Dakar 2020
Stage Two

Toby Price may have won Stage 1 even after a two-minute penalty, but it was Ross Branch who put in the fastest time on Stage 2, becoming the first rider from Botswana to take top honours with a Dakar stage win.

Stage two at the 2020 Dakar Rally also presented riders with several new challenges. The pre-coloured road books used for the first time this year were only given to competitors 25 minutes before the start of the 367-kilometre timed special. Also, with the day marking the first half of the event’s Super Marathon stage, riders were only allowed 10 minutes to work on their bikes at the end of the day, with no outside assistance permitted.

Starting the day from fourteenth, Branch took advantage of the tracks opened by other riders, to ride his own race, with navigation also proving a strong point.

Ross Branch

“Today was really good and I had a lot of fun on the bike. Starting fourteenth this morning helped a lot because there were some tracks that opened the road. I had a lot of fun and tried to ride my own race. I navigated well today which was really good for me and I think it helped a lot. Then I just took it easy…”

Stage 2 runner-up was Sam Sunderland, proving consistency is key and sitting 1min-24s off Branch’s winning time of 3:39’10”. That was enough to claim the overall lead, by 1min-32s from Pablo Quintanilla.

sam sunderland Dakar stage — Sam Sunderland – Image by Rally Zone

Quintanilla improved on his Stage 1 result of sixth to claim the final place in the top three on day two, which also earnt him runner-up position in the combined standings.

Rounding out the top five for the day were Kevin Benavides and Luciano Benavides, just 3min-40s and 3min-44s off stage-winning pace respectively.

luciano benavides Dakar stage — Luciano Benavides – Image by Rally Zone

Toby Price had to settle for 17th for the day on board his Red Bull KTM Factory Team machine after tackling the challenge of starting first, but held onto a top-ten position in the overall standings in ninth – 7min-34s off Sunderland’s leading pace.

Toby Price

“A very challenging day with our first Super Marathon stage complete, it is all new for everyone and doesn’t really allow us much time to work on the bikes which made things interesting. Navigation today was really difficult and the conditions were tricky with so many lines to choose from! With such heavy navigation, it leaves you feeling like you’re gambling with your decisions all day, but it makes it interesting for all competitors. Starting first is always going to be a disadvantage and today was a day I knew the rest of the field would make time on me, I don’t plan on starting first too many more times after my efforts today but I’m feeling good, the bike is in good shape for tomorrow and I’m looking forward to Stage 3!”

Fellow Australian Rodney Faggotter proved consistent, following up his Stage 1 19th placing, with a strong 18th in Stage 2, claiming 17th overall.

Rodney Faggotter

“17th quickest today. Saw a couple crashed riders today and some other riders that had started in front of me were with them – so I will possibly slip down from 17th position depending on what time they are given nack for stopping – but all good! Solid day. Had dust for about 200klms then led out in front of my group which means a lot of navigation but no dust! The riding here is so diverse and so far.. fun!”

Dakar 2020 Results

Stage 2

Pos.	Rider	Team	Time/Gap
1	Ross Branch	Bas Dakar KTM Racing Team	03h 39′ 10”
2	Sam Sunderland	Red Bull KTM Factory Team	+ 00h 01′ 24”
3	Pablo Quintanilla	Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing	+ 00h 02′ 21”
4	Kevin Benavides	Monster Energy Honda Team 2020	+ 00h 03′ 40”
5	Luciano Benavides	Red Bull KTM Factory Team	+ 00h 03′ 44”
6	Joan Barreda Bort	Monster Energy Honda Team 2020	+ 00h 04′ 57”
7	Jose Ignacio Florimo	Monster Energy Honda Team 2020	+ 00h 05′ 58”
8	Matthias Walkner	Red Bull KTM Factory Team	+ 00h 05′ 59”
9	Xavier De Soultrait	Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Team	+ 00h 06′ 08”
10	Andrew Short	Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing	+ 00h 07′ 00”
11	Skyler Howes	Klymciw Racing	+ 00h 07′ 42”
12	Ricky Brabec	Monster Energy Honda Team 2020	+ 00h 08′ 45”
13	Paulo Gonçalves	Hero Motosports Team Rally	+ 00h 09′ 32”
14	Adrien Van Beveren	Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Team	+ 00h 09′ 48”
15	Franco Caimi	Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Team	+ 00h 09′ 50”
16	Stefan Svitko	Slovnaft Rally Team	+ 00h 11′ 15”
17	Toby Price	Red Bull KTM Factory Team	+ 00h 12′ 13”
18	Rodney Faggotter	Yamaha Motor Australia	+ 00h 17′ 17”
19	Lorenzo Santolino	Sherco TVS Rally Factory	+ 00h 18′ 25”
20	Adrien Metge	Sherco TVS Rally Factory	+ 00h 18′ 32”
21	Antonio Maio	Yamaha Fino Motor Racing	+ 00h 19′ 30”
22	Juan Pedrero Garcia	LS2 Aventura Touareg	+ 00h 19′ 49”
23	Sebastian Bühler	Hero Motosports Team Rally	+ 00h 20′ 03”
24	Johnny Aubert	Sherco TVS Rally Factory	+ 00h 20′ 04”
25	Milan Engel	Moto Racing Group (MRG)	+ 00h 22′ 28”
26	Adam Tomiczek	Orlen Team	+ 00h 27′ 21”
27	Maurizio Gerini	Solarys Racing	+ 00h 29′ 33”
28	Maciej Giemza	Orlen Team	+ 00h 31′ 12”
29	Ivan Jakes	Jakes Dakar Team	+ 00h 32′ 18”
30	Paul Spierings	HT Rally Raid Husqvarna Racing	+ 00h 34′ 21”
31	Jaume Betriu	FN Speed Team	+ 00h 37′ 44”
32	Jan Brabec	Big Shock Racing	+ 00h 38′ 18”
33	Martin Michek	Moto Racing Group (MRG)	+ 00h 39′ 00”
34	Jamie Mccanney	Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Team	+ 00h 39′ 37”
35	Sebastien Lagut	Nomade Racing	+ 00h 42′ 38”
36	Garrett Poucher	Klymciw Racing	+ 00h 42′ 58”
37	Laia Sanz	Gas Gas Factory Team	+ 00h 43′ 52”
38	Loic Minaudier	Team All Tracks	+ 00h 46′ 02”
39	Mohammed Balooshi	Duust Rally Team	+ 00h 47′ 45”
40	Mario Patrao	Ktm Factory Team	+ 00h 47′ 52”
41	Arunas Gelazninkas	Arunas Gelazninkas	+ 00h 48′ 35”
42	Cesar Pardo	Ktm Peru Rally Team	+ 00h 48′ 53”
43	Olivier Pain	Team Jog – Nomade Racing	+ 00h 49′ 17”
44	Carl Johan Bjerkert	Ht Rally Raid Husqvarna Racing	+ 00h 49′ 36”
45	Abdullah Al Shatti	Duust Rally Team	+ 00h 51′ 41”
46	Patricio Cabrera	Kawasaki Chile Cidef	+ 00h 53′ 22”
47	Fausto Mota	Xraids Team	+ 01h 07′ 33”
48	Jacopo Cerutti	Solarys Racing	+ 01h 08′ 41”
49	Emanuel Gyenes	Autonet Motorcycle Team	+ 01h 09′ 15”
50	Myunggul Ryu	Klymciw Racing	+ 01h 14′ 41”
51	Harith Noah Koitha Veettil	Sherco Tvs Rally Factory	+ 01h 15′ 36”
52	Florent Vayssade	Team Vayssade Florent	+ 01h 19′ 40”
53	Santosh Shivashankar	Hero Motosports Team Rally	+ 01h 20′ 34”
54	Arnold Brucy	Brucy Racing Team	+ 01h 21′ 06”

Combined Standings

Pos.	Rider	Time/Gap
1	Sam Sunderland	07h 05′ 22”
2	Pablo Quintanilla	+ 00h 01′ 18”
3	Kevin Benavides	+ 00h 01′ 32”
4	Matthias Walkner	+ 00h 02′ 00”
5	Ricky Brabec	+ 00h 04′ 11”
6	Ross Branch	+ 00h 04′ 19”
7	Luciano Benavides	+ 00h 06′ 01”
8	Joan Barreda Bort	+ 00h 06′ 09”
9	Toby Price	+ 00h 07′ 34”
10	Andrew Short	+ 00h 09′ 24”
11	Jose Ignacio Cornejo Florimo	+ 00h 09′ 34”
12	Xavier De Soultrait	+ 00h 10′ 11”
13	Adrien Van Beveren	+ 00h 13′ 01”
14	Paulo Gonçalves	+ 00h 13′ 10”
15	Franco Caimi	+ 00h 19′ 14”
16	Skyler Howes	+ 00h 20′ 52”
17	Adrien Metge	+ 00h 24′ 55”
18	Stefan Svitko	+ 00h 26′ 43”
19	Rodney Faggotter	+ 00h 36′ 32”
20	Johnny Aubert	+ 00h 37′ 17”
21	Antonio Maio	+ 00h 37′ 39”
22	Juan Pedrero Garcia	+ 00h 38′ 52”
23	Lorenzo Santolino	+ 00h 41′ 38”
24	Milan Engel	+ 00h 47′ 44”
25	Sebastian Bühler	+ 00h 48′ 37”
26	Maurizio Gerini	+ 00h 56′ 35”
27	Adam Tomiczek	+ 00h 57′ 16”
28	Maciej Giemza	+ 00h 57′ 59”
29	Laia Sanz	+ 01h 00′ 58”
30	Martin Michek	+ 01h 06′ 08”
31	Jan Brabec	+ 01h 09′ 01”
32	Jamie Mccanney	+ 01h 11′ 38”
33	Sebastien Lagut	+ 01h 11′ 45”
34	Jaume Betriu	+ 01h 13′ 44”
35	Carl Johan Bjerkert	+ 01h 23′ 42”
36	Paul Spierings	+ 01h 26′ 26”
37	Garrett Poucher	+ 01h 27′ 29”
38	Jacopo Cerutti	+ 01h 27′ 42”
39	Arunas Gelazninkas	+ 01h 28′ 42”
40	Mario Patrao	+ 01h 29′ 00”
41	Loic Minaudier	+ 01h 29′ 05”
42	Mohammed Balooshi	+ 01h 29′ 52”
43	Olivier Pain	+ 01h 35′ 31”
44	Cesar Pardo	+ 01h 38′ 01”
45	Patricio Cabrera	+ 01h 42′ 25”
46	Abdullah Al Shatti	+ 01h 42′ 56”
47	Santosh Chunchunguppe Shivashankar	+ 01h 57′ 52”
48	Ivan Jakes	+ 01h 58′ 43”
49	Emanuel Gyenes	+ 01h 59′ 45”
50	Fausto Mota	+ 02h 09′ 22”
51	Guillaume Chollet	+ 02h 37′ 43”
52	Giordano Pacheco	+ 02h 39′ 03”
53	Arnold Brucy	+ 02h 40′ 35”
54	Roman Krejci	+ 02h 41′ 34”

Stage 1

Pos	Rider	Team	Time/Gap
1	TOBY PRICE	RED BULL KTM FACTORY TEAM	03H 21′ 33
2	RICKY BRABEC	MONSTER ENERGY HONDA TEAM 2020	+ 00H 00′ 05
3	MATTHIAS WALKNER	RED BULL KTM FACTORY TEAM	+ 00H 00′ 40
4	KEVIN BENAVIDES	MONSTER ENERGY HONDA TEAM 2020	+ 00H 02′ 31
5	SAM SUNDERLAND	RED BULL KTM FACTORY TEAM	+ 00H 03′ 15
6	PABLO QUINTANILLA	ROCKSTAR ENERGY HUSQVARNA FACTORY RACING	+ 00H 03′ 36
7	JOAN BARREDA BORT	MONSTER ENERGY HONDA TEAM 2020	+ 00H 05′ 51
8	LUCIANO BENAVIDES	RED BULL KTM FACTORY TEAM	+ 00H 06′ 56
9	ANDREW SHORT	ROCKSTAR ENERGY HUSQVARNA FACTORY RACING	+ 00H 07′ 03
10	ADRIEN VAN BEVEREN	MONSTER ENERGY YAMAHA RALLY TEAM	+ 00H 07′ 52
11	JOSE IGNACIO CORNEJO FLORIMO	MONSTER ENERGY HONDA TEAM 2020	+ 00H 08′ 15
12	PAULO GONÇALVES	HERO MOTOSPORTS TEAM RALLY	+ 00H 08′ 17
13	Xavier De Soultrait	MONSTER ENERGY YAMAHA RALLY TEAM	+ 00H 08′ 42
14	Ross Branch	BAS DAKAR KTM RACING TEAM	+ 00H 08′ 58
15	Adrien Metge	SHERCO TVS RALLY FACTORY	+ 00H 11′ 02
16	Daniel Nosiglia Jager	TEAM HONDA NOSIGLIA	+ 00H 12′ 12
17	Franco Caimi	MONSTER ENERGY YAMAHA RALLY TEAM	+ 00H 14′ 03
18	Skyler Howes	KLYMCIW RACING	+ 00H 17′ 49
19	Rodney Faggotter	YAMAHA MOTOR AUSTRALIA	+ 00H 18′ 54
20	Stefan Svitko	SLOVNAFT RALLY TEAM	+ 00H 20′ 07
21	Laia Sanz	GAS GAS FACTORY TEAM	+ 00H 21′ 45
22	Johnny Aubert	SHERCO TVS RALLY FACTORY	+ 00H 21′ 52
23	Antonio Maio	YAMAHA FINO MOTOR RACING	+ 00H 22′ 48
24	Jacopo Cerutti	SOLARYS RACING	+ 00H 23′ 40
25	Juan Pedrero Garcia	LS2 AVENTURA TOUAREG	+ 00H 23′ 42
26	Lorenzo Santolino	SHERCO TVS RALLY FACTORY	+ 00H 27′ 52
27	Sebastien Lagut	NOMADE RACING	+ 00H 31′ 46
28	Milan Engel	MOTO RACING GROUP (MRG)	+ 00H 31′ 55
29	Maciej Giemza	ORLEN TEAM	+ 00H 33′ 26
30	Maurizio Gerini	SOLARYS RACING	+ 00H 33′ 41
31	Martin Michek	MOTO RACING GROUP (MRG)	+ 00H 33′ 47
32	Sebastian Bühler	HERO MOTOSPORTS TEAM RALLY	+ 00H 35′ 13
33	Adam Tomiczek	ORLEN TEAM	+ 00H 36′ 34
34	Jamie Mccanney	MONSTER ENERGY YAMAHA RALLY TEAM	+ 00H 36′ 40
35	Aaron Mare	MONSTER ENERGY HONDA TEAM 2020	+ 00H 36′ 45
36	Jan Brabec	BIG SHOCK RACING	+ 00H 37′ 22
37	Carl Johan Bjerkert	HT RALLY RAID HUSQVARNA RACING	+ 00H 40′ 45
38	Jaume Betriu	FN SPEED TEAM	+ 00H 42′ 39
39	Santosh Chunchunguppe	HERO MOTOSPORTS TEAM RALLY	+ 00H 43′ 57
40	Arunas Gelazninkas	ARUNAS GELAZNINKAS	+ 00H 46′ 46
41	Mario Patrao	KTM FACTORY TEAM	+ 00H 47′ 47
42	Garrett Poucher	KLYMCIW RACING	+ 00H 48′ 40
43	Mohammed Balooshi	DUUST RALLY TEAM	+ 00H 48′ 46
44	Loic Minaudier	TEAM ALL TRACKS	+ 00H 49′ 42
45	Cesar Pardo	KTM PERU RALLY TEAM	+ 00H 50′ 47
46	Olivier Pain	TEAM JOG – NOMADE RACING	+ 00H 52′ 53
47	Ivan Jakes	JAKES DAKAR TEAM	+ 00H 53′ 04
48	Patricio Cabrera	KAWASAKI CHILE CIDEF	+ 00H 55′ 42
49	Emanuel Gyenes	AUTONET MOTORCYCLE TEAM	+ 00H 57′ 09
50	Abdullah Al Shatti	DUUST RALLY TEAM	+ 00H 57′ 54
51	Paul Spierings	HT RALLY RAID HUSQVARNA RACING	+ 00H 58′ 44
52	Anthony Boursaud	ANTHO MOTO SPORT – DRAG’ON RALLY TEAM	+ 00H 59′ 45
53	Fausto Mota	XRAIDS TEAM	+ 01H 03′ 28
54	Benjamin Melot	BENJAMIN MELOT	+ 01H 07′ 34