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Sunderland regains the lead, Barreda's Honda sinks

The British rider wins the third stage, while the Spaniard closes almost half an hour behind, Benavides 2nd, Price 10th, Botturi 21st

Dakar: Sunderland regains the lead, Barreda's Honda sinks

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Nothing is certain at the Dakar and the third stage of the RAID, which saw teams travel from Pisco to San Juan de Marcona, only confirmed this fact. Sam Sunderland was able to fight back after Sunday's problems, winning stage three and moving into the lead in the process. Disappointment for Joan Barreda (+27’49), who lost his way and closes almost half an hour from the front. The Honda rider now lies in fourteenth place, behind Svitko. The same goes for Frenchman Xavier de Soultrait, though he lost only 11’52”.

Barreda aside, Honda's Monday proved positive, in that riders Kevin Benavides (+3’03”) and Ricky Brabec (+3’55) were able to place second and third respectively. In the overall standings, it is the Argentinian who is Sunderland's direct rival, while the American lies fourth behind the Husqvarna of Pablo Quintanilla, fourth today ahead of Farres. The Chilean rider had a chance of winning the stage but just lost out in the end.

As well as Sunderland, KTM can also be pleased with Toby Price, who set the tenth time of the day (despite a five minute penalty), which allows him to move into eighth place overall. A tough day for Matthias Walkner meanwhile, 9’04” off the pace. The Austrian remains fifth overall, followed by the Yamaha of Van Beveren.

As for the Italians, Alessandro Botturi was the quickest today. He currently lies 23rd overall after the first three stages. Jacopo Cerutti lies 36th, Ruoso 43rd, Gerini 46th.

Translated by Heather Watson
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