Portugal Colonial - Schareina wins penultimate bike stage but Sanders on course for Dakar victory

Schareina's victory in 2hr 12min 4sec on the 112km 11th stage special through the dunes of the Empty Quarter desert did not, however, allow the Honda rider, who is second overall, to threaten Saunders' grip on the race.

The Spaniard clawed back 7min 31sec but Sanders still has a 9min lead going into Friday's final stage so if he safely negotiates the 61km special he will emulate the achievement of fellow-Aussie Toby Price who won the bikes in 2016 and 2018.

Due to an early morning fog that prevented the organisation's helicopters from taking off, the race was launched three hours late.

The weather conditions forced the organisers to stop the motorbike special stage after 152km, out of the 308km initially planned, to avoid the riders having to ride in the dark.

Argentinian Luciano Benavides (KTM) finished second in the stage at 33sec with Adrien Van Beveren (Honda) a further 24sec behind.

The Frenchman is also third in the provisional overall standings, 15min 50sec behind Sanders.

M.A.Vaz--PC