Ventura climbs onto the stage eight podium as Campbell holds his overall lead
Dakar Rally in Saudi ArabiaAs the finish line in Yanbu draws ever closer, all eyes turned to stage eight of this year’s Dakar Rally. Riders faced a punishing 483 km loop in Wadi ad-Dawasir, a stage designed to test every skill. Lightning-fast tracks sliced through the vast desert oasis, while sweeping, ever-shifting dunes in the breathtaking Dawasir region pushed competitors to their limits. A few rugged sections kept riders on edge before a final, high-speed dash through the sand to the finish.
Martim Ventura completed an impressive fightback through the dunes, finishing stage eight just 15 seconds behind Rally2 stage winner Neels Theric. The 25-year-old continues to impress in his first Dakar Rally, climbing the provisional overall leaderboard. Starting the day in seventh, Ventura now sits fifth, just two minutes off fourth, marking a remarkable recovery after dropping to ninth on stage four.
Rally2 leader Preston Campbell has weathered the pressure so far, maintaining his grip at the top. He rode a consistent pace to finish fourth, 3’31” behind the stage winner. While his main rival Toni Mulec gained a minute and a half on him today, Campbell still holds a healthy 9’36” lead as the rally edges toward its final stages.
Stage nine plunges riders back into the brutal marathon challenge, a test that could once again shake up the leaderboard. The day begins with a 120 km liaison before 418 km of high-stakes, timed racing, finishing with a second 188 km liaison to the marathon bivouac. Every second will count, but the real battle over the next two days will be staying sharp and keeping their bikes intact through the punishing conditions.
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Preston finished fourth in Rally2 after riding almost all day with Martim, who caught him at the beginning of the stage. They rode together until the end and despite making some small navigation mistakes, they both rode well. Martim finished in second in what was a close finish, with just 15 seconds separating him from the stage victory. There is still five days to go, with Preston still leading the Rally2 standings. Let’s push again tomorrow to try to gain more time and keep focused.
Preston finished fourth in Rally2 after riding almost all day with Martim, who caught him at the beginning of the stage. They rode together until the end and despite making some small navigation mistakes, they both rode well. Martim finished in second in what was a close finish, with just 15 seconds separating him from the stage victory. There is still five days to go, with Preston still leading the Rally2 standings. Let’s push again tomorrow to try to gain more time and keep focused.
Today went well on the longest timed stage of the rally. I tried to be strong throughout the stage and I managed to do it quite well. I lost a bit of time at the beginning trying to get into a rhythm and at the end I tried to push more. I’m a bit bummed to lose the Rally2 stage victory by just 15 seconds but I’m happy with the performance. It’s the marathon stage tomorrow, we have to be careful as it’s proven to be tough on the bike and on the body.
Today went well on the longest timed stage of the rally. I tried to be strong throughout the stage and I managed to do it quite well. I lost a bit of time at the beginning trying to get into a rhythm and at the end I tried to push more. I’m a bit bummed to lose the Rally2 stage victory by just 15 seconds but I’m happy with the performance. It’s the marathon stage tomorrow, we have to be careful as it’s proven to be tough on the bike and on the body.
It was a good day, it started off fast, then a change of scenery through some rocks in some valleys. It was just fast and straight. Once we started moving through the valleys I was having a good time. For the marathon tomorrow, just push, give it my best and not damage the bike on the first day. Got to have it good to go on both days.
It was a good day, it started off fast, then a change of scenery through some rocks in some valleys. It was just fast and straight. Once we started moving through the valleys I was having a good time. For the marathon tomorrow, just push, give it my best and not damage the bike on the first day. Got to have it good to go on both days.
Rally2 Result - Stage 8
Pos. | Rider | Num | Nation | Team | Constructor | Time/Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | THERIC Neels | 66 | FRA | Kove Factory Racing | Kove | 04:45:44 |
2 | VENTURA Martim | 84 | POR | Honda HRC | Honda | + 00:15 |
3 | MULEC Toni | 16 | SLO | BAS World KTM Racing Team | KTM | + 02:00 |
4 | CAMPBELL Preston | 85 | USA | Honda HRC | Honda | + 03:31 |
5 | DABROWSKI Konrad | 26 | POL | Duust Rally Team | KTM | + 08:45 |
6 | DOCHERTY Michael | 14 | RSA | BAS World KTM Racing Team | KTM | + 09:35 |
7 | BARBOSA Ruy | 41 | CHI | HT Rally Raid | Honda | + 10:15 |
8 | LLEDÓ Arnau | SPA | Pedrega Team | KTM | + 13:08 | |
9 | ENGEL Milan | 21 | CZE | Moto Racing Group - MRG | KTM | + 15:02 |
10 | SANTOS Bruno | 35 | POR | BS FRUTAS PATRICIA PILAR | Husqvarna | + 15:56 |
Rally2 Provisional Standings After Stage 8
Pos. | Rider | Num | Nation | Team | Constructor | Time/Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | CAMPBELL Preston | 85 | USA | Honda HRC | Honda | 35:20:18 |
2 | MULEC Toni | 16 | SLO | BAS World KTM Racing Team | KTM | + 09:36 |
3 | DABROWSKI Konrad | 26 | POL | Duust Rally Team | KTM | + 26:40 |
4 | BARBOSA Ruy | 41 | CHI | HT Rally Raid | Honda | + 01:35:02 |
5 | VENTURA Martim | 84 | POR | Honda HRC | Honda | + 01:37:24 |
6 | JUCIUS Nerimantas | 28 | LTU | HT Rally Raid | Honda | + 01:49:46 |
7 | ERDENEBILEG Khaliunbold | 57 | MNG | BAS World KTM Racing Team | KTM | + 01:56:51 |
8 | SANTOS Bruno | 35 | POR | BS FRUTAS PATRICIA PILAR | Husqvarna | + 02:18:25 |
9 | LLEDÓ Arnau | SPA | Pedrega Team | KTM | + 02:44:57 | |
10 | ENGEL Milan | 21 | CZE | Moto Racing Group - MRG | KTM | + 02:57:25 |
