VOLUME 58 ISSUE 2 JANUARY 12, 2021 P53
Skyler Howes is doing
America proud. The
Utah resident is back for
another Dakar assault
with the BAS Dakar KTM
Racing Team and even
led the Rally after Stage
Three. Howes has run
a consistent top seven
pace and stayed out
of trouble to be a solid
seventh after Stage Eight,
19m20s behind Cornejo.
A podium looks a long
shot, but a top five is
certainly a possibility.
(Bottom left) Kevin Benavides has proven a
model of consistency in this year's Dakar. The
Argentine took the win on Stage Five and is
still in the hunt in fourth overall, 12m58s behind
Cornejo. As it stands, Honda is having the best
Dakar in their history with Cornejo leading,
Benavides fourth, Barreda fifth and Brabec in
sixth place. (Bottom middle) Joan Barreda has
more stage wins than anyone else in this years'
Dakar with three, but like almost every other
Dakar the Spanish legend has contested, his
speed has been marred with inconsistency.
Barreda's not out of it yet in fifth, 16m05s from
leader and teammate Cornejo, but it'll be a tall
order for him to overcome the world's best with
four stages to go in what looks like being his
final Dakar on two wheels as he searches for
that elusive Dakar trophy. (Bottom right) 2017
Dakar Champion Sam Sunderland has played
the waiting game in Saudi Arabia. The Briton
hasn't finished higher than fourth in any stage
of the Rally, but his consistent top-five finishes
mean he's in the prime position to attack in the
final four stages. Sunderland lies third overall,
05m57s behind Cornejo, as Monday, January 11.
