Daniel Sanders Claims Third Place on Stage Two of the 2024 Rallye du Maroc

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Daniel Sanders secured a strong third-place finish on the long and challenging second stage of the 2024 Rallye du Maroc. Covering a total of 499 kilometers, including a 272-kilometer timed special, Sanders’ performance keeps him firmly in the race for the overall lead. With two complete stages, Sanders sits second in the provisional overall standings, trailing the leader by 42 seconds. Fellow KTM rider Luciano Benavides also delivered a solid performance, finishing fifth on the stage and moving up to third overall with three days of racing.

Riding his KTM 450 RALLY, Sanders carried his momentum from Monday’s opening stage, starting second on stage two. Despite recent rain forcing alterations to the route, Sanders was undeterred, navigating expertly over various terrain. After overtaking Ross Branch at kilometer 20, Sanders led the race through much of the special, earning a crucial one-minute and 34-second bonus for opening the stage. The Australian rider maintained his consistency and now finds himself in an ideal position heading into stage three, just seconds from the overall lead.

Reflecting on his performance, Sanders said, “Stage two was a very long one – it was originally stage one, but they were reversed due to the rain the other day. I started second and then caught Ross (Branch) about 20 kilometers in. I opened it until refueling at kilometer 210, which meant navigating on my own through the dunes, which went pretty well. After refueling, I eased off a bit to make sure I didn’t have to open tomorrow. Overall, the stage went well, and I’m ready for another long day tomorrow.”

Meanwhile, Luciano Benavides, also aboard a KTM 450 RALLY, demonstrated his steady pace and sharp navigation throughout the problematic stage. Recent weather had damaged much of the route, making the terrain particularly treacherous. Despite these challenges, Benavides avoided mistakes, focusing on the roadbook to secure fifth place on the stage. This effort saw him climb to third in the overall standings, positioning the Argentinian well for the remainder of the rally.

“I’ve had a good day here in Morocco – I finished fifth today on a tough stage,” said Benavides. “The terrain was broken with many hidden dangers, so I just tried to stay safe over the stage and focus on my navigation. My pace is improving each day, and I look forward to improving as the rally goes on.”

Sanders and Benavides are well-placed in the overall standings with two stages down and three to go. The competition remains fierce, with Honda’s Tosha Schareina holding a narrow lead ahead of Sanders. Wednesday’s stage three promises more excitement as the riders tackle a 328-kilometer special from Zagora to Mengoub, marking the halfway point of the 2024 Rallye du Maroc.