Dakar 2024 regionals: Aveyron native Loïc Minaudier takes a podium, Lozerian Martin Bonnet very close to victory

À bord de leur Century, Mathieu Serradori et Loïc Minaudier se sont invités parmi les meilleurs équipages. Frédéric Le Floc'h – FREDERIC LE FLOC H

Les régionaux du Dakar 2024 se sont une nouvelle fois mis en évidence, ce mardi 16 janvier, avec plusieurs pilotes et copilotes parmi les premières places. 

Mathieu Serradori and Loïc Minaudier are indeed the stone in the shoe of the top car teams. The Var driver and his Aveyron co-pilot took third place in stage 9 behind Sébastien Loeb and Carlos Sainz on Tuesday.

The Century CR6 thus signs its best result of the edition and makes a lasting impression. Having moved up to sixth place in the general classification, the two men are also a notch above their opponents in the two-wheel drive category. They undoubtedly signed one of the most notable performances of the year. They must now hold on to the 1,000 kilometers of special still to be covered.

Dumas elbowed, group shot from the Metge brothers 

The Cévenol Romain Dumas also jostled in the top-10 between Hail and AlUla (9th), while the co-driver from Bagnolais Valentin Sarreaud reached the finish despite gearbox problems (17th).

Among the SSV, the Lozerian Martin Bonnet and his pilot Xavier de Soultrait are getting closer to the final victory after another good day: 2nd place in the stage, 28 minutes behind ;advance on the second crew in the general table.

The Metge brothers finished in the top-5, Michael 4th and Adrien 5th. The Aveyronnais Florent Vayssade and Nicolas Rey follow the train in 6th row.

Bodies and minds are starting to get tired and this is particularly felt among bikers. Millau driver Vincent Biau validates one more day. The arrival arch begins to take shape in the distance, even if the road is still long. D-3!

Regional results

Auto Ultimate: Serradori – Minaudier (Century) 3rd, Dumas – Delfino (Rebellion) 9th, Lavieille – Sarreaud (MD) 17th, Bergounhe – Costes (MD) 54e

Auto SSV: De Soultrait – Bonnet (Loeb – Bardahl) 2nd, De Sadeleer – M. Metge (MMP) 4th, Seaidan – A . Metge (MMP) 5th, Vayssade – Rey (Loeb – Bardahl) 6th

Classic : Guy – Mauduit (South Cape) 30th

Moto Rally2: Biau (VB x KRAY&Co) 74th