A bad start had the national pilot Pablo Quintanilla in the first stage of Dakar 2021, which went from Jeddah to Bisha in 277 timed kilometers and where the Australian Toby Price prevailed with solvency.

The rough, rocky segment with a final section on a hard floor completely disarmed the Chilean, who just closed the partial in twentieth place, more than 15 minutes from the ocean and with a slight fall on his back.

“It was a difficult start, I had problems with the direction of the bike from the beginning of the special. I lost a lot of energy and also a lot of time trying to ride the bike, it was very dangerous for me to go through the technical areas, ”said Quintanilla.

“There are good and bad days and today I was one of the first … We are talking with the team to solve the problem with the bike’s direction and planning tomorrow’s stage, because the race has just started and it will be a new day,” he added.

The second stage will have a long 427-kilometer race segment between Bisha and Wadi Ad-Dawasir on Monday, which will mark the first encounter with the Saudi dunes in the emirate of Asir.

RALLY DAKAR SAUDI ARABIA

Stage 1: Jeddah> Bisha / Special: 277 kms / Interchange: 345 kms:

1st Price Toby / AUS / KTM / 3:18:26
2nd Kevin Benavides / ARG / Honda / +31
3rd Matthias Walkner / AUT / KTM / + 32
4th Sam Sunderland / GBR / KTM / + 2: 03
5 ° Lorenzo Santolino / ESP / Sherco / + 4:23
20 ° Pablo Quintanilla / CHI / Husqvarna / + 15: 30

General ranking:

1st Price Toby / AUS / KTM / 3: 43: 58
2nd Kevin Benavides / ARG / Honda / + 23
3rd Matthias Walkner / AUT / KTM / + 1:12
4th Sam Sunderland / GBR / KTM / + 4:11
5th Lorenzo Santolino / ESP / Sherco / + 4:59
21 ° Pablo Quintanilla / CHI / Husqvarna / + 15: 30