In a stunning comeback, French rally driver Sebastien Loeb snatched victory in the Dakar Rally stage around Shubaytah. Loeb, a nine-time World Rally Championship winner, had started the stage in third place, trailing behind the Audi duo of Carlos Sainz Sr and Mattias Ekstrom. However, Loeb managed to overtake both Audis and claim a 2m01s victory over Sainz at the finish line. This win marked Loeb’s second stage victory of 2024, bringing his career total to 25 stage wins and solidifying his position as one of the top drivers in the history of the ASO-run rally-raid.
The stage was not without its surprises, as reigning champion Nasser Al-Attiyah encountered mechanical problems with his Prodrive Hunter and lost valuable time. He eventually reached the finish line but suffered a setback of nearly three hours. This setback effectively ended Al-Attiyah’s chances of clinching a third consecutive Dakar title, as he dropped down the rankings and now sits provisionally classified in 17th place. This turn of events gave Audi a clear advantage in the overall standings, with Sainz leading the pack and Ekstrom close behind.
While Audi currently holds the top two positions in the overall standings, Sebastien Loeb is determined to challenge their dominance. With six stages left to run in the second week of the marathon, Loeb sits in third place, trailing Sainz by 29m31s. Despite the gap, Loeb has consistently displayed his skill and determination throughout the rally and will undoubtedly push hard to close in on the leading Audi drivers.
Behind the leading trio, Guillaume de Mevius of Overdrive heads the Toyota contingent in fourth place. Lucas Moraes and Giniel de Villiers, both factory Toyota drivers, follow closely behind in the fifth and sixth positions. However, all three Toyota drivers have already dropped an hour on Sainz and will need to make up substantial ground if they hope to challenge for the top spots. MP Sports Ford driver Martin Prokop, Century’s Mathieu Serradori, Toyota newcomer Guy Botterill, and Eryk Goczal complete the top 10.
After a mid-rally halt, the Dakar Rally will resume on Sunday with a 483km stage from Riyadh to Al-Duwadimi. The drivers will face new challenges and obstacles as they continue their grueling journey towards the final destination. With several stages still to come, anything can happen, and the battle for the top positions will surely intensify.
Overall, Sebastien Loeb’s stunning comeback in the Dakar Rally stage around Shubaytah has injected a new level of excitement into the competition. Despite Audi’s current dominance in the overall standings, Loeb and other determined drivers are ready to push the limits and challenge their reign. As the rally continues, fans can expect more thrilling moments and unpredictable twists in this ultimate test of endurance and skill.
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