometers. After that, there is tricky navigation on the sandy tracks leading back to Ha’Il. Some 72% of the course will be sand dunes and sand tracks, 10% of dirt tracks and 9% rocky sections.
2023 Dakar Rally
Provisional Overall Classification [After Stage 3]
1. Daniel Sanders (GASGAS) 14:05:38
2. Mason Klein (KTM) 14:09:42
3. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 14:12:31
4. Skyler Howes (Husqvarna) 14:14:13
5. Joan Barreda (Honda) 14:16:15
6. Toby Price (KTM) 14:16:38