Leader of the general classification since Sunday, the Chilean Jose Ignacio Cornejo (Honda) won the 8th stage of the Dakar on Monday. On the other hand, it’s over for Xavier De Soultrait (Husqvarna), the best French biker, victim of a heavy fall.
Four days before the final finish of the Dakar, Jose Ignacio Cornejo can start to believe it! The Chilean Honda rider, who took the lead in the general classification on Sunday for a second ahead of Toby Price (KTM), is now 1’06 ahead of the Australian, after his victory on the 8th stage of the Dakar this Monday, its premiere of the 2021 edition.
This 375 km special made of sand and pebbles was tight, and it was Toby Price who led it most often, but only a few seconds, before being blown to the wire by Cornejo. Price finished at 1’05 and Ricky Brabec, the title holder and who opened the special on Monday, at 2’50. Cornejo (4th in the Dakar 2020) and Price (winner in 2016 and 2019) now have a good lead over their pursuers (Sam Sunderland is 5’59 from Cornejo, on his KTM) and the final victory could well be played between the two bikers Friday.
The bad news of the day is for the Frenchman Xavier De Soultrait (Husqvarna), who was fourth in the general classification and who fell heavily at kilometer 257. He was helicoptered, conscious, to the hospital in Tabouk.
🏍 Bikes – Stage 8 🏁
🏆 @ nachocornejo11
🥈 @ tobyprice87 +00: 01: 05
🥉 @ rickyB357 +00: 02: 50 # Dakar2021 pic.twitter.com/vZJ5j0t2rC– DAKAR RALLY (@dakar) January 11, 2021
RALLYE-RAID / DAKAR 2021
8th motorcycle stage – Sakaka – Neom (709 km, including 375 km of special) – Monday 11 January 2021
1- Jose Ignacio Cornejo (CHI / Honda) in 3h08’40
2- Toby Price (AUS / KTM) at 1’05
3- Ricky Brabec (USA / Honda) at 2’50
4- Sam Sunderland (GBR / KTM) at 3’46
5- Kevin Benavides (ARG / Honda) at 5’29
…
13- Adrien Van Beveren (FRA / Yamaha) at 12’48
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General motorcycle classification after 8 stages (out of 12)
1- Jose Ignacio Cornejo (CHI / Honda) in 32h00’11
2- Toby Price (AUS / KTM) at 1’06
3- Sam Sunderland (GBR / KTM) at 5’59
4- Kevin Benavides (ARG / Honda) at 12’58
5- Joan Barreda (ESP / Yamaha) at 16’05
…
14- Adrien Van Beveren (FRA / Yamaha) at 50’30
…
