outcome . “ Yesterday was a very sad day for the whole team with our top Dakar Rally rider having a crash and breaking his femur ”, says Rally Team Manager , Norbert Stadlbauer . “ After winning the Dakar and leading the points standings in the world championship , Kevin was preparing to take on round two of the series and hopefully secure another outstanding result . Thankfully , it looks like the surgery went well and Kevin has already begun his road to recovery . Unfortunately , this accident demonstrates the incredible highs and lows we sometimes see in our sport . But we of course wish him the very best , from myself and the whole team , and hope to see him back aboard his KTM 450 RALLY as soon as possible .” At the time of writing , we have no information regarding the estimated recovery time for Benvides following his injury . Despite working his absolute hardest to return to full fitness following his humiliating withdrawal from the Dakar Rally during the first stage , in a cruel twist of fate , a hard impact while testing for the ADDC has put another unwelcome pause on Sam Sunderland ’ s world championship title defence . Although Sunderland did initially consider taking part in the five-stage event , in his own words , he wouldn ’ t be able to push anywhere near his maximum and could risk further damage to his ankle . As such , the two-time Dakar Champion took the difficult decision to not race the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge – an event the former Dubai resident has won three times . Sunderland hopes to be fully healed and back racing his GasGas RX 450F by round three of the world championship , where he will join teammate Daniel Sanders in Mexico . “ The news of Sam ’ s injury has come as a terrible blow to the whole Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing team ,” explained Team Manager Stadlbauer . “ He was putting in a final test before the event , came over a dune and landed in a hole which resulted in him breaking his ankle . It ’ s such a shame for Sam , especially after all the hard work he has put in to be fit for this race after missing out on the Dakar . This unfortunately means GasGas will not be represented at this second round of the world championship . But we ’ re already looking ahead to round three and having both our boys back on their bikes .” With the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge wrapping up as we go live , we ’ ll have a wrap of the event in the next issue of Kiwi Rider .
KIWI RIDER 97