Click it and Unblock the Notifications
Dakar 2023 Stage 7 Results: Yazeed Al Rajhi Claims Win As Bikes Take Day Off Due To Weather
Stage 7 of Dakar 2023 saw Saudi driver Yazeed Al Rajhi storm to a stage win as the special stage for bikes and quads was cancelled due to weather conditions. Toyota's Al-Attiyah and Husqvarna rider Skyler Howes continue
Stage 7 of Dakar 2023 saw Saudi driver Yazeed Al Rajhi storm to a stage win as the special stage for bikes and quads was cancelled due to weather conditions. Toyota's Al-Attiyah and Husqvarna rider Skyler Howes continue to lead the overall standings after Stage 7.
While the bikes and quads travelled the desert through a 476km liaison to Al Duwadimi, it was pedal to the metal in the cars as drivers ran through gravels beds, sand and dunes on an 861km drive from Riyadh to Al Duwadimi which included a 333km long timed special stage.
It was a joyous stage for fans of Dakar in its host nation as Yazeed Al Rajhi piloted his Toyota Hilux to the third stage victory of his career at the world's toughest rally. The Overdrive Racing driver romped his way across the gravel beds and sands of Saudi Arabia to claim victory in 3 hours, 6 minutes and 23 seconds.
Sitting 8 minutes and 5 seconds behind Al Rakjhi in second was Lithuanian driver Vaidotas Zala of Teltonika Racing who piloted his Prodrive Hunter. Zala finished the stage in 3 hours, 15 minutes and 17 seconds.
The final podium spot was claimed by French driver Guerlain Chicherit of GCK Motorsport. The French driver piloted his Prodrive Hunter across the Saudi sands in 3 hours 16 minutes and 38 seconds. Chicherit finished the stage 10 minutes and 15 seconds behind Al Rajhi.
WRC legend Sebastian Loeb who was in the mix for quite a bit of the stage finished the stage in 9th overall while Dakar 2023 overall leader Nasser Al-Attiyah took it easy today, finishing the stage in 14th overall, 19 minutes and 12 seconds adrift of Al Rajhi.
It was a torrid day for Audi once again at the Dakar with Mattias Ekstrom and Carlos Sainz finishing today's stage in the final two spots nearly 3 and a half hours behind the stage winner. Both Ekstrom and Sainz were fighting for the lead at multiple points of today's special stage.
Ekstrom developed mechanical issues in today's special stage which featured a marathon section which meant that the drivers had to make repairs on their own. Instead of leaving his Swedish teammate stranded, Sainz stopped and helped Ekstrom mend his car, losing quite a big chunk of time as he put his teammate before his chances of a stage win.
In the overall standings, Nasser Al-Attiyah continues to lead Dakar 2023. The Qatari Toyota driver is 1 hour, 1 minute and 04 seconds ahead of his teammate Henk Lategan of South Africa. Completing the podium is Brazilian driver Lucas Moraes of Overdrive Racing, who is 1 hour, 11 minutes and 24 seconds behind Al-Attiyah.
Thoughts About Dakar 2023 Stage 7
The 7th stage of Dakar 2023 saw the special stage get cancelled for those on bikes and quads. However, with the cars and the trucks all going hell for leather, there was more than enough drama and racing to make Stage 7 another special day at Dakar 2023.
Tomorrow the bikes rejoin the fray as the rally heads back to Riyadh ahead of the rest day on Monday.
Continue with Google