Stage 7 of the 2021 Dakar was particularly good for Harith Noah, with the TVS racing-sponsored privateer making up multiple spots in the overall rankings, and this trend has continued during the day’s (Stage 8) proceedings. Now, though Harith actually dropped four spots in the particular stage’s rakings over the 709km (including the 375km special) traverse to Neom, his setting a commendable 03:44:47 hours’ time earned him a spot, with him closing the day at P32 (up from P33 in Stage 7).
Harith achievement is made all the more sweeter, as Stage 8 was the second part of the marathon stage, with the riders tackling a conventionally tricky stage full of sand dunes, loose soil and rocky sections. Hence, to come out of it not only safely but also to advance in the standings is a feat in itself.
Stage 9 now takes competitors on a 574km circuit (including a 465km special) around Neom, with the action set to start with a ramble along the Red Sea shorefront. From then on, the proceedings will continue onto a series of sandy yet fast tracks, with the stage’s length and complexity requiring both bike control as well as overall strategy, placing it among the toughest so far.