Sebastien Loeb displayed his dominance in stage 7 of the Dakar Rally 2024, cutting Carlos Sainz’s lead by an impressive 10 minutes. Despite starting first on the road, Loeb, accompanied by co-driver Fabian Lurquin, powered through the 438km stage from Riyadh to Al-Duwadimi in their Prodrive Hunter. After initially dropping down the order to 16th place, Loeb fought his way back up to chase down the leading Toyota Gazoo Racing Hiluxes. The intense battle between Loeb and Sainz has captivated audiences as the rally enters its second week.
Matias Ekström, currently in second place overall, encountered a setback when his Audi RS Q e-tron experienced rear suspension issues. This forced Ekström to halt and wait for assistance. Another unfortunate incident occurred with Nani Roma’s M-Sport Ford Ranger, which retired from the race due to mechanical problems.
The performance of Mathieu Serradori and Loic Minaudier in their Century Racing CR6-T was notable, as they secured a top-three finish. Guerlain Chicherit and Alex Winocq closely pursued them, finishing in fourth place.
At kilometer 213, Lucas Moraes claimed the lead from Seth Quintero. Meanwhile, Loeb was hot on their heels, just 18 seconds behind the TGR Hilux. By kilometer 251, Loeb had overtaken Quintero and positioned himself in second place, right behind Moraes. Noteworthy challenger Nasser Al-Attiyah, although out of contention for the lead, aimed to accumulate W2RC points.
As the stage neared its conclusion, Moraes reclaimed second place from Chicherit, with Sainz and Serradori following closely behind.
Ultimately, Loeb secured an impressive victory, surpassing Sainz by a remarkable 10 minutes and 31 seconds in the fourth position. Moraes and Al-Attiyah completed the stage podium, ensuring an exhilarating battle for the top spots.
In the bike category, Chilean rider Jose Florimo showcased his prowess by securing his third stage win of Dakar 2024. However, all eyes are on the intense competition for the overall lead. Florimo’s Honda teammate, Ricky Brabec, finished fifth behind Botswana’s Ross Branch, narrowing the gap to just one second.
Florimo emerged as the leader at the 134km waypoint, but Kevin Benavides took the lead by the midpoint. Luciano Benavides closely followed in third place, while Brabec and Branch engaged in an exciting duel for the top positions.
Ultimately, Florimo reduced the overall gap to six minutes and 48 seconds. Adrien van Beveren followed in third place, trailing by 15 minutes. Kevin Benavides, Toby Price, and Daniel Sanders completed the top positions.
As the Dakar Rally progresses, the competition intensifies, captivating motorsport enthusiasts around the world. The battle for supremacy in both the car and bike categories ensures plenty of excitement in the days to come.
Note: The Dakar Rally is a renowned off-road endurance event that attracts participants from all over the world. Sebastien Loeb is a highly accomplished rally driver and a fan favorite. Carlos Sainz, also known as El Matador, is a legendary rally driver and a strong contender for victory. The rally takes place in Saudi Arabia, providing diverse and challenging terrain for participants.
