Dakar 2024, Stage 7: Cornejo beats the Benavides brothers, Lucci out

After the brand-new 48h timed stage followed by a well-deserved rest day, riders competing in the 2024 Dakar were back in action during Stage 7. A very challenging special, with rocks, dirt, sand, dunes and asphalt ensuring a very varied route, with the 483 km timed stage finishing in Al Duwadimi. Not easy to navigate, it proved taxing for those who opened the stage.

One rider who had no real issues was José Ignacio Cornejo Florimo, who takes his third stage win of the year aboard the factory Honda CRF450 Rally after going head to head with Kevin Benavides, second with the KTM, just 32'' behind the Chilean rider. Younger Benavides brother Luciano also reaches the podium, third with the Husqvarna, 3'12'' from first.

Brabec holds the overal lead... by one second!

Among those who opened the stage, Ricky Brabec has lost ground but limits the damage. Thanks also to the time adjustment that saw him make up 3'58'', he was able to retain his overall lead in the standings ahead of Ross Branch, who has moved in on the American and now lies just one second behind. An infinitesimal gap that goes to show just how uncertain this year’s Dakar really is, considering that seven specials have already taken place, for a total of more than 30 hours of racing.

Speaking of riders who have lost ground, it was Toby Price and Adrien Van Beveren who, along with Brabec, paved the way today. Despite the minutes they made up, the KTM rider closed 11’26” from Cornejo and the Honda rider 12'44". Pablo Quintanilla also had problems, technical difficulties causing him to lose more than one hour as he was forced to repair the bike during the stage, which puts paid to his chances of winning the Rally Raid.

Unfortunate DNF for Paolo Lucci

The 2024 Dakar is unfortunately already over for Paolo Lucci. The fastest Italian competitor by some margin over the last few days, he was lying fourteenth in the general standings and fourth in the Rally2 class, and had high hopes of reaching the category podium just as he had done in several specials.

The team BAS World KTM rider waved the white flag at km 192 and was airlifted to the Al Duwadimi hospital for medical checks. Fortunately the Italian is fine, though clearly disappointed considering the potential he had shown over the last week.