GasGas rider Sam Sunderland was back in charge overall after a strong stage eight as the final week of Dakar action unfolded,

Tech3 KTM’s Danilo Petrucci was running in the top ten as Monday’s 395km route drew towards its conclusion before a navigation error saw him forced to double back. The mistake cost him eleven minutes and his top ten position, with the Italian eventually finding the finish in 25th, however, he remains upbeat about his performance so far.

Sunderland was in control from the off as the final week counted down, crossing the line just under three minutes ahead of his closest rival and 23 minutes clear of Petrucci. The Brit also increased his overall lead to 3’45 over Red Bull KTM’s Matthias Walkner with four days left to complete.

“I’m happy to get to the finish as it was a very, very long day today,” Petrucci said on Monday afternoon. “From the start I tried to find a good solid rhythm and then attack when it was safe to do so. I was really pleased with my navigation but just towards the end, I found myself in the wrong canyon and I had to turn around to get back on track. It’s frustrating, but it also means I have a strong starting position for tomorrow.

“I was pushing hard today,” he explained further on social media. “I was fighting in the top ten but at 337kms I started to make compliments to myself. I started to say ‘Danilo, you are riding so well, come on, don’t get lost, your navigation is so good.’ After 30kms I got lost!  

“I lost eleven minutes…from 10th place to 25th. But we don’t f***ing care if we get lost, the important thing is to come back home. It’s ok, at the end eleven minutes in a lifetime is really a short time.”