STARTED THE MOST DECISIVE HALF OF THE RACE - STAGE 7 - 9TH JANUARY 2022

The second week of the 44th edition of the Dakar Rally started with the seventh stage, from Riyadh to Al Dawadimi, with a demanding route of 402 kilometres of special stage and 299 kilometres of liaison. The race has left the northern zone and headed south, where temperatures have started to rise and have helped the riders to stop suffering so much from the cold.

After the rest day, the members of the Rieju Team went all out to face the most decisive half of the race. The day had a bit of everything: more dunes than in previous stages, fast zones, rocks and complicated navigation.

In the motorcycle category, Joan Pedrero finished the tough special stage in 21st place and Daniel Nosiglia finished in the top 25. Pato Cabrera had a solid stage in which he was 39th, while Marc Calmet finished 51st. Regarding the overall standings, the Rieju riders remain 22nd, 19th, 44th and 60th respectively.

Joan Pedrero #17: “I got lost very little. At the 60th kilometre I had a problem at the hairpin, and it was a bit difficult to get into a rhythm. I pushed hard in the last part, and I'm happy with the pace".

Pato Cabrera #50: "Today was a very long, physical stage. I felt very good all the way. I went at a steady pace, I was able to navigate well, and the bike behaved impeccably".