Chilean Jose Ignacio Cornejo Florimo (Honda), at the top of the Dakar 2021 motorcycle category at the start of the day, had to retire after the tenth stage between Neom and Al'Ula, due to a crash without serious consequences.
The accident fell at km 252 of the special, but the 26-year-old driver managed to resume the race.
He crossed the line in 11th position but, in agreement with the race medical service, chose to withdraw from the competition, in particular due to a potential risk of concussion.
He was then taken by helicopter to Tabuk hospital for further tests.
The stage was won by the American Ricky Brabec, teammate of the Chilean. Cornejo Florimo had won the eighth stage and had finished second twice in the fifth and seventh stages. He had occupied the head of the general classification since Sunday and was 11'24 "ahead of the second classified. This is the third retirement of a favorite, after those of the Australian Toby Price on KTM yesterday and the French Xavier de Soultrait (Husqvarna) on Monday The general classification of the two wheels now sees the Argentine Kevin Benavides (Honda) in the lead with a 51 "advantage over Brabec.
