Dakar 2023, stage 9: Loeb, wins and sneaks on the podium; Sainz is fighting back

Sébastien Loeb said goodbye to all his Dakar Rally options at the start, on stage 2, when he blew three tires and had to return to the bivouac with an hour and a half to go. Everyone considered his career over. He will have the option of saving his honor in search of victories on the stage. However, with 5 days left in the Dakar, Sébastien Loeb managed to climb into the podium positions behind the wheel of his BRX team Hunter in a stage 9 marked by Carlos Sainz’s accident at kilometer 6 and the problems of finishing second overall, Henk Lategan , who is now 4th overall just 3 minutes behind Loeb.

The French rider won stage 4, stage 8, and on stage 9 this Tuesday he won his third special victory so far in Dakar 2023. And Sébastien didn’t start the day well, arriving late at the ‘check point’ for the start of the morning connection. when it happens Outside of the special, it didn’t require a penalty in the final hour of stage 9, although it did carry a total of 2’10” penalties. Loeb couldn’t sleep again…

The Alsatian, 9 times world rally champion, he beat Zala by 3’07”, Chicherit by 4’08” and Przygonski by 8′ 33″, guided by Catalan navigator Armand Monleón. He is also Catalan Dani Oliveras, Yacopini’s co-driver, is 21 minutes behind the winner but continues as the best Spaniard in contention with a creditable 9th position in a general where Al-Attiyah continues to lead without breaking a sweat .

The Qatari once again managed his advantage, avoiding any problems and riding without the slightest risk. He was 7th at 8′ 58” and this helped him to increase his overall advantage with respect to second due to the mechanical problems he suffered whiplashuntil now 2nd classified. Henk stop at kilometer 18, ie Moraes I climbed to 2nd place, 1 hour 21′ 57” from a Al Attiyah who every day has a little ‘Touareg’ in his hands. He will go for his fifth crown without messing up his hair.

Now, the excitement is in the fight for the second and third positions. Moraes he only has a 22 minute advantage sebastien Loeb and in turn, the French need it whiplash stuck in fourth position, just 3 minutes behind. The fight for the podium is on fire.

Sainz capsized, got in a helicopter… and sent him back!

Carlos Sainz once again showed his pride and unique race with an unprecedented decision. The Spanish pilot rolled over at kilometer 5 after a bad landing in the fall of a dune. He was able to get the vehicle back on four wheels with the help of several bystanders, but finally decided not to wait for the truck and took a helicopter because of the pain he was suffering. But then everyone was surprised. When he was on his way to the hospital by helicopter, he asked to get back in his car to try to continue on stage. He did this and waited for the relief truck to repair the damage to the car and try to reach the end of the stage in time (we will update the information),

Carlos Checa and Laia Sanz embroidered it: 16th and 17th

Carlos Checa continues to grow rapidly with its two-wheel-drive team Astara at the end of the 16th. The rider from Sant Fruitós de Bages was 21′ 29” behind the day’s best and moved up to an excellent 16th place overall, a dream result with 5 stages to go.

Laia Sanz He signed a very good day, this time finally no problem with his car. This allows him to go at a good pace for most of the day and Maurizio Gerini he did a great job in a tricky navigation area. Laia he was just a little behind, a blow from a stone broke his glass. Because of that he slowed down at the end of the day but managed to finish his best result in a stage by car: 17th, improving on the 20th stage position he also achieved in this Dakar. the one of Corbera de Llobregat (Astara Team) finished 22′ 31” behind the day’s winner, Loeb.