Brabec and Cornejo claim another Monster Energy Honda Team one-two at stage seven. The Chilean rider, new leader of the rally

2021 Dakar Rally
2021 Dakar Round DAK21

Brabec and Cornejo claim another Monster Energy Ford Team one-two at stage 7. The Chilean rider, new head of the rally

Monster Energy Ford Team’s Honda CRF450 RALLY bicycles continue to steal the limelight in the 2021 Dakar. As the race started again after the rest day, Ricky Brabec commanded the opening leg from the marathon stage, with Nacho Cornejo finishing behind him. The Chilean rider currently holds the move leadership by a tight margin.

The second 7 days of racing got underway with all the first part of the Marathon stage, linking the Ha’il bivouac to the Sakaka bivouac, which will be off-limits to technicians and outside assistance. The day’s stage featured 471 kilometres contrary to the clock out of a total of 737 kilometres. Upon arrival at Sakaka, riders were able to check the condition of the bikes and all reported arriving with no issues. Today’s stage included hills, sandy tracks, rocky areas plus high-speed winding tracks.

It proved a favourable time for Ricky Brabec, who was released determined to play his strongest turn in a bid to keep any end-of-rally choices open. Monster Energy Honda Team’s American rider reached the finish-line, registering the best time of the day, to state a second stage win so far within this Dakar. The current champion lies 8th in the overall standings, 14 minutes at the rear of the race leader.

José Ignacio Cornejo also a new noteworthy day. The Chilean – a fine navigator – finished using the second quickest time of the day plus, after almost 29 hours associated with rallying, becomes the new Dakar general leader with a single second benefit over the nearest second-placed rival. The particular rider from Iquique arrived problem-free at the parc fermé aboard the Ford CRF450 RALLY with the bike’s tires still in good condition and will right now prepare to tackle the second lower-leg of the marathon stage.

Joan Barreda was the first driver to set off from the Ha’il bivouac this morning. The Spaniard set a great pace which, by the end of the unique stage, had served as a harm limitation exercise. The rider through Castellón conceded just nine moments to his team-mate and ultimate stage winner Brabec. Joan presently holds sixth place overall, 10 minutes off the leader.

In fifth place overall, simply ahead of Barreda, was Kevin Benavides, some 7’29” behind Cornejo, right after finishing somewhat late on the day. Nevertheless , the Argentine from the Monster Power Honda Team will attempt to make-up time and positions in the 2nd part of the marathon stage that happens tomorrow. In store will be a total associated with 375 kilometres of timed unique, on a total stage of 709 kilometres, before arriving at the Neom bivouac.

Ricky Brabec ^one STAGE: FIRST OVERALL: 8TH Today I had a great day. I didn’t expect to earn the stage but I’ll carry it. I started catching Joan simply by refueling and he was like an one minute ahead. When I caught up, we all opened the track together towards the finish. I open the monitor tomorrow with my teammate Nacho who finished second today.
José Ignacio Cornejo ⁴ STAGE: 2ND OVERALL: 1ST I’ve finished the convention stage well. In the first component I had some problems in the exotic area that was more difficult as it had been wet. From then on, I managed to discover my rhythm. Before getting to the particular refuelling I had a problem with the container, I lost some minutes, yet I was able to sort it out there. After, I went all out to attempt to make up for the minutes I’d decreased. I did not make any routing errors and was able to recover. I have taken over the leadership in the common standings, so I am very happy. Right now the strategy is going well, yet there are many days left and the battle is very close. So we will carry on and take it day by day, as we have been performing up until now.
Kevin Benavides ^{forty seven} STAGE: 16TH OVERALL: 5TH The stage today really was difficult for me. I didn’t feel at ease on the bike today, maybe a small tired. I think rest day pulled me out of sync! But We kept a good pace until I needed a navigation error at the end of the particular stage. I lost time yet tomorrow I start back again therefore i will try to push to the front side!
Joan Barreda ⁸⁸ STAGE: 14TH OVERALL: 6TH One of my tyres is a little bit damaged, but I don’t think it is going to be a big problem. I have already been checking it all day and so considerably it seems to have been holding up pretty much. I hope that tomorrow will be alright for the second part of the marathon phase.