Getting her 11th Dakar Rally participation underway, Laia Sanz has successfully completed the opening day¡¯s competition, safely finishing the rocky 623-kilometer stage in 34th position. Offering riders no easy start to the 43rd running of the iconic event, stage one had ¡®a little bit of everything¡¯ with rocky tracks and challenging navigation ensuring a demanding first day in the saddle.

• Laia safely completes stage one of 2021 Dakar Rally
• Demanding, stony terrain ensures challenging 623-kilometer stage
• First sand dunes of 2021 event lie ahead in stage two

Laia Sanz: ¡°That was certainly a very real Dakar stage – there was a little bit of everything with some very technical sections. I¡¯m quite happy with the way everything went for me, I¡¯m really not pushing too hard and just trying to find my rhythm and speed again. I managed to get lost near to the end of the special, which is frustrating, but the nice thing is I am sure that we will have more good stages like this and that I will be able to improve my position in the overall standings.¡±




Just as in 2020 the opening stage of the 2021 Dakar rally was anything but an easy one, much to Laia¡¯s liking. Allowing the Spaniard to finally flex her muscle on her GASGAS RC 450F, in taking a cautious approach to the stage she ensured a safe arrival at the finish with her bike undamaged, despite picking up a three-minute penalty for speeding.

With the event¡¯s opening stage now complete, next up for Laia will be the 685-kilometer stage two. Delivering the first sand dunes of the event, it will also feature a special stage of 457-kilometers that will undoubtedly test the navigational skills of all motorcycle-class competitors.

Results (provisional): Dakar Rally 2021, stage 1

1. Toby Price (KTM) 3:18.26
2. Kevin Benavides (Honda) 3:18.57
3. Matthias Walkner (KTM) 3:18.58
34. Laia Sanz (GASGAS) 3:58.18