Dakar Rally 2021 Stage 7 Results & Highlights: A Good Start To Marathon Stage For Indians

The first marathon stage of the 2021 Dakar Rally was won by Ricky Brabec riding for Monster Energy Honda Team 2021. His teammate Jose Ignacio Cornejo Florimo has finished second with 2 minutes and seven seconds behind the stage winner. The third place in Stage 7 of this year's rally race is won by Skyler Howes riding for BAS Dakar KTM Team.

Speaking about the seventh stage of the rally race, it was held between Ha'il and Sakaka. It covered a total distance of 737 kilometres including 453 kilometres of Special competitive stage. The Marathon stage started initially with a solid surface, which then quickly changed into the sand and the dunes.

Because Stage 7 is part of the Marathon, participants were cautious with the navigation throughout the special course. In case of a breakdown, the participant will not be getting assistance from the team. However, the can ask other participants for help.

It was a good outing for Indian participating in the 2021 Dakar Rally on part one of the Marathon stages. Hero MotoSports Rally Team riders Joaquim Rodrigues and Sebastian Buhler continue their exceptional form to get another top 10 finish in Stage 7 of the rally. Joaquim Rodrigues finished in 9th position, while Sebastian Buhler completed in 23rd place.

Harith Noah riding for Sherco Factory Rally Team sponsored by TVS has finished in 25th position overall. He completed the stage in a total time of 05:17:03, which is 39 minutes and 19 seconds behind the stage winner.

Lorenzo Santolino and Rui Goncalves, who are riding alongside Harith Noah in the team continue to improve their standings. They scored 13th and 21st position overall, respectively and continue to improve their position in General standing of the rally race.

Ricky Brabec, the winner of Stage 7 of 2021 Dakar Rally, said, "I'm not sure about getting back a whole lotta time. Toby's still behind me. We're gonna try and stay focused and make it through tomorrow to get back to a mechanic. I don't know if this Dakar is about strategy. I think the strategy is to not open. I think everyone that's opening is just losing a little bit of time. There's five days left and we're gonna try just to finish in the top 7 every day and see if we can make up a little bit of time."

After the completion of the first Marathon Stage of the 2020 Dakar Rally, Monster Energy Honda Team 2021 rider Jose Ignacio Cornejo Florimo has taken lead in the General classification of the race.

Red Bull KTM Factory Team riders Toby Price and Sam Sunderland is placed in 2nd and 3rd position in the General Standings. Toby price is just 1 second behind the race leader, while his teammate Sam Sunderland is 2 minutes and 11 seconds away from the rally race leader.

Stage 7 Provisional Results:
Hero MotoSport Rally Team Standings
9th Position - Joaquim Rodrigues [04:43:39]
23rd Position - Sebastian Buhler [05:14:23']

Sherco Rally Team Standings
13th Position - Lorenzo Santolino [04:46:28]
22nd Position - Rui Goncalves [05:08:32]
35th Position - Harith Noah [05:17:03]

Stage 7 Standings (Bike)
1st Position - Ricky Brabec [04:37:44] (Monster Energy Honda Team 2021)
2nd Position - Jose Ignacio Cornejo Florimo [04:39:51] (Monster Energy Honda Team 2021)
3rd Position - Skyler Howes [04:40:03] (BAS Dakar KTM Team)

Stage 7 Winners In Other Categories
Quad:
Manuel Andujar (7240 Team)

Car:
Yazeed Al Rajhi & Dirk Von Zitzewitz (Overdrive Toyota)

Lightweight Vehicle/SSV:
Francisco Lopez Contardo & Juan Pablo Latrach Vinagre (South Racing CAN-AM)

Truck:
Dmitry Sotnikov, Ruslan Akhmadeev & Ilgiz Akhmetzianov (Kamaz - Master)

Classic:
Marc Douton & Emilien Etienne (Team Sunhill)

General Standings After Stage 6 (Provisional)
Hero MotoSport Rally Team Standings
16th Position - Joaquim Rodrigues
21st Position - Sebastian Buhler

Sherco Rally Team Standings
11th Position - Lorenzo Santolino
26th Position - Rui Goncalves
33rd Position - Harith Noah

Overall Standings (Bike)
1st Position - Jose Ignacio Cornejo Florimo (Monster Energy Honda Team 2021)
2nd Position - Toby Price (Red Bull KTM Factory Team)
3rd Position - Sam Sunderland (Red Bull KTM Factory Team)

General Standings Leaders In Other Categories
Quad:
Manuel Andujar (7240 Team)

Car:
Stephane Peterhansel & Edouard Boulanger (X-RAID MINI JCW TEAM)

Lightweight Vehicle/SSV:
Aron Domzala & Maciej Marton (Monster Energy CAN-AM)

Truck:
Dmitry Sotnikov, Ruslan Akhmadeev & Ilgiz Akhmetzianov (Kamaz - Master)

Classic:
Marc Douton & Emilien Etienne (Team Sunhill)

Thoughts About The 2021 Dakar Rally Stage 7 Result & Highlights

Indian participants and team had a good outing at the first Marathon Stage of the 2021 Dakar Rally. Harith Noah continues to improve his General Rankings with a stunning perfromance on today stage. Hero MotoSports Rally Team rider also continue to perform well for the team. Stay tuned for a complete race report of the second part of the Marathon Stage in the 2021 Dakar Rally.