The 43rd edition of the Dakar Rally is underway in Saudi Arabia. We’ll be sharing daily updates from our friends at WESTx1000. Stay tuned. 
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SS1: That First Step?s a Doozy!
In Classic Dakar Style, Special Stage One Showed Absolutely No Mercy

Dakar is not meant to be predictable. It?s meant to put you through the wringer and catch you off-guard. Even when the most promising performers, like 2020 Dakar Winner Ricky Brabec (#1, Monster Energy Honda 2021), take the stage or pole position in Brabec?s case, it only takes one new day for the favorites to switch places. And that?s par for the course. Yes, the wind was taken from his sails today when starting at first and ending at 24th, but Ricky has more than enough time to climb back up the motorbike pyramid with Toby Price (#3 Red Bull KTM Factory) atop the pinnacle as his target. On either side of Price?s makeshift throne is standing Brabec?s teammate, Kevin Benavides (#47, Monster Energy Honda 2021) on the second step and Matthias Walkner (#52, Red Bull KTM Factory) holding down the third. This outcome seemed less a battle among men, and more a contest of wit, patience and literacy ? especially when the text you?re forced to read is akin to hieroglyphics. And with landscape as confidence inspiring, and speed-inducing, as this barren stretch between Jeddah and Bisha, it?s all too easy to grow complacent and forget the risks. Or dwell a little too long on the roadbook and blow past the next direct...