This 670 kilometer stage, including 447 km of special, was also cut short for some of the competitors, around 2:00 p.m. local time (12:00 p.m. in Paris), after the arrival of the first drivers, due to heavy rains which made it impossible to ensure the security required, according to the organizers.
While he had knowingly braked the day before so as not to win and not have to open the track on Tuesday, Sanders crossed the finish line first this time, according to provisional results.
He leads Argentinian Kevin Benavides (KTM) by five minutes and 23 seconds.
Skyler Howes (USA / Husqvarna), who finished third on Monday, played the track-opening bonus game on Tuesday and finished third in the stage, six minutes and 19 seconds behind Sanders.
The provisional general classification gives Sanders first.
Mason Klein (USA / KTM), who gained almost 6 minutes of bonuses, is second at 4 minutes and 4 seconds;
and Bennavides takes third place on the podium, 4 minutes and 53 seconds behind.
This year, a new rule has been introduced for the motorcycle category: bonuses for riders who open the road and make the mark.
The first three drivers who spend the most time opening the special between the start and the refueling benefit from bonuses deducted from their time at the finish.
The American Ricky Brabec, winner in 2020, was forced to retire after a fall at kilometer 274 of the special.