Matthias Walkner debuted his new motorcycle at the 44th Dakar Rally, expressing contentment with his initial performance.
Motorcycle racer Matthias Walkner concluded the 2022 Dakar Rally prologue in a commendable fifth position in Saudi Arabia. The Salzburg native trailed Australian Daniel Sanders of the GasGas Team by 2 minutes and 35 seconds on New Year’s Day. Sanders will commence the first stage as the frontrunner on Sunday. The 44th Dakar Rally’s opening act involved traversing 614 kilometers north from Jeddah to Ha’il; however, timing was limited to a mere 19-kilometer stretch.
Rounding out the top five were Chilean Pablo Quintanilla (Honda), Botswana’s Ross Branch (Yamaha), and Walkner’s KTM teammate and reigning champion, Argentina’s Kevin Benavides. The prologue victor enjoys the privilege of selecting their starting position on Sunday.
Walkner’s Inaugural Ride with New Machine
Walkner acknowledged a slight lack of familiarity with his new bike, employed for the first time in competition. “I identified a few areas needing further refinement. it was a positive beginning and an acceptable result for day one,” he mentioned. He finished a mere 31 seconds behind Sanders; however, regulations mandated a fivefold penalty.
Walkner holds the distinction of being the only Austrian victor, triumphing in the 2018 rally, then held in Argentina. This year marks his eighth Dakar participation for the 35-year-old, following a ninth-place finish last year.
Automobiles: Al-Attiyah Achieves Top Speed
In the automobile category, Qatari Nasser Al-Attiyah showcased his prowess, outpacing Spaniard Carlos Sainz in his new hybrid Audi by twelve seconds with his Toyota. The rally progresses on Sunday with a stage north of Ha’il. The total journey spans 514 km, with the timed section covering 334 km. (APA / Red)
