Stage three of the 2021 Dakar Rally was a challenging loop stage located to the south of the bivouac near Wadi Ad-Dawasir. The 403-kilometre special within the 629 km stage featured a variety of terrain, combining technical canyons with sand dunes, linked together with high-speed sections that required all competitors to draw upon their skills and experience to secure a strong result.
Following a challenging stage two, Franco Caimi bounced back in fine style to secure seventh place on stage three of the 2021 Dakar Rally. Setting a competitive pace from the start of the 403-kilometre special, the Argentine rode superbly, passing each checkpoint comfortably inside the top 10. With yesterday’s frustration now behind him, Caimi is focused on the days ahead and goes into stage four confident in both himself, and his machinery.
Jamie McCanney has quietly put together a strong start to the 2021 Dakar Rally. Putting his full focus on his ever-improving navigational skills, the Manxman came away with a solid 14th place finish. Now, with his confidence boosted and with a much more positive approach to the coming days, Jamie is confident in delivering further mistake-free rides as the rally continues.
Adrien Van Beveren was incredibly consistent on stage three as he posted sector times just outside the top 10 throughout the special, despite not enjoying the higher overall speeds found on the third day of racing. Placing 16th and with the provisional classification now tightening up at the head of the field, Van Beveren remains among the leading riders in ninth overall and will enjoy an advantageous starting position for tomorrow’s stage four.
Setting off as the fourth rider to enter the third stage of the Dakar Rally, Ross Branch quickly caught up to the leading riders where he then faced with the unenviable task of opening the stage. With Ross focused on delivering another solid result to maintain his position as a frontrunner, he settled into a comfortable rhythm to ensure a strong finish. In claiming 17th after almost four hours of racing, Ross now holds sixth in the provisional classification.
Stage four of the 2021 Dakar Rally will be the longest of the event at 813 kilometres, ensuring plenty of time in the saddle for all competitors. After completing one of the shortest specials of the rally with a timed section of 337 kilometres, riders will arrive in the Saudi Arabian capital city of Riyadh.
