Photo: dakar.com
The special section of Stage 10 was also shortened due to the blistering heat in the Fiambala dunes, but this time, the course modification had no serious impact on the ranking. Slovakian KTM rider Stefan Svitko caught up with the front runners and managed to get ahead of both Benavides and Price.
The three rode together for a good part of the special, and stopped for around 15 minutes to get some cold drinks from an assistance truck. Towards the end of the special stage, the three charged forward, but it was Svitko who had the best pace.
Benavides also crashed close to the special stage finish but he took a fall at fairly low speed in soft sand and was unhurt, being able to push forward. At the end of Stage 10, Svitko claimed 5'47" from Price and 2'54" from Benavides.
Australian Toby Price and KTM are leading the general rankings three rounds before the end of the 2016 Dakar Rally. Price has a rather comfortable lead on Svitko, but 23 minutes are nowhere near a certitude for the final podium. The Aussie still has to watch out and push ahead, while making sure he stays out of trouble and doesn't make navigation errors that could nullify his advantage.
Honda's Goncalves could technically lay the hammer down even harder but his main concern is to fend off Pablo Quintanilla. The Chilean Husky rider has shown consistent performance so far and will be a threat for Goncalves until the very end, even though he has to defend his fourth place from Antoine Meo.
The day's route takes the Dakar competitors from La Rioja to San Juan, with the course including almost all the types of sands that can be found at the foot of the Andes. Stage 11 has a 281 km (175-mile) liaison and a 431 km (268-mile) special stage, but we would not be surprised to see it shortened a bit.
Benavides also crashed close to the special stage finish but he took a fall at fairly low speed in soft sand and was unhurt, being able to push forward. At the end of Stage 10, Svitko claimed 5'47" from Price and 2'54" from Benavides.
Goncalves has almost nothing to lose so he charges ahead
Paulo Goncalves solved his engine problems from yesterday and attacked as much as he could, finishing fourth ahead of Meo and Husqvarna's Quintanilla. Yamaha was seventh with Helder Rodrigues, trailed by USA's Brabec, Van Beveren and Farres Guell for the top ten.Australian Toby Price and KTM are leading the general rankings three rounds before the end of the 2016 Dakar Rally. Price has a rather comfortable lead on Svitko, but 23 minutes are nowhere near a certitude for the final podium. The Aussie still has to watch out and push ahead, while making sure he stays out of trouble and doesn't make navigation errors that could nullify his advantage.
Honda's Goncalves could technically lay the hammer down even harder but his main concern is to fend off Pablo Quintanilla. The Chilean Husky rider has shown consistent performance so far and will be a threat for Goncalves until the very end, even though he has to defend his fourth place from Antoine Meo.
The day's route takes the Dakar competitors from La Rioja to San Juan, with the course including almost all the types of sands that can be found at the foot of the Andes. Stage 11 has a 281 km (175-mile) liaison and a 431 km (268-mile) special stage, but we would not be surprised to see it shortened a bit.
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