Tosha Schareina’s adventure in the Dakar 2024 has been short-lived. The promising Valencian Honda rider, who had been the winner of the prologue stage on Friday, launching his candidacy for the Tuareg, had to abandon the race on the second day. The 28-year-old suffered an accident at kilometer 240 of the first stage (Al Ula-Al Henakiyah, 414 km special), damaged his arm and had to be evacuated by helicopter to a hospital.
According to the Dakar rally organization, Schareina had started 17th in the first stage. Despite winning the prologue by 12 seconds over Daniel Sanders, the Valencian chose to start 17th, two minutes behind his HRC teammate Adrien Van Beveren.
However, after setting the third fastest time at the previous checkpoint (km 225), 2m04 behind Ross Branch (Hero), he suffered a fall at kilometer 240. Branch, who was the fastest competitor of the day, he stopped to assist the official Honda pilot, who was injured in the arm. The Botswanan’s stop time, of about 25 minutes, would be restored at the end of the stage.
The Valencian received medical assistance and was evacuated by medical services. The Spaniard, in his third Dakar, abandons the race prematurely despite being the most prominent candidate.
Portuguese Joaquim Rodrigues also suffered a fall at kilometer 82 of the stage. The Hero pilot was treated by the medical team and was conscious. His condition was stable, according to the organization, although a fracture was suspected. He was evacuated by helicopter to Al Ula hospital.
The victory of the first stage went to Ross Branch, once the assistance time to Schareina was restored. The Hero rider had crossed the finish line with the 16th best time of the day, 16m10s behind Ricky Brabec (Honda).
