Stage 8 of the Dakar 2025, spanning 733 km with 487 km of special stages, took the riders from Al-Duwadimi to Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.
Riyadh Province, with its vast expanse and central position in Saudi Arabia, hosted a challenging special south of the capital. The stage featured stunning stretches of dunes that tested the skills of riders, offering a prelude to the Empty Quarter's extreme challenges. It demanded maximum concentration, both in riding and navigation. Riders had to navigate off-track between hills with precision while dealing with a maze of rolling tracks.
Rui Gonçalves put in a solid performance, finishing 10th, 15 minutes behind the stage leader. Unfortunately, Lorenzo Santolino encountered a racing incident, losing over an hour and finishing 52nd.
In the provisional standings, Gonçalves climbs to 11th place, while Santolino drops to 12th.
Rui Gonçalves: "I’m happy with this 10th position today! We had a bit of everything: fast sections, technical parts, rocks, sand, and dunes. I rode for a long time with Santolino and Brabec and managed to keep a good pace throughout the stage. I felt great and completely confident on the bike. Our team is doing an excellent job, and I want to thank them, as well as everyone who continues to support me."
Source: Sherco
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