longer race, and maybe another
step higher on the podium, but
I can't tell you how stoked I am
to finish as runner-up. Things
went well over the whole race
and in the end, it came down to
just seconds on the final stage.
Thankfully, I had a really good
ride and was able to defend my
position in the standings."
Third went to Caimi, a first po-
dium for the Indian manufacturer
Hero in FIM Rally racing.
"We pushed hard during the
entire race and in the end, missed
the second position by just six
seconds," Caimi said. "I am really
happy with the result and looking
forward to growing with the team. I
am sure we can accomplish great
things together."
Fourth was a somewhat dis-
appointing result for Australian
Daniel Sanders. Winner of three
stages—more than any other
rider—the factory GasGas rider
suffered time losses on stages
one and two with ninth- and
sixth-place finishes, respectively,
putting him out of contention for
the win despite dominating the
remaining three stages.
"I pushed really hard today to
try and get onto the overall po-
dium, but it wasn't quite enough,"
Sanders said. "I left everything out
there and did everything I could to
make time up on the riders ahead,
but it was a short stage and there
wasn't much to separate us all
today. I learned a lot this week, I
felt great on the bike, and I know I
have the speed so it's all positive.
When we get home from here my
main focus will be on improving
my navigation as this is where
I feel I'm lacking a little bit. But
overall, a pretty decent week for
me and the team."
Rounding out the top five was
the second Hero machine of
Sebastian Buhler. The rally was a
disappointing one for the Yamaha
contingency, with Ross Branch
dropping out of the rally on day
three with a mechanical issue,
and Adrien Van Beveren and
Andrew Short finishing sixth and
eighth, respectively.
CN
OVERALL
1. Mathias Walkner (KTM)
2. Skyler Howes (Hus)
3. Franco Caimi (Her)
4. Daniel Sanders (GG)
5. Sebastian Buhler (Her)
IN
THE
WIND
P56
Daniel Sanders was the quickest rider across the rally but early errors in
stages one and two cost him the chance of an overall podium.
Skyler Howes took
the first world
championship podium
of his career with
second for Husqvarna.
