PARIS (AFP): American rider Mason Klein took the overall lead in the motorcycling category of the Dakar Rally after winning the 430 kilometres second stage on Monday.
His compatriot Ricky Brabec had led overnight but could post only the 15th fastest time and was eight minutes 19 seconds slower than KTM rider Klein.
Klein timed 1min 9sec faster — despite copping a penalty — than Germany’s Sebastien Buhler on the stage with another American Skyler Howes finishing third 1min 13sec adrift.
Klein, who finished ninth in last year’s edition, leads Toby Price of Australia, also riding a KTM, by 1min 41 sec with Spain’s Honda rider Joan Barreda third 2min 3sec off the pace.
The stage took the competitors along the Red Sea coast and then inland to the outskirts of Al-Ula — Tuesday’s stage will take them towards Ha’il in the north-east.
