Sanders crashes out of Dakar Rally 2022

Daniel Sanders is out of the Dakar Rally following a crash during a transport section. He was sent straight to hospital with fractures to his arm.

The Australian was due to lead competitors into the timed section of Stage 7, but he never showed up at the start line. Reports soon surfaced that the GasGas Factory Team rider has fallen on route to the start line and had suffered an arm injury.

Related Reading:
Daniel Sanders remains in 2022 Dakar Rally hunt
Daniel Sanders signs with GasGas for 2022 Dakar Rally
New route and electric class announced for 2022 Dakar Rally
Nine things you need to know about the 2021 Dakar Rally

Sanders was taken to hospital with an early diagnosis suggesting he had fractured his left elbow and wrist. He was expected to remain in hospital overnight with surgery on his elbow expected today.

It was an unfortunate twist in what was otherwise a brilliant story for Sanders. Racing in just his second Dakar Rally, Sanders has already notched up two stage wins and was sitting third in the overall standings.

The absence of Sanders meant his teammate and Rally leader Sam Sunderland started Stage 7 in first place. However the responsibility of leading the pack proved too much for the Brit; he eventually finished in 28th place and dropped to fourth in the overall standings.

Honda’s Jose Ignacio Cornejo took the stage win, while Yamaha’s Adrien Van Beveren moved into the rally lead, with a 5-minute buffer over Matthias Walkner (KTM), Kevin Benavides (KTM) and Sunderland.

Australia’s other hopeful, Toby Price (KTM), finished ninth in the stage and sits 11th overall. Price has won Dakar twice previously, but he needs to make up 29 minutes for a chance to win his third title.

There are five stages remaining with the finish expected in Jeddah on January 14.