Bike rookie Canet enjoys dream Dakar start

The KTM factory rider ended the 22km ride around Yanbu three seconds clear of teammate and defending champion Daniel Sanders with Honda's American rider Ricky Brabec, the 2024 winner, five seconds adrift. "I was super fast and super happy with this feeling. It's the best way to start the rally," said Canet. Sanders was relieved to get his title defence up and running. "Happy to be here at the start line and get the prologue done. It was a lot faster than expected, but not so technical, so it was hard to make up time," the Australian said.