RIYADH, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- American rider Skyler Howes claimed his first career stage win at the Dakar Rally on Thursday, taking victory on Stage 11.
Howes delivered a measured and consistent ride to finish 21 seconds clear of teammate Adrien Van Beveren, who completed the stage in 3 hours, 9 minutes and 23 seconds, sealing a one-two finish for Monster Energy Honda HRC.
Spain's Edgar Canet of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing finished third in 3:10:17, one minute and 15 seconds behind the winner after a close battle with the leading Honda bikes.
In the car category, Swedes Mattias Ekstrom and Emil Bergkvist topped the times for Ford Racing, clocking 2:47:22.
They beat the French pairing of Romain Dumas and Alex Winocq of RD Limited, who finished second in 2:48:44, 1 minute and 22 seconds back.
Spain's Carlos Sainz and co-driver Lucas Cruz, also driving for Ford Racing, completed the podium with a time of 2:49:48. ■
