Sunderland bounces back in style while Loeb loses 28 minutes to race leaders.
Stage seven saw the remaining competitors take on the first loop stage of the race. The riders and drivers went full throttle on a 323km special stage around San Juan de Marcona. Here is all you need to know:
- After a disappointing day on Sunday when he lost time due to a damaged brake, 2017 bike champion Sam Sunderland bounced back in style to land his second victory of the race.
- The start was delayed 30 minutes due to fog, but when they got underway it was American Ricky Brabec who set the early pace, with Sunderland hanging with him for the first 100km. The British rider then upped his form and dominated the remainder of the day to finish nearly two minutes ahead
of Jose Ignacio Cornejo and six and-a-half minutes ahead of new race leader Brabec. It is tight at the top, with five riders within 10 minutes of each other.
- Sunderland said: “Yesterday I was disappointed because I felt that I rode well and my navigation was good. I started out today with the intention to push a lot. I was going well, but I lost a few minutes at one waypoint. That was frustrating, but I got back on track I feel pretty good.”
- In the car race, the day belonged to 13-time winner Stéphane Peterhansel. The Frenchman came out on top of an exciting duel with Nani Roma with the lead exchanging hands multiple times before Peterhansel shook his rival off after 200km.
