TRUCK News from Dakar stage 4 08.01.2013: Dakar Rally 2013 - Argentina/Chile 1st start (GMT-5) : 5:45 AM 13:32 - truck 505 - Mardeev takes advantage

Dakar Rally 2013 - Argentina/Chile
1st start (GMT-5) : 5:45 AM




15:02 - truck
505 - Kamaz at the double in Arequipa!

On completion of this fourth stage, the Russian armada benefited from the problems of the general standings leaders. Ayrat Mardeev (RUS/Kamaz) won with a time of 4:04'59" whilst Andrey Karginov (RUS/Kamaz) came second 3'33" behind.


The third place went to the Iveco driven by Hans Stacey, 6'22" behind the day's winner. Fourth placed Eduard Nikolaev (RUS/Kamaz) trailed his team-mate by 10'51" at the finishing line.


 Yesterday's leaders, Ales Loprais and Gérad De Rooy had less fortunate experiences and finished 18'28" and 26'23" respectively behind Mardeev.




13:32 - truck
505 - Mardeev takes advantage

At the 173-km point, Kamaz driver Ayrat Mardeev seems to be taking advantage of the problems those in front of him are experiencing, namely Miki Biansion, Gérard De Rooy and Eduard Nikolaev, who have all stopped during the special.

Mardeev leads Hans Stacey (Iveco) by 6'13", Andrey Karginov (Kamaz) by 7'02" and Ales Loprais (Tatra) by 12'40". Eduard Nikolaev and Gerard De Rooy are currently in fifth and sixth place.



13:17 - truck
500 - Stop and go for De Rooy

The leader of the truck race, Gerard De Rooy, stopped for several minutes before setting off again. He should still be in the lead in the truck category on this stage, however.



12:50 - truck
501 - A long stop for Nikolaev

The Russian at the wheel of the no. 501 Kamaz stopped for a long time, almost 15 minutes, 148.8 kilometres into today's special. He was leading the provisional classification at the first checkpoint (km 105), but now he's probably fallen behind... Gerard de Rooy. We'll know for sure at km 173...



12:04 - truck
501 - Nikolaev leads after 105 km

The Russian Kamaz driver Eduard Nikolaev leads the truck special stage ahead of Gerard De Rooy after 105 km, with 6'56" separating the two men. The first time-check point, like for the other categories, is situated after 173 km (CP1).



11:47 - truck
507 - Biasion on the move again

The Iveco driver has set off again after having lost around twenty minutes in a zone on the special stage where a good number of competitors are at a standstill, probably stuck in the sand.



11:27 - truck
507 - Biasion at a standstill

For almost half an hour, the former world rally champion from Italy has been at a standstill after 46 km of the special stage. Yesterday, he was in third place in the general standings.



10:08 - truck
Now for the heavies...

The behemoths of the Dakar are beginning to start the special stage, with the Iveco Petronas driven by Gerard De Rooy at the forefront. He is currently the man to beat in the category, even if he only has a reasonable lead over the Tatra belonging to Ales Loprais.

The Kamaz team's Eduard Nikolaev, second yesterday, could again muscle in on the final places between De Rooy and his Italian team-mate Miki Biasion who will be starting third.



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