Rider suffers serious fall as Peterhansel makes Dakar history
Australians Daniel Sanders and Toby Price have made some small ground on a historic, but sad Stage 2 of the 2024 Dakar Rally.
After solid rides through the 463km journey from Al Henakiyah to Al Duwadimi Sanders and Price are in the mix, sitting sixth and eighth overall respectively in the bike standings currently led by Ross Branch.
Aussie T3 pairing Glenn Brinkman and Dale Moscatt had a tough time in the sand, losing almost two hours after more than half a day on the road. They currently sit 23rd in class, just over three hours back.
In the Cars it was a momentous day as Dakar legend Stephane Peterhansel took his 50th stage win at the iconic event.
Daniel Sanders is the highest place Aussie on his Red Bull Gas Gas Factory Racing machine. Image: Marcelo Maragni / Red Bull Content Pool
Peterhansel is already an all time Dakar great, winning the event a massive 14 times between 1991 and 2021, with six on two wheels and eight on four.
Now at the age of 58 the Frenchman bounced back from a bruising opening day to raise a half century of stage victories.
He overcame Prodrive’s Sebastien Loeb by 29 seconds, while Carlos Sainz has hit the overall lead by the best part of two minutes.
However, it was also a day tinged with sadness with Spanish rider Carles Falcon in a serious, but stable condition after a horrific crash.
Falcon fell just 15km short of the finish line and received immediate medical assistance from a crew that had arrived on a helicopter before being airlifted to Al Duwadimi hospital.
Dakar race director David Castera revealed Falcon did not have a pulse when the doctor first arrived but was successfully resuscitated.
Falcon was initially reported to be in a “serious condition” whilst his TwinTrail Racing Team has since confirmed he is in an induced coma.
Toby Price riding in the lonely sand dunes of Saudi Arabia. Image: Florent Gooden / DPPI / Red Bull Content Pool
“He is in an induced coma and has cerebral oedema,” the team said.
“The prospects for recovery are uncertain at this stage, and the rider is expected to remain in hospital for at least a week in Riyadh.
“He was evacuated from the special stage by helicopter. Initially Carles was unconscious and without a pulse, but the doctors revived him.
“He was admitted to Al Duwadimi hospital where he underwent further tests. It has been confirmed that he has a fracture of the C2 which needs to be operated on urgently.
“He will be transferred to Riyadh Hospital this evening. Carles will be kept under sedation for the next few days to monitor the evolution of the oedema he has suffered in his head.
“Isaac Feliu, his team-mate, will not continue in the race and has travelled with the press team to be by his side. As soon as we have news, we will inform you about his condition and evolution.
“The team and the family are grateful for all the messages of support we have received.”
A 438km special awaits in stage 3 from Al Duwadimi to Al Salamiya.
Main image by Flavien Duhamel / Red Bull Content Pool
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