2021 Dakar Prologue


Racing got underway at the 2021 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia as some of the biggest names in rally-raid took part in today’s 11km prologue stage. Holding an early lead in the car race is Qatar’s Nasser Al-Attiyah, while Ricky Brabec took first place in the bike category.

Nasser Al-Attiyah (QAT) of Toyota Gazoo Racing races during the prologue stage of Rally Dakar2021 around Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on January 02, 2021 // Marcelo Maragni/Red Bull Content Pool // 

In the car category it was three-time Dakar winner Al-Attiyah who gained the advantage in the prologue, claiming his 36th stage win. He will now open tomorrow’s 277km timed special stage.  The Qatari driver, who won the Dakar Rally in 2011, 2015 and 2019, said: “Things get serious tomorrow with a long opening stage.”

In the bike contest, defending champion Brabec won the prologue, six seconds ahead of Joan Barreda Bort in second. But former winners Toby Price, Matthias Walkner and Sam Sunderland all finished within a minute of the leader. Dakar debutant, Australian Daniel Sanders enjoyed an impressive prologue with the day’s third fastest time.

Daniel Sanders (AUS) of KTM Factory Racing races during the prologue stage of Rally Dakar2021 around Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on January 02, 2021 // Marcelo Maragni/Red Bull Content Pool //

 

“The bike was flying and I really had a good day. It was good to get rid of some nerves ahead of our first big day tomorrow.” ~ Daniel Sanders

Sanders was not the only Dakar rookie earning a place on the podium, as Seth Quintero scored second place in the Lightweight Vehicles category. The 18-year-old was denied the chance to race the Dakar last year on account of his age and is clearly in the mood to make up for lost time.

Toby Price (AUS) for Red Bull KTM Factory Team seen at the Podium of Rally Dakar 2021 Djeddah, Saudi Arabia on January 02, 2021. // Flavien Duhamel/Red Bull Content Pool //

“Prologue done ✔️ I’m in a good spot, situated roughly where I wanted to be so we are well and truely underway for #Dakar2021 and I’m excited for the days ahead… We’ll wait and see what the Rally brings us but ready for the race.”  Toby Price posted on Facebook

Serial truck race winners Team Kamaz Master are well set up after the prologue with all four of their crews within a minute of race leader Siarhei Viazovich. The closest Kamaz trucker to the top of the leaderboard is Anton Shibalov who stands just seven seconds off the pace.

In the quad category, it was a tight finish with Frenchman Alexandre Giroud taking top spot on the podium – finishing just one second ahead of Argentina’s Manuel Andujar.

There was also success for the duo of Austin Jones and Gustavo Gugelmin in the SSV category, with the pair finishing four seconds ahead of their nearest rivals.

300 Sainz Carlos (esp), Cruz Lucas (esp), Mini, X-Raid Mini JCW Team, Auto, action during the Dakar 2021’s Prologue and start podium ceremony in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on January 2, 2021 – Photo Antonin Vincent / DPPI

 


STANDINGS – DAKAR 2021



Car

1. Nasser Al-Attiyah (QAT)/Matthieu Baumel (FRA) Toyota Gazoo Racing 0h05m48s
2. Brian Baragwanath (ZAF)/Taye Perry (ZAF) Century Racing 0h05m48s
3. Yazeed Al Rajhi (SAU)/Dirk von Zitzewitz (DEU) Overdrive Toyota +0h00m08s

Bike
1. Ricky Brabec (USA) Honda 00h06m01s
2. Joan Barreda Bort (ESP) Honda +00h00m06s
3. Daniel Sanders (AUS) KTM +00h00m13s

Truck
1. Siarhei Viazovich (BLR) Mazda 00h06m38s
2. Aliaksei Vishneuski (BLR) Mazda +00h00m01s
3. Martin Macik (CZE) Iveco 00h00m03s

SSV
1. Austin Jones (USA)/Gustavo Gugelmin (BRA) Can-Am 00h06m43s
2. Reinaldo Varela (BRA)/Maykel Justo (BRA) Can-Am +00h00m04s
3. Saleh Alsaif (SAU)/Oriol Vidal Montijano (ESP) Black Horse +00h00m05s

Quad
1. Alexandre Giroud (FRA) Yamaha 00h07m35s
2. Manuel Andujar (ARG) Yamaha +00h00m01s
3. Kamil Wisniewski (POL) Yamaha +00h00m04s