The Chilean pilot Francisco ‘Chaleco’ López on Monday climbed to the lead of the general classification in the Side by Side (SSV) category of the Dakar rally 2021, after finishing the second stage of the demanding nut race in third place.

Together with his co-driver Juan Pablo Latrach, López achieved a time in the 457 kilometers of special, between Bisha and Wadi Ad-Dawasir, of 5 hours, 07 minutes and 50 seconds.

The national athlete, third in the 2020 edition and champion in 2019 in this category, was 2 minutes and 43 seconds behind the winner, the Saudi Saleh alsaif.

“It was a pretty long day. You do not have to take accounts, there are still 10 days of the race. At the moment we are fine, happy and focused on what will be tomorrow ”, declared López after the race.

On aggregate, ‘Chaleco’ leads the record with a total time of 8 hours, 58 minutes and 13 seconds, with an advantage of only 39 seconds over his closest pursuer in the general, the Pole Aron domzala.

The third stage of the Dakar will take place this Tuesday in the Wadi Ad-Dawasir desert, with 227 kilometers of connection and 403 of special.