The Arequipa bivouac welcomed back the 2019 Dakar Rally convoy today after a gruelling two-day marathon stage. Competitors across all five categories were left to fend for themselves last night before embarking on this perilous fifth stage. Those making it to the finish line today have earned themselves a Rest Day before the rally’s second week points them back towards Lima.
Sébastien Loeb (FRA) and co-driver Daniel Elena (MON) finished their first week at the 2019 Dakar on a high with a stage win – their second of the race so far. It’s not all been plain sailing for nine-time WRC champion Loeb in the first five stages, but he can enjoy his Rest Day with the podium positions within reach.
“We pushed really hard from the start to the end of the stage, with no mistakes, no punctures, nothing. We had a perfect day.” – Sébastien Loeb
It was advantage to Nasser Al-Attiyah (QAT) at the very front of the car race on the trip back to Arequipa as he stretched his advantage over Stéphane Peterhansel (FRA). Two-time Dakar winner Al-Attiyah holds a 25 minute lead over 13-time Dakar winner Peterhansel at the halfway point.
“Seb (Loeb) doesn’t have anything to lose. He needed to go at it, to push and to get back the time. From my side, I need to focus on Stéphane (Peterhansel), because Stéphane will be the danger man here on the Dakar.” – Nasser Al-Attiyah
There was a stage win for Red Bull KTM Factory Team rider Sam Sunderland (GBR) in the bike race. The 2017 Dakar winner was given back the 10 minutes he spent on the track assisting Paulo Gonçalves (POR) who suffered a race ending accident on today’s stage.
“The first thing to do is give a shout to (Paulo) Gonçalves, it’s a bummer for him. In these kind of moments the race is second.” – Sam Sunderland
Xavier de Soultrait (FRA) was the day’s second fastest biker with Sunderland’s KTM team-mate Matthias Walkner (AUT) third on the stage.
“My ankle is painful, but when the adrenaline takes over on the stage I don’t really notice it.” – Matthias Walkner
Grouped together in the Top 10 on a bike stage from Moquegua to Arequipa were Luciano Benavides (ARG), Stefan Svitko (SVK) and Toby Price (AUS).
“We started in groups of 10 today in rocks, fesh-fesh and dust, that was all a bit crazy. It was so hard to keep an eye on the navigation while trying not to get caught out by anything hidden in the ground.” – Toby Price
As well as the retirement of Gonçalves, the Dakar also ended prematurely for CS Santosh (IND)on stage five after the Hero rider came off his bike. Santosh was transferred from the stage to hospital in Tacna.
Team Kamaz Master drivers Eduard Nikolaev (RUS), Andrey Karginov (RUS) and Dmitry Sotnikov (RUS) all took turns to lead the fifth stage, with Nikolaev eventually crossing the line first. Their performance today further consolidated the trio’s position at the front of the race to put Kamaz on course for a ninth Dakar win in 11 years.
In the SxS/UTV category it has been a baptism of fire for both Chaleco Lopez (CHI) and Ignacio Casale (CHI). Both Chilean pilots are making their debut in the Dakar’s newest division and have reached the Rest Day in the Top 10. They’ll both be hoping to climb up the leaderboard during the second week of competition.
Tomorrow brings with it a much needed Rest Day for the competitors as their vehicles are handed over to the mechanics for a comprehensive tune up. Expect battle plans for the final five stages to be drawn up in Arequipa by those still in with a shot at Dakar glory.
Source: Red Bull Content Pool
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