
Spanish Honda rider Joan Barreda has lost the lead in the Dakar Rally motorcycle category after picking up an hour penalty for illegal refuelling, organisers said on Friday.
Chilean Pablo Quintanilla of Husqvarna is the new race leader after 33-year-old Barreda was penalised after he refuelled in an unauthorised area.
Barreda, who dominated the third stage from San Miguel de Tucuman to San Salvador de Jujuy in the north of Argentina, has been demoted to seventh position overall, 41 minutes behind Quintanilla.
Three other Honda riders -- France's Michael Metge, American Ricky Brabec and Portugal's Paulo Goncalves -- were also slapped with the same penalty for illegal refuelling during Thursday's fourth stage.
The penalties are a blow for the Japanese team's bid to take the title from Austrian rivals KTM, unbeaten in the Dakar since 2002.
KTM however have been hit hard as defending motorcycle champion Toby Price of Australia was forced to retire on Thursday after breaking his left leg in a fall.
Friday's fifth stage is over 692km from Tupiza to Oruro in Bolivia.
Source: AFP
GMT 10:11 2018 Tuesday ,23 January
Russian speed skater An 'banned from Olympics for doping'GMT 15:54 2018 Sunday ,21 January
Unbeaten Garcia title fight with Lipinets moved to MarchGMT 09:22 2018 Thursday ,18 January
Stokes available for England selection despite chargeGMT 14:36 2018 Tuesday ,16 January
Barcelona's Dembele suffers new injury setbackGMT 10:22 2018 Tuesday ,16 January
England's Stokes charged with affray over nightclub fightGMT 15:06 2018 Monday ,15 January
Rock-bottom Cologne shock GladbachGMT 07:37 2018 Sunday ,14 January
Spanish tax authorities scrutinise Messi foundationGMT 06:54 2018 Sunday ,14 January
Del Potro ready for Melbourne despite Auckland loss

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor