RALLY DAKAR 2022

Cornejo wins the seventh stage, with Van Beveren de nuevo leader

Nacho Cornejo has noted his triumph in the seventh stage of the Dakar in the category of motorcycles after completing the special in 3 hours, 28 minutes and 46 seconds. The Honda biker, with a delayed exit position, has taken the trailhead around kilometer 120 and has not abandoned this position. Cornejo has surpassed Kevin Benavides by 44 seconds in a tight final. For his part, Joan Barreda was third, despite dragging a lesion on his shoulder. Adrien Van Beveren is the new leader of the Dakar behind Sam Sunderland's problems opening the track.

Motorcycles...The neutralization of the sixth stage and the particularities of the previous special break with the usual dynamics of Dakar. Without embargo, with the prueba leaving behind the capital of Saudi Arabia towards Al Dawadimi, the 'customs' have been recovered. With Daniel Sanders leaving the escape after withdrawing by falling into the link, leader Sam Sunderland was in charge of opening the track. And the GasGas pilot wasted a lot of time with a Matthias Walkner who didn't tarry en darle home. From behind, the race unfolded at another pace and this jugaba in favor of the riders who emerged more from the tenth position.

From then on, Nacho Cornejo ended up with the victory after starting the next stage of the first 20 positions. The Chilean closes the special with 44 seconds of advantage over Kevin Benavides. On his part, Joan Barreda managed to overcome his injury to finish third at 2 minutes and 51 seconds from his teammate. The 'top 5' final has closed Luciano Benavides and Lorenzo Santolino, increasingly closer to the lead and in a very positive position in the first ones that will open track on the eighth stage. In the final five days there will be some very fine hilarity.

Adrien Van Beveren is his rival to beat. The Yamaha rider hasn't won a single stage, but he has always been among the best and that regularity is valid to be ahead of the general. He has a 5 minute and 12 second run over Matthias Walkner, while current champion Kevin Benavides is 11 seconds off his partner. Sam Sunderland is fourth and Lorenzo Santolino fifth, 6 minutes and 34 seconds from the leader. For his part, Joan Barreda occupies the eighth place, 8 minutes and 33 seconds off his head. In spite of this equality, Van Beveren will only have a lower output position than Walkner and Sunderland.

Autonews/Mundoquatrorodas