The Tyrolean started for the first time Tobias Ebster as a works driver in the Dakar Rally. After the second stage Saudi Arabia he was 14 minutes behind the leader in the Rally2 classification. But the bitter end came on the third stage. The 28-year-old crashed his Hero machine at very low speed in a left-hand bend after just 14 kilometers and was unable to continue the journey with a hand injury. He was taken back to the bivouac by helicopter.
After x-ray and CT scan a Scaphoid fracture diagnosed. In conversation with motorsport-total he said: “Unfortunately, two years ago, shortly before my first Dakar Rally, I broke this scaphoid bone. I then had an operation and unfortunately broke it again. The screw is inside, but it still broke.”
KTM-Pilot Daniel Sanders successfully defended his overall lead over the 421 kilometers. Sanders crossed the finish line in third place on Tuesday behind the two Honda drivers Tosha Schareina (ESP) and Ricky Brabec (USA). The Australian lost 3:28 minutes, but leads overall by 1:07 minutes over Brabec and 1:13 over Schareina.
Ford dominates when it comes to cars
There was an upheaval in the overall car classification, which is now led by five Ford drivers. He won the stage and took the lead in the overall standings Mitch Guthrie. The American won 2:27 minutes ahead of the Czech Martin Prokop, who is also in second place overall, 26 seconds behind. The Red Bull billionaire who competes under the name Max Mustermann Mark Mateschitz finished the stage 51:33 minutes behind in 60th place and is in 62nd place in the overall ranking (+2:18:33 hours).