At the end of a stage dominated from start to finish, Sébastien Loeb (BRX) won ahead of Nasser Al-Attiyah (Toyota). Overall, the Alsatian is less than ten minutes from his Qatari rival.
Sunday, Sébastien Loeb had already made a good impression. Despite two punctures at the start of the day, the Alsatian managed to secure the second final fastest time behind Nasser Al-Attiyah, winner of the prologue the day before. This Monday, the duel between the two men kept all its promises, the other drivers failing to compete from the start of this 339 km special. This time, it is Sébastien Loeb who has dominated the debates during each of the intermediate points, seven in number until the arrival at Al Qaysumah, concluding with three and a half minutes of margin over his Qatari rival. it’s about the 15th stage victory by Sébastien Loeb on the Dakar, the first with his new Belgian co-driver, Fabian Lurquin, and also the first for the Prodrive team.
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« It’s quite rare to say that on the Dakar, but it was a perfect stage and in this race, you have to take everything there is to take.« , reacted hot the nine-time world rally champion. Today’s result has the effect of narrowing the gap between the two leading men. Nasser Al-Attiyah retains leadership status, but his lead over Sébastien Loeb is reduced to less than ten minutes. A priori, no other driver will be able to come and interfere in this regular duel. Third overall, Lucio Alvarez (Overdrive Toyota) is already more than 40 minutes from the lead.
In motorcycle category, the stage victory between Ha’il and Al Qaysumah went to the experienced Joan Barreda Bort (Honda). Still in search of a first final victory on the Dakar, the Spaniard won with more than five minutes ahead of the Briton Sam Sunderland (KTM) and the Argentinian Kevin Benavides (KTM), the defending champion. . Eighth of the stage, the French Adrien Van Beveren (Yamaha) took advantage of its consistency over the past three days to achieve a good overall operation, dating back to second place within three minutes of Sam Sunderland, new leader.
? Step 2
⏱ Special classification: P1 ?
? General classification: P2
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First stage victory with @BRaidXtreme ?? It is quite rare to say that on the @dakar but it was a perfect special and in this race, you have to take everything there is to take ?? #BRX pic.twitter.com/anLeJOwGDO– Sébastien Loeb (@SebastienLoeb) January 3, 2022
Photo of a: Marcelo Maragni / Red Bull Content Pool
More informations :
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