The weather conditions remained difficult in Argentina and the third stage of the Dakar Rally could not begin until after the first checkpoint at kilometre 112.91. But this year's Dakar is continuing to smile on the teams enjoying Motul's technical support. This is particularly the case in Bike category. The Hondas ridden by Joan Barreda, Kevin Benavides and Paulo Gonçalves indeed clinched the first three places between Termas de Rio Hondo and San Salvador de Jujuy, the trio being separated by a mere 52 seconds in the standings of the special.
Respectively 1st, 3rd and 4th in the general standings, the three CRF450s are clearly battling for the win with the best KTM... just ahead of the best placed of the Sherco TVS. The riders of the Franco-Indian team Sherco TVS Rally Factory once again showed their mettle. Alain Duclos is a mere 2 seconds from Gonçalves in 5th position in the overall and Joan Pedrero is still in the Top 10. Hats off to Olivier Pain who is keeping his 30th position with the KTM of Team Nomade Racing.
The battle was fierce among the Quads and the day's win was finally secured by Brian Baragwanath and team Rhide South Africa by 4 tiny seconds. The South African thus bags his first stage win of the Dakar. The rider of the Yamaha Raptor 700 #274 is 2nd, 3’56 behind the leader before climbing on Wednesday 6 January to 3500 metres altitude, still in the region of San Salvador de Jujuy.
Bikes – general classification after Leg 3
1/ Joan Barreda (Honda Team HRC) - MOTUL
2/ Stefan Svitko (KTM) à 14''
3/ Kevin Benavides (Honda South America) à 48'' - MOTUL
4/ Paulo Gonçalves (Honda Team HRC) à 1'08 - MOTUL
5/ Alain Duclos (Sherco TVS) à 1'10 - MOTUL
9/ Joan Pedrero (Sherco TVS) à 4'33 - MOTUL
