Al-Attiyah on the way to victory, ten Brinke and Villagra out in stage 13 19.01.2018: DAKAR RALLY 2018 Stage 13 from San Juan to Cordoba 927 kilometres of which 368 are competitive Friday, January 19th 2018 19:12 Al-Attiyah closes in on victory

DAKAR RALLY 2018
Stage 13 from San Juan to Cordoba
927 kilometres of which 368 are competitive
Friday, January 19th  2018




19:12 Al-Attiyah closes in on victory

Nasser Al-Attiyah now boasts a lead of 11 minutes over Lucio Alvarez at CP1. Nothing seems to be able to stop the Toyota driver who is heading for his second consecutive stage victory. Giniel is third, 11’30’’ behind the Qatari, while Carlos Sainz is not taking any risks and trails the stage leader by 15’34’’.



18:45 Peterhansel almost one hour behind


Stéphane Peterhansel has completed 616 km of the special. The Frenchman, who was second in the general standings this morning, is performing equally to Nasser Al-Attiyah on the second part of the stage after having received help from his assistance team during the neutralised zone, but will be powerless to prevent the Qatari from taking second place in the general standings from him this evening.



18:27 González keeps the gap steady


Jeremias González Ferioli is dreaming of a win in his native country. The Yamaha rider still leads Nelson Sanabria Galeano by slightly more than one minute at CP1. Ignacio Casale occupies third place, 3’15’’ behind the stage leader.



18:08 Federico Villagra is out!


Yet another dramatic turn of events the day before the finish of the Dakar: Federico Villagra, the second placed driver in the truck category general standings, who was only one second behind the leader this morning, has dropped out of the rally. Exiting due to a mechanical problem is a cruel way to finish for the Argentinean, who had driven a splendid Dakar up to this point.




17:54 It's all over for Bernhard ten Brinke!


The leader at the start of the second part of the stage, Berhard ten Brinke has suffered mechanical problems with his Toyota after 570 km of the special. The Dutchman and his French co-pilot Michel Perrin have tried everything in a bid to repair for the last 45 minutes but have finally decided to give up, meaning the virtual third placed driver in the general standings exits Dakar the day before the finish!



17:42 Meo gains a place

Antoine Meo has been in great form during the second week of the Dakar and has again ridden an excellent stage which he has finished in third place, just 2’44’’ behind Toby Price. The Frenchman’s fine performance has especially allowed him to gain a place in the general standings, taking fourth from Gerard Farrés.




17:33 González takes the lead

Jeremias González Ferioli grabbed his first stage win on stage six and looks keen on adding another to his roll of honour, especially in his home country. The Argentinean has reached WP6 with a lead of 33 seconds over Nelson Sanabria and 1’24’’ over Ignacio Casale.




17:16 Walkner in control


Matthias Walkner has finished the penultimate stage of the Dakar. With caution as the watchword, the official KTM rider has not tempted fate and has made sure he finished, 11’32’’ behind the winner. Tomorrow, he will have a lead of more than 20 minutes which should enable him to obtain his first overall triumph on the Dakar…




17:11 The cars resume the special

Nasser Al-Attiyah has started the second part of the special, ten minutes before Bernhard ten Brinke. The two Toyota team-mates seem set to battle it out for the stage victory today.


 

- ASO   photo Red Bull, Willy Weyens, KTM photosDakar.com