The 2025 Dakar Rally completed stage eight today and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Luciano Benavides took the stage win over Monster Energy Honda HRC Rally's Adrien Van Beveren who was only 2:08 behind. Honda's Tosha Schareina finished third 2:14 off the lead and right behind AVB

Benavides and Van Beveren were awarded time back after stopping to assist Honda Rider Pablo Quintanilla who had a big crash on the day. Quintanilla exited the rally, his 13th attempt at Dakar.

In the general rankings, KTM's Daniel Sanders continues his dominance of the top spot, now with an 11-minute cushion to second-place Schareina and 20+ minutes back to Van Beveren in third. Knocking on the podium door is Luciano Benavides, who made some time today, but is still ten minutes off the podium. Nearly tied with Benavides in fifth overall is American defending Dakar winner Ricky Brabec. The next two days will be key if either of these two Dakar winners want to see an overall podium finish at the end of the week.

Today we call America Dakar pioneer Jimmy Lewis as he traverses Mexican roads to get his take on the race, technology, rally history and more. Don't miss it.

Thanks and we'll see you tomorrow!

Follow and communicate with us via Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dakar\_rally\_daily/

And leave comments on Cycle News YouTube coverage: 

https://www.youtube.com/@cyclenews

Cycle News official race results coverage:

https://www.cyclenews.com/2025/01/article/2025-dakar-rally-results/

Visit our partners

KLIM

Rally Navigator

The Baja Rally

Motominded

NORRA Mexican 1000

Doubletake Mirror

High Desert Adventures

Slick Off-Road Wash

Dakar Rally Daily is produced and edited by Jesse Ziegler, and hosted by Quinn Cody and Jesse Ziegler.