The nine-time WRC champion and three-time runner-up in the Dakar rally, Sebastian Loeb, achieved his first stage victory in this Dakar taking advantage of his high starting position, twenty three. He placed 1’08” on Al Rajhi, 1’22” on his teammate Al Attiyah, 4’58” on Carlos Sainz, 5’21” on De Mevius and 5’59” on Peterhansel, the top-6 of stage.
All in all Rajhi He consolidated his lead today to 4’19” with Carlos Sainz. Al Attiyah, who led the day until the last stage, gained two positions in the general classification and third in 11’03”. The other three were promoted by his BRX teammate Loeb after his 24th partial Dakar victory. Now he is sixth, 23’50” behind Al Rajhi. All is not lost in Dakar for the legendary Loeb after giving up a minute in the previous stage (23’41”) and who finished only second in the last two editions.
Carlos Sainz’s annoyance
“It has not been a good stage. We caught Romain Dumas, but for some reason it took a while before he got out. We also had a puncture. Even if it was less time, it would have been better,” he explained, a little angry at the finish line. Carlos Sainz after the blocking in which another legendary and veteran, now behind the wheel of a Toyota, subjected him.
Until PK 188 he only surrendered a minute about Al Attiyah, and it was in the next one (PK 229) that Sainz was 4’14” behind the Qatari, losing more than three minutes in just of 41 kilometers which burdened him. despite his recovery in the last part.
El Matador passed this stage without technical problems, in theory calm for the favorites, but he was annoyed by this important time lost in front of the general classification. From being second went 29″ after losing the lead the day before to being 4’19” behind the Saudi who flew this stage with the Toyota.
After finishing on three wheels and his team organized at full speed on Monday in two hours allowed to attend this semi-marathon Nasser Al-Attiyah He has a clean platform and it seems that he will go to the stage of victory, with the consent of Loeb who, from behind, intervenes in the Arab conflict. However, in the last 36 kilometers Al Rajhi overtook the Qatari at the finish line by just 12 seconds – he was ahead by 1’46” in this mini section.
Laia Sanz’s best stage in cars, 14th
Excellent phase for both Nani Roma and Laia Sanz from less to more. In Ford, the one from Folgueroles reached the finish line 13th in 14’37” and he added two more minutes due to a penalty. In Astara, the one from Corbera de Llobregat achieved his best classification in one stage of the Dakar in cars, 14th in 16’38” improving the 16th he achieved in the second stage. In the general classification they rose to 15th and 17th place, respectively.
After a transition stage of only 118 kilometers of the special this Wednesday, both Thursday and Friday the big favorites will fight for a large part of their general classification options in the ’48 hour chrono’ entering the Empty Quarter .
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
