Sainz remains third and Barreda loses time in the Dakar
The Spanish drivers' chances of victory in the Dakar continue to be distant after the dispute of the seventh stage, between Ha'il and Sakaka. In motorcycles, the partial victory went to the American Brabec and the Chilean Cornejo took the lead, with Barreda leaving almost nine minutes. In cars, stage victory for Saudi Al Rajhi, third place for Sainz (the same one he occupies in the general classification) and a reinforced lead for Peterhansel.
American Ricky Brabec, current champion of the Dakar Rally in the motorcycle category, this Sunday won the seventh stage, with 284 kilometers of connection and 453 of special.
Monster Energy Honda Team Rider beat Chilean José Ignacio Cornejo for 2 minutes and 7 seconds (Honda), who finished second and is the new leader of the general classification. Improves the accumulated time of Australian Toby Price (KTM) by 1 second at the end of the seventh of twelve stages.
Only Ricky Brabec was able to surpass José Ignacio Cornejo this Sunday, who is confirmed as one of the favorites in this edition of the Dakar Rally, which for the second consecutive year, it is held in Saudi Arabia.
The fight in the general classification narrows and it is that, apart from the second that separates José Ignacio Cornejo and Toby Price, British Sam Suderland (+2: 11) and French Xavier De Soultrait (+2: 34) they are relatively close to the new leader.
The Argentinian Kevin Benavides fell to fifth position, on a bad day for him, and he is 7 minutes and 29 seconds behind the overall lead.
For its part, the Spanish Joan Barreda (Honda), winner of the previous stage, he lost 8 minutes and 57 seconds this Sunday and is sixth overall, 10 minutes and 18 seconds behind Cornejo.
Cars
The Saudi Yazeed Al Rajhi (Overdrive Toyota) denied the victory in the seventh special for 48 seconds to the French Stéphane Peterhansel (X-Raid Mini JCW), who is the most leader of the Dakar Rally in the car category despite the fact that he continues to resist the stage triumph in this edition.
'Monsieur Dakar', thirteen times winner of the toughest rally in the world, took another step towards final victory in Jeddah by increase your advantage over your pursuers.
Tastingí Nasser Al-Attiyah gave up 2 minutes with respect to Stéphane Peterhansel and remains at 7:53 in the general, at the end of the seventh of twelve stages.
For its part, the Spanish Carlos Sainz (X-Raid Mini JCW), current champion of the test, set the third fastest time of the day. El Matador remains third overall, 41 minutes and 6 seconds behind the leader.
More than 5 hours from the lead, Al Rajhi is fourth overall after the first part of the marathon stage, between Ha'il and Sakaka, with 284 kilometers of connection and 453 of special.
The pilots, who today will not be able to receive mechanical assistance, will face the second part of the marathon stage this Monday, with a 334-kilometer link and a 375-kilometer special from Sakaka to Neom, passing through some of the most beautiful sites in Saudi Arabia.
Peterhansel enters the final stage of the Dakar Rally with a valuable lead, having exhibited great consistency. Add four second places, two third and one fourth in this edition.
