Best Odds Center
best odds centre button
Click here!
Sport TV
watch live tv button
Click here!
to watch
Live FootBall
NPFL
Click here!
Live Scores
play watch Live Score button
Click here!

Saood Variawa Leads South African One-Two in Dakar Rally Stage Eight

Posted : 13 January 2026

Saood Variawa spearheaded a South African one-two finish in the eighth stage of the Dakar Rally on Monday, edging out Toyota teammate Henk Lategan in a thrilling contest. The 483-kilometre loop in Wadi Ad Dawasir was completed by Variawa in four hours, 20 minutes, and 35 seconds—just three seconds ahead of Lategan.

Swedish driver Mattias Ekstrom claimed third place in his Ford, finishing 29 seconds behind the stage winner. Variawa credited precise navigation and calculated risk-taking for his success. “The car was perfect on a very long stage, where it was difficult to maintain the pace,” he said. “In the dunes, we navigated well while many others got lost. At times we went our own way, and that made the difference. We pushed and overtook other cars despite the challenges in the dust.”

Five-time Dakar champion Nasser Al-Attiyah ended the day in fifth position in his Dacia, but the Qatari driver maintained a four-minute advantage in the overall standings over Ekstrom. Veteran Sebastien Loeb, who finished eighth, described the stage as demanding yet enjoyable. “It was a nice and fast stage with a bit of everything—dunes, fast tracks. Driving it was pretty enjoyable, though 480 kilometres is a lot,” Loeb said.

In the motorcycle category, Argentine rider Luciano Benavides secured his second consecutive stage win, finishing 4 minutes and 50 seconds ahead of KTM teammate Daniel Sanders. Benavides now leads the motorbike standings by a slim 10-second margin over the Australian.

The Dakar Rally continues to test both drivers and riders with its mix of dunes, high-speed tracks, and strategic navigation, as the race heads into its crucial final stages.

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics

close button
Please fill captcha :