Dakar 2023, Stage 8: Sébastien Loeb attacks and returns to the podium match

Sébastien Loeb and Fabian Lurquin (Bahrain Raid Xtreme) have not said their last word in this Dakar Rally 2023. Thrown into limbo in the general classification from the second stage, the Franco-Belgian duo has continued to move up the hierarchy for almost a week. New proof was provided by the nine-time world rally champion (WRC) through the best time of this 8th stage, this Sunday January 8 between Al Duwadimi and Riyadh (Saudi Arabia).

🚗💨 @SebastienLoeb overtakes @TheRealGiniel in the dunes 🏜️# Dakar2023 pic.twitter.com/8LJfXpoY3E

- DAKAR RALLY (@dakar) January 8, 2023

The Alsatian driver benefited from a five-minute penalty imposed on Carlos Sainz-Lucas Cruz (Audi) for speeding in a controlled zone. The Spaniards are content with third place on the eve of the rest day in the Saudi capital.

For the vice-world champion of rally-raid (W2RC), this is a great step. Sébastien Loeb climbs to the foot of the virtual podium, certainly with a significant delay on the leaders Nasser Al-Attiyah and Mathieu Baumel (Toyota, +1h52 and 2nd in the stage). The Frenchman especially benefited from the bad day experienced by the winner of the 2009 Dakar, Giniel de Villiers (Toyota), who lost half an hour.

Among the runners-up still in the running, we can note the good form of Jakub Przygonski and Armand Monléon aboard their new Mini JCW T1+ (5th). Returning to the Dakar with a cutting-edge vehicle for the first time in his career, Romain Dumas, well navigated by Max Delfino (Toyota), took the 8th best time and strengthened his position in the top 10. The track rider from Alès ( Gard) is even 6th before the second week of racing, enough to equal his best place on a Dakar!

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Dakar 2023 ranking – Stage 8:

General classification :