The Italian former MotoGP race winner continues to impress on his rally debut, as Danilo Petrucci wins Stage Five of the 2022 Dakar Rally. Despite injuring himself before the event started, and then retiring due to mechanical problems on his KTM, Petrucci was able to win by just two seconds from Botswana’s Ross Branch.
Danilo Petrucci: “When I started today, speed was not my focus. I was working on my navigation. Then after a while I started to throw down. I eased off again in the dunes because I’m still worried about my ankle.”
Despite the fact he’s ruled out of the overall results, Petrucci almost claimed his first podium on Stage Four, before being demoted by a penalty. But this time the decisions went in his favour as Toby Price was penalised for a speed limit offence on the stage, which was shortened due to the need for medical air support to be mobilised.
The overall rankings are still topped by British rider and 2017 winner Sam Sunderland. Despite neck and shoulder pain from a crash on stage 5, he was able to end the day in 12th, and still has a small lead in the total time over Matthias Walkner, Adrien Van Beveren, and GasGas Factory team-mate Daniel Sanders, who himself had to deal with a crash causing his shoulder to pop out. Sanders still managed to claim 13th after his should went back in my itself and he was able to continue riding.
Sam Sunderland: “I knew I was in for a tough day after my crash yesterday, so it was a case of survival mode for me today. It was difficult for sure but as the stage went on I felt better and better and had a nice, strong pace through the sand near the end. Besides my crash the race is going well so far. I’m still leading, which is great, but as we’ve seen there is some tricky navigation at times so it’s important to really focus on the roadbook and keep mistakes to a minimum.”
David McBride finished the stage in 60th place, Vendetta racing team-mate David Mabbs was 96th, and fellow Brit Simon Hewitt was 127th from the field of 140.
2022 Dakar Stage Five Results:
- Danilo Petrucci 3:23.46
- Ross Branch 3:23.48
- Jose Ignacio Cornejo Florimo 3:23.51
- Ricky Brabec 3:25.18
- Toby Price 3:25.32
2022 Dakar Rankings After Stage Five:
- Sam Sunderland 19:01.50
- Matthias Walkner 19:04.19
- Adrien Van Beveren 19:07.49
- Daniel Sanders 19:09.51
- Lorenzo Santolino 19:17.17
David McBridge is now 51st overall, with David Mabbs 97th, and Simon Hewitt 126th. Mirjam Pol has extended her lead in the Women’s Trophy to just over two-and-a-half hours. Mason Klein continues to lead the Junior Trophy, with David McBride now retaking the lead in the Veterans Trophy just 2 minutes and 46 seconds ahead of Phillip Gendron.
Friday will see the riders once again tackle a special stage created around Riyadh before the welcome rest day on Saturday January 8th.
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