Stage four provides Joan Barreda with a second victory in the 2021 Dakar
By Team TMX on 6th Jan 21
Once again, a Monster Energy Honda Team rider claimed the top spot on a very lengthy fourth day of the Dakar Rally. Joan Barreda clinched yet another stage victory and now lies in second overall.
After heading out from the Wadi Ad-Dawasir bivouac, riders embarked on a 266-kilometre road link to the start of the 337-kilometre special, heading north towards the newly situated bivouac in Riyadh, before another 253-kilometre liaison took the days total to 856 kilometres. The special was, for the most part, over sandy track and hard terrain, while the few dunes on the route did not present any significant dangers. Navigation, once again, played a key role in the stage.
Barreda took advantage of his 30th-position start to attempt to close the gap as much as possible on his rivals. The Spanish rider from Monster Energy Honda Team set a scorching pace to claim a second triumph in this Dakar, with the rider from Castelln taking his stage-winning tally to 26. Overall, Barreda holds second place, a mere 15 seconds behind the new leader De Soultrait.
Today was a very fast stage, just as we were expecting, with less navigation than in previous days," said Barreda. "I went all out and by the time I reached refuelling I saw that I had Ricky close behind and Quintanilla in front, so I kept pressing.
Barreda found himself in two minds but ultimately he pushed on. "I didn't really know what strategy to follow, but seeing as tomorrow will be a very difficult day because of the sand, we kept the pace high."
"The truth is that I am very happy and satisfied with another stage victory."
The fifth stage will take the riders into a new, tough stage tomorrow. Competitors head out from Riyadh bound for the new Al Qaisumah camp. There will be a 205-kilometre timed special, out of a total of 456 kilometres, over varied terrain including sand, dunes, but also over rocky ground that could potentially cause punctures.
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