Young Brit Sam Sunderland didn’t hang around at the start of the opening stage in the motorcycle category, placing himself at the head of the provisional classification with a superb first stage win.
Sunderland, on board his Red Bull KTM, came in just in front of Honda’s Paulo Gonçalves, and took the fight to reigning Dakar champion Marc Coma in the 175km first stage as the battle lines were drawn in Argentina.
Coma, four-time winner of the Dakar, came across the line just over a minute behind Sunderland as he set about the defence of his title.
Stage One Classification: 1. Sam Sunderland (KTM), 1h18’57”, 2. Paulo Gonçalves (Honda) +00’05”, 3. Marc Coma (KTM), +01’12”, 4. Joan Barreda (Honda), +01’41”, 5. Alain Duclos (Sherco), +02’08”.
Provisional Standings: 1. Sam Sunderland (KTM), 1h18’57”. 2. Paulo Gonçalves (Honda), +00’05”. 3. Marc Coma (KTM), +01’12”. 4. Joan Barreda (Honda), +01’41”. 5. Alain Duclos (Sherco), +02’08”.
