The reigning champion claimed his first stage win of the race, marking his eleventh Dakar stage victory. Starting sixth this morning, over 29 minutes behind, the HRC rider moved up to fourth place in the provisional standings, surpassing his teammate Skyler Howes and closing in on the podium, now just 23’18” behind top man Daniel Sanders.

“Yeah, the first day on the second week is a long day. They like to make you get a little bit of rest and then put you right back into it.

“It’s been a tough day. I saw (Branch) Ross on the ground, pushed the rescue button, saw the helicopter just up ahead landing on the ground. So I figured for me it was quicker just to get out of there and go to the helicopter directly rather than try to phone some rescue. But before I even got to Ross, there was police already with them and he was conscious. So yeah, once I did that, kept going on my way.

“You know, the stage was pretty varied, with multiple conditions of terrain. And yeah, the last little bit in the dunes was tricky because all the local traffic to watch the race was crazy. There’s people going everywhere. But yeah, all is good. Six more days, so we’ll keep fighting.”

Editors Note: Americans Mason Klein, Skyler Howes and Jacob Argubright finished the stage seventh, eighth and 23rd. Daniel Sanders retained the overall lead, with Brabec in fourth.

Top 10 from stage six of the Dakar rally: