Dakar 2024: Briton Sam Sunderland, former double winner, forced to abandon

Winner in 2017 and 2022, the British driver had to stop in this edition. DAKAR PRESS TEAM – ANDREW EATON

The British Sam Sunderland, double winner of the Dakar on a motorcycle, retired on Monday during the 3rd stage of the 2024 edition, following a mechanical problem, the organizers announced.

He waited more than three hours in the hope that a vehicle could bring him oil, before deciding to give up, around 8 a.m., according to the organizers. Sunderland (GasGas), sixth at the end of the 2nd stage, had to stop at km 11 of the day's special, 400 km long , between Al-Duwadimi and Al-Salamiya (center).

First Briton to win a Dakar in 2017, then riding a KTM, the 34-year-old rider also won the famous rally-raid in 2022, with the ;#39;Spanish team GasGas, and was still one of the favorites.

But Sam Sunderland alternates joy and misfortune in the event since he has already had to abandon several times since his first participation in 2012, notably after each victorious edition, in 2018 as well than last year, from the 1st stage, due to a fall. He then suffered a broken shoulder and a concussion.

After two stages, it is the Botswanan Ross Branch (Hero) who leads the general classification in the motorcycle category ahead of the Chilean Ignacio Cornejo (Honda).