Red Bull KTM’s Sam Sunderland leads the way on Stage 1 of the 2015 Dakar Rally. Photography by RallyZone Bauer/Barni
The 2015 Dakar Rally officially got underway in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Sunday, January 4, and after the first stage, Red Bull KTM Factory Rally rider Sam Sunderland of Great Britain is showing the way. Seasoned Dakar veteran Paolo Goncalves of Honda’s HRC squad followed in a close second place, only five seconds behind, while Sunderland’s KTM teammate and accomplished champion Marc Coma riding patiently in third after day one. Goncalves’ HRC teammate Joan Barreda finished fourth on the day aboard his CRF450 RALLY, followed by Sherco-mounted Alain Duclos of France in fifth.
Riders took to the streets of Buenos Aires among thousands of fans watching the racers take to the 5600-mile (9000km) course that will take them through Argentina, Chile and Bolivia over the next two weeks. The opening stage was a short one at just over 100 miles (175km), followed by a sizeable liaison section of over 300 miles (nearly 500km).
Although KTM’s Sunderland is happy to take the early lead, the young Brit remains realistic about his expectations after day one.
“It’s difficult to judge your strategy based on the first day because you still don’t know who’s pulled out all the stops,” Sunderland said. “It’s also important not to go all in; you’ve got to leave something for the other stages. However, I think I had a good special and that’s always a reason to be happy. I’m a contender for the first day… I hope I’m also a contender at the end but there’s still a long road before us.”
Goncalves shares the sentiment, saying, “The first special served as a good warm-up. It went well, with a second place, which was great. But it’s a very long and hard rally. You must have great teamwork, be very focused, not make any mistakes and keep the mechanical and physical aspect in as good shape as possible, as this is not only a very long race, but a very tough one, too.”
Riders know that the Dakar Rally “gets serious” on Monday for stage two, which will take them from Villa Carlos Paz to San Juan, Argentina in the longest stage of the rally. Riders will face hard, rough terrain in the beginning, dusty sections in the middle and end the day in the first dunes of the rally.
Dakar Rally – Motorcycle Results
Provisional Standings After Stage 1
1. Sam Sunderland (KTM)
2. Paolo Goncalves (Hon)
3. Marc Coma (KTM)
4. Joan Barreda (Hon)
5. Alain Duclos (Shr)
6. Jeremias Israel (Hon)
7. David Casteu (KTM)
8. Mathias Walkner (KTM)
9. Pablo Quintanilla (KTM)
10. Ruben Faria (KTM)
For more on the Dakar Rally, visit www.Dakar.com
