David Knight is slowly but surely making his way up the order in the bike class of the 43rd Dakar Rally.

The 42-year-old multiple former Enduro World Champion is 36th overall going into the rest day on Saturday.

In Friday’s 662km stage from Al Qaisumah to Ha’il in northern Saudi Arabia he was 31st quickest, 37min 52sec down on Spain’s Joan Barreda on the factory Honda.

Knight, riding for the Holland-based HT Rally Raid Husqvarna team, is now second Briton behind Sam Sunderland in sixth, following the disappointing retirement of fellow Manxman Jamie McCanney from 19th place on Thursday.

’I’m building slowly,’ said David on Friday evening. ’Struggling in deep dunes with my ribs [after a slow-speed collision with a rock several days ago] but happy enough and riding at a pace I’m comfortable with.’

The action resumes on Sunday and continues until Friday, January 15.

Knighter is being supported by UGGLY & CO, a clothing brand created and woven from a passion for extreme sports including skiing, skateboarding, motorsports and downhill mountain biking.

After his title sponsor pulled out, the company approached him with one aim in mind, helping Knighter get to the Dakar.

UGGLY & CO has created the ’Knighter 101 cap’ (pictured) to help all those at home support David in Saudi Arabia, whilst also helping the Dakar fund.

Continue to support David Knight’s Dakar bid through www.ugglyandco.com