Benavides Wins Dakar Stage 8, Takes Overall Lead; Schareina's Title Hopes End

Edgar Canet claimed seventh place in stage 8 of the Dakar Rally on Monday, delivering a measured performance ahead of the marathon stages, while Tosha Schareina's title bid ended definitively after dropping to 20 minutes behind the new leader.

Luciano Benavides dominated the day's special, opening the track to secure the stage win and take the overall lead with key bonuses, reshaping the motorcycle standings. Schareina lost 9 minutes and 47 seconds to the winner, slipping to fourth overall at 20 minutes back— a gap deemed insurmountable with three riders ahead and the rally's toughest section looming. The Valencian rider, who entered the second week with slim mathematical chances, now faces an irreversible deficit.

Canet, the young Catalan based in Andorra, finished seventh, 15 minutes and 6 seconds off the pace, prioritizing reliability over risks to earn a strong starting position for stage 9. Already out of general contention, he continues to demonstrate composure on demanding terrain.

Adrien Van Beveren posted another solid result, crossing fifth in 4 hours, 38 minutes and 35 seconds—11 minutes and 56 seconds behind Benavides. This keeps him seventh overall, 1 hour, 3 minutes and 13 seconds from the lead.

In cars, Guillaume de Mévius and Andorra-based co-driver Mathieu Baumel shone with a seventh-place finish, clocking 4 hours, 22 minutes and 35 seconds—just 2 minutes off the winners—despite holding 32nd overall at 6 hours, 18 minutes and 10 seconds back. Cristina Gutiérrez endured a tougher day, placing 26th, 21 minutes and 28 seconds behind the fastest car, dropping her general gap to 59 minutes and 46 seconds while remaining 14th.

This follows Canet's standout second in Sunday's stage 7, where he trailed winner Benavides by 4 minutes and 47 seconds, and Schareina lost 8 minutes and 45 seconds to fall 15 minutes and 6 seconds behind then-leader Daniel Sanders. Van Beveren took third that day, 4 minutes and 57 seconds off, as Gutiérrez stayed 14th at 39 minutes and 34 seconds back after finishing 13 minutes and 13 seconds behind the car pace.

Stage 9 launches the double marathon phase without mechanical assistance, testing endurance across extreme terrain for Andorra's riders.