Alonso second on Dakar stage eight

Two-time Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso recorded his best result of the Dakar Rally on Monday, finishing second behind Frenchman Mathieu Serradori on stage eight.

The stage was shrouded in mourning after the death on Sunday of Portuguese rider Paulo Goncalves.

The motorbike and quadbike categories were cancelled for the stage, a 477km loop incorporating straight sections with several chains of dunes to test handling skills.

"I'd like to dedicate this victory to Paulo because I'm a former biker," said Serradori, an amateur who drives an SRT.

"It's not easy to get motivated after a day like that and my co-pilot Fabien was there as well. But there are two fighters in the car and I'm very happy with this result."
- Limited ambitions -
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"But after today, obviously when you are second maybe there is a chance, so we will try."
"I'm not coming from the dunes at all but it seems that I can get a good rhythm and a good flow in the dunes and I'm enjoying so far this second week of the Dakar."