Morocco, Stage 3: KTM takes the stage win – Sanders and Brabec face problems

The third stage took the competitors through a variety of landscapes around Zagora, including the region’s valleys and the dunes of Merzouga and Snegui. The high temperatures and the technically demanding sections of the route once again presented the drivers with considerable physical and driving challenges.

The start and finish were once again at the bivouac in Zagora. Following the 360-kilometre special stage and a further 231-kilometre liaison section, the overall standings were turned on their head.

The stage victory went to Red Bull KTM rider Luciano Benavides, who crossed the finish line in 3:55:36 hours. The Argentine secured victory with a lead of 1:58 minutes over Honda ace Tosha Schareina (Honda). In third place was Hero rider Nacho Cornejo, 2 minutes and 1 second behind – marking the first time three different manufacturers had featured on the day’s podium!

Daniel Sanders (KTM) and Ricky Brabec (Honda), who started the stage, lost ground. Despite a time bonus, Brabec was 6 minutes and 48 seconds behind the stage winner, whilst Sanders was 8 minutes and 24 seconds adrift. This proved to be the moment of truth for KTM youngster Edgar Canet, who surged into the overall lead, 2 minutes and 47 seconds behind. With Luciano Benavides and Sanders, KTM even holds a one-two-three lead. Brabec follows in fourth place. The top four are within 2:48 minutes of each other – so with two race days still to go, nothing has been decided yet.

Remarkably, Martim Ventura from the Honda Racing Corporation’s Rally2 team finished fifth on Stage 3, making him the best-placed Honda rider!

Other results on Thursday: Skyler Howes (10th/ZX Moto), Neels Theric (11th/Kove) and Lorenzo Santolino (15th/Sherco). Tobias Ebster (Rally2), riding the second ZX Moto, lost nearly 30 minutes.