Dakar 2018: Meo wins stage six, Benavides takes overall control

Former four time World Enduro champion Antoine Meo became the fourth different rider to win a stage of the fiercely contested 2018 Dakar today. The 33 year old Frenchman, helped by his starting position claimed his third stage win of his Dakar career in what was a shortened stage due to poor weather.

While there was cause for celebration in the Meo/KTM camp, the big winner of the day was Argentinian Kevin Benavides who set the second fastest time onboard his factory Honda and in doing so took the lead in the overall standings. It was a crucial result and means that Benavides heads into Dakar’s rest day in the lead of the rally.

MORE DAKAR NEWS

• Brits push on through longest stage yet
• Tight at the top as stage nine cancelled
• Poskitt and Hunt survive toughest stage
• Injured Barreda wins stage, Van Beveren takes regains overall lead
• Also for more news subscribe to MCN now

2016 Dakar winner Toby Price made a welcome return to the Dakar podium after breaking his leg on stage for of the 2017 race. The Australian KTM rider took third and is expected to up his pace in the second half of the race. 

Former overall leader Adrien Van Beveren lost his lead to Benavides after finishing tenth on the stage, albeit only 3m27s behind after nearly two hours of racing. Matthias Walkner continued his consistent approach to Dakar despite suffering a crash and injuring his wrist and ankle on stage 5.

Results Stage 6

1. Antoine Meo                FRA                  KTM                 1h54m03s
2. Kevin Benavides           ARG                 Honda              +30s
3. Toby Price                    AUS                  KTM                 +30s
4. Diego Duplessis            ARG                 Honda              +1m 13s
5. Daniel Carreras                        ESP                  KTM                 +1.55s

Overall results at the end of stage 6 

1. Kevin Benavides          ARG                 Honda              +16h33m20s
2. Adrien Van Beveren    FRA                  Yamaha           +1m57s
3. Matthias Walkner       AUT                 KTM                 +2m50s
4. Xavier De Soultrait      FRA                  Yamaha           +9m24s
5. Joan Barreda               ESP                  Honda              +9m33s

Photo: PhotosDakar.com

Have a browse for your next bike on MCN Bikes For Sale website or use the MCN’s Bikes For Sale App.