Two stages before the end of this 38th edition, general standings leader Toby Price (KTM) again controlled the bike race today. Unlike yesterday, when he had to open the way, the Australian followed the pace of his rivals before making a special effort on the second half of the stage. This evening, the official KTM leader increases his lead and now boasts a lead of more than 35 minutes over Stefan Svitko. Behind the Australian, the fight for the third step on the podium attracted most of the attention.
Antoine Meo won the stage at the end of an exceptional day during which he regained 2’48” from Chilean Pablo Quintanilla. As a result, the Frenchman is now on the third step of the virtual podium in the general standings. This stage was also marked by the withdrawal of Paulo Gonçalves (Honda) after a fall.
With a lead of 23 minutes over Stefan Svitko, his nearest rival in the general standings, Toby Price did not really need to take any risks today. Whilst he did not lose his head, the KTM rider made a point of honour of beating his adversary with a flourish. The Australian gained more than 12 minutes over the Slovak in San Juan.
However, the duel that attracted special attention was the one opposing Antoine Meo, fourth in the general standings this morning, and Pablo Quintanilla, who was third. Separated by 1’15” at the start of the special, the two men traded blow for blow. In difficulty at one point and looking like giving in, the Frenchman raised the pace at a time when the Chilean was encountering brake problems. This was a godsend for the five times enduro world champion, who distanced his rival by 2’38” at the finishing line. Stefan Svitko, who was fifth on today’s stage, finished 12 minutes behind the Frenchman and has legitimate reasons to start worrying.
In second position in the general standings, he only has a lead of 8’23” over Meo. With two days left before the finish in Rosario, the question is obvious: can Antoine Meo catch Svitko? This will be one of the major stakes on what promises to be an exiting end to this Dakar.
However, the positions and gaps could be subject to change, bearing in mind that the bike and quad special was halted at CP2 after 243 km due to the excessive heat that put a significant number of competitors in difficulty. Seeing as the leading riders had completed the entire special, the race management will have to take a decision on validation of the times.