Yamaha rider is now 11th in the Rally GP Ranking
After a well-deserved rest day in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, António Maio resumed the competition today, contesting the 7th stage that linked Riyadh to Al Duwadimi over a distance of 873 kilometers. Despite a fall that damaged his Road Book, the stage had a very positive sporting outcome, as the Yamaha rider, who had entered the coveted Top 20 in the previous stage, climbed three places to 17th in the overall standings and 11th in the GP Rally Ranking.
"Today's stage went very well at the start, even though I got lost at km 20, but then I found a good, safe rhythm. Later, around km 230, I had a small fall where the worst thing was that I broke the Road-Book, which stopped working. In the neutralization I got the bike more or less straightened out, but without the Road Book working and having to turn it by hand, I just had to try to get to the end without making any mistakes. It was a shame because it was a very tough and demanding stage, but I was doing well. That's how races go, but it was nothing serious and Bruno has fixed everything," said António Maio directly from the bivouac in Al Duwadimi.
The next stage links Al Duwadimi to Saudar and will have a selective sector of 458 kilometers. It will be a day of strong contrasts and a little easier than the previous stages. The special starts from the center towards the north of the country on another sandy trek, but without too much difficulty. The marked change of scenery will remind competitors of the need to remain on their toes, as the sand will give way to rocks, creating very rough terrain.
Automatic translation of the Portuguese version available on www.todoterreno.pt
Source: Antonio Maio's official press release
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