Dakar Rally 2021 Stage 11 Results & Highlights: Harith Noah Inches Close To Top 20 Finish In General

The penultimate stage of the 2021 Dakar Rally has come to an end. With only one more stage to go for the race, all participants are bringing their A-game to the table. Harith Noah, who is the only Indian rider left in contention for the rally race is on a roll after three consecutive top 20 finishes.

The 11th stage was shortened by 50 kilometres owing to the bad weather conditions. Today's stage was held between AlUla and Yanbu. At 511 kilometres, Stage 11 is also the longest special in the 43rd Dakar, featuring almost 100 kilometres of dunes. The total race distance including the Liaison was measured at 557 kilometres.

The Honda riders who opened today's stage were the first to reach the finish line except for Joan Barreda Bort. While Ricky Brabec and Kevin Benavides completed the penultimate stage of the rally race.

However, Sam Sunderland riding for Red Bull KTM Factory Team took the stage win. Following him in a close second place is the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider Pablo Quintanilla. The final podium place was won by Kevin Benavides.

Joan Barreda Bort who started well with his teammates did not stop at a refuelling station in the special stage. As a result, he ran out of gas with 247 kilometres into the special stage. With no way to go, the Honda rider had to call for help and throw in the towel for the rally race.

Moving to the Indian team and riders, Harith Noah (Sherco Factory Rally Team) continues his stellar performance to bag another top 20 finish in the race for the third time in a row. The India rider has completed the Stage 11 in 18th position overall. However, he improves his General Standings by two places to rank in 22nd position.

Sherco Factory Rally Team's top man Lorenzo Santolino finishes well in 7th position overall in the penultimate stage of the rally race. While Rui Goncalves improves massively after a tough Stage 10 and finishes in 14th position, overall. Lorenzo Santolino & Rui Goncalves are placed 6th and 20th positions, respectively in the General Standings of the race.

Sebastian Buhler riding for the Hero MotoSports Rally Team scores well for the team. He finishes in 12th position overall. While his teammate Joaquim Rodrigues had a tough afternoon with 24th place finish overall. Despite his relatively off-day Joaquim holds 12th place in the General Standings. However, Buhler improves massively because of his perfromance in today's stage and is now placed 15th in General.

Ashish Raorane currently competing in the Dakar Rally Experience programme has crossed the finish line with another 56th place finish. He continues to forge forward despite the massive fall and injuries to gain experience in the Dakar Rally.

Laia Sanz is currently leading the women's category at the 2021 Dakar Rally. The Gas Gas Factory Team rider completes the eleventh stage of the rally in 19th position overall. She has moved up a place to 18th spot in General Standings.

Sam Sunderland, the winner of Stage 10 of 2021 Dakar Rally, said, "I knew that today was one of my last chances to try to win and I gave my all, all day. The boys up front did a great job and, you know, I cannot be sad, because I give everything I have and try my best. I didn't quite manage to take enough time, but I'm happy with my effort.

We still have one day to go and many things can happen on one stage. What a tough day and a really difficult Dakar, but I'm super grateful for the team and everybody that put all the work in. Even to be able to be racing our bikes in the desert with the situation as it is in the world everywhere else, I can't complain and I'm going to be happy to go and get some rest now."

After the penultimate stage of the 2021 Dakar Rally, the General Standings has once again changed with one Stage for the finish. Kevin Benavides maintains his lead position in the standings. However, Stage 11 winner Sam Sunderland has moved up a spot trailing by just over 2 minutes from the leader. The 2020 Dakar Rally winner, Ricky Brabec has now moved to third place with over 7 minutes behind the race leader.

Stage 11 Provisional Results:
Hero MotoSport Rally Team Standings
12th Position - Sebastian Buhler [04:59:01]
24th Position - Joaquim Rodrigues [05:32:42]

Sherco Rally Team Standings
7th Position - Lorenzo Santolino [04:50:21]
14th Position - Rui Goncalves [05:02:18]
18th Position - Harith Noah [05:16:28]

Privateer (Dakar Experience)
56th Position - Ashish Raorane [07:35:45]

Stage 11 Standings (Bike)
1st Position - Sam Sunderland [04:35:12] (Red Bull KTM Factory Team)
2nd Position - Pablo Quintanilla [04:37:52] (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing)
3rd Position - Kevin Benavides [04:41:36] (Monster Energy Honda Team 2021)

Stage 11 Winners In Other Categories (Provisional)
Quad:
Giovanni Enrico (Enrico Racing Team)

Car:
Nasser Al-Attiyah & Matthieu Baumel (Toyota Gazoo Racing)

Lightweight Vehicle:
Seth Quintero & Dennis Zenz (Red Bull Off-Road Team USA)

SSV:
Francisco Lopez Contardo & Juan Pablo Latrach Vinagre (South Racing CAN-AM)

Truck:
Anton Shibalov, Dmitrii Niktin & Ivan Tatarinov (Kamaz - Master)

Classic:
Stephan Lamarre & Benjamin Laroche (Racing Wings)

General Standings After Stage 11 (Provisional)
Hero MotoSport Rally Team Standings
12th Position - Joaquim Rodrigues
16th Position - Sebastian Buhler

Sherco Rally Team Standings
6th Position - Lorenzo Santolino
20th Position - Rui Goncalves
22nd Position - Harith Noah

Overall Standings (Bike)
1st Position - Kevin Benavides (Monster Energy Honda Team 2021)
2nd Position - Sam Sunderland (Red Bull KTM Factory Team)
3rd Position - Ricky Brabec (Monster Energy Honda Team 2021)

General Standings Leaders In Other Categories (Provisional)
Quad:
Manuel Andujar (7240 Team)

Car:
Stephane Peterhansel & Edouard Boulanger (X-RAID MINI JCW TEAM)

Lightweight Vehicle/SSV:
Francisco Lopez Contardo & Juan Pablo Latrach Vinagre (South Racing CAN-AM)

Truck:
Dmitry Sotnikov, Ruslan Akhmadeev & Ilgiz Akhmetzianov (Kamaz - Master)

Classic:
Marc Douton & Emilien Etienne (Team Sunhill)

Thoughts About The 2021 Dakar Rally Stage 11 Result & Highlights

The Shero Factory Rally Team rider, Harith Noah continues his scintillating perfromance. He inches closer to towards taking the top 20 finish in the General Standings. Hero MotoSports Rally Team riders are placed within the top 15 places n the General Standings. Who will take the top-step among the top three riders split by over 7 minutes? We will have to wait for the last stage of the day tomorrow.

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Read more on: #dakar rally #motorsport
Article Published On: Thursday, January 14, 2021, 23:28 [IST]
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