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.
Meanwhile, reigning Australian Open champion Rafael Nadal said he was “not too alarmed” on Monday after he lost a second straight singles match in the United Cup warm up event.
“Honestly, I’m not too alarmed or too negative about what happened. There was a real chance to lose these kinds of matches,” said Nadal after falling to Alex de Minaur in Sydney.
“There is room to improve. I really believe I can do it.”
Nadal dropped six consecutive games after leading a set and 1-0 against de Minaur as the Australian turned the match around for a 3-6, 6-1, 7-5 upset in Sydney.
Nadal also lost to Cameron Norrie in his country’s first tie at the mixed-teams event as Spain were beaten by Great Britain at the weekend.
With his singles run over at the inaugural edition of the competition, being played in three cities, 22-time Grand Slam winner Nadal is keen to get to Melbourne and train for his Open title defence starting in a fortnight.
“I have two weeks before the start,” Nadal said. “I can’t say the situation is ideal, but I can’t say that it’s very negative.
“For moments I was playing well, two matches are going to help. I arrived needing a little bit more time.”
The veteran said he was outplayed by world number 24 De Minaur.
“He played better in the important moments. I had my chances but I made important mistakes at those moments that I can’t do if I want to win.”
