Former MotoGP rider Danilo Petrucci reached a new high on Stage 4 of the Dakar Raওlly, rocketing to the third fastest stage time 🍸and top KTM.

Considered arguably the tough𝔍est stage of 𝓀the Dakar so far, the 465km run featured fast tracks, rocky sections and river crossings.

Setting off 22nd, Petrucci felt comfortable with the high pace and tric🐎ky-to-navigate tracks at the beginning of the special. Later finding himself in a group of three, the It📖alian was able to match the pace of his more experienced competitors and complete the gruelling stage without issue.

“It was a really fast stage today with some very fast pistes. I was able to ride in a group and had a lot of fun, I really enjoyed i🅰t," Petrucci said. "It was such a long stage but fortunately I didn’t make any mistakes and was able to find a good rhythm. I learned a lot today too, so now I’m really excited for tomorrow and the rest of the event.”

The former MotoGP race winner reach🐻ed the finish in a time of 4h 12m 59s, which was 6m 53s behind stage winner Joan Barreda but almost the same marg𓃲in clear of KTM team-mate and Dakar victory contender Matthias Walkner.

It was an exceptional achievement given 🌄the Saudi Arabian adve🀅nture is not only Petrucci's first Dakar, but first rally-raid event.

But it was also perhaps a bittersweet result for the I𒁃talian 'rookie' given the terminal electrical problem s🍒uffered on Stage 2, which meant his 450cc machine had to be recovered by helicopter, putting him out of the overall running.

Today's performance means Petru▨cci will start near the front for tomorro🔯w's fifth stage.

The 2022 Dakar - currently led by GAS-GAS rider Sam Sunderland, who is three minutes clear of Walkner - concl🌱udes on January 14th.