Australian world champion Daniel Sanders has delivered a stunning display of grit and determination at the Dakar Rally, vowing to continue racing despite suffering multiple broken bones in a high-speed crash.
'No Quitter': Sanders' Defiant Vow
The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider, who was leading the gruelling motorbike category, saw his hopes of consecutive victories dashed on the marathon stage from Wadi ad Dawasir to Bisha. 138 kilometres into the second half of the stage, Sanders careered over a huge dune, resulting in a heavy fall from his factory KTM.
The crash left the 31-year-old from Three Bridges with significant injuries. He has broken his left collarbone and his sternum, an agonising combination that severely limits his power and movement on the bike.
Despite the immense pain and the end of his title defence, Sanders remains resolute. "We don't quit," he declared. "Mum and dad didn't raise no quitter, so I'm not pulling out now until someone else tells me to pull out, or they drag me out of the race. I'm not stopping."
The Crash and Its Immediate Aftermath
At the time of the incident, Sanders was in control of the rally, holding an overall lead of more than six minutes. His dramatic crash saw him lose a substantial amount of time as he gingerly remounted his bike to complete the stage.
He eventually finished the tenth stage a staggering 28 minutes behind the day's winner, Adrien van Beveren on a Honda. This time loss caused a dramatic shift in the overall standings, with Sanders plummeting from first place down to fourth.
The sport's famous camaraderie was on display when American rider Ricky Brabec of Monster Energy Honda, a two-time Dakar winner, stopped to assist Sanders immediately after the crash. Brabec now leads the rally overall.
Looking Ahead: A Fight to the Finish
With just three days remaining in the Saudi Arabian desert, Sanders faces an immense physical challenge. He now sits 17 minutes and 37 seconds behind new leader Ricky Brabec and 16 minutes 41 seconds behind his own KTM teammate, Luciano Benavides.
This setback adds to a history of Dakar adversity for the reigning world rally-raid champion:
- In 2022, he finished third overall despite fracturing his elbow and wrist.
- His 2023 campaign was hampered by severe food poisoning and a thorn lodged in his arm muscle.
- Last year, he broke his leg in pre-race training but still battled to an eighth-place finish.
While his dream of back-to-back Dakar motorbike titles is over, Sanders' commitment to reach the finish line in Riyadh on Saturday exemplifies the relentless spirit of the world's toughest rally.
In the car category, Qatari legend Nasser Al-Attiyah reclaimed the overall lead, positioning himself for a potential sixth Dakar triumph after finishing second on the stage to Mathieu Serradori.
