Last news from Dakar shortened stage 9 12.01.2016: Dakar Rally 2016 January 12th - stage 9 - 285km Belen to Belen

Dakar Rally 2016
January 12th - stage 9 - 285km
Belen to Belen



12:48 : Cars: a comeback from Sainz for victory

With the best time at CP2, Carlos Sainz has won another stage, his 29th in all, for the Peugeot team. The Spaniard has saved the day for the French team which seemed to be heading for a tough day at CP1. However, like yesterday, Sainz managed to find the will and power to inverse the trend on the stage.


Only ten seconds behind him, Erik Van Loon (Mini) achieves a surprising result, with Mikko Hirvonen (Mini) 17 seconds behind the Spaniard. Stéphane Peterhansel, who finished 9’12’’ behind his Iberian team-mate, loses the command of the general standings to Sainz, with Carlos now leading the Frenchman by 7’03’’.


11:47 : Trucks: De Rooy opens a gap at CP1

Gérard de Rooy looks well set to pick up another stage victory today. At the first check point, the Dutch Iveco driver already leads Karginov by 13’57’’ and Nikolaev by 17’39’’.



11:31 : The race is stopped at CP2

Today’s stage was expected to be difficult given the profile of the special. The dunes around Fiambala and the hot temperatures promised a tricky day for the competitors.


These concerns soon proved to be true and, in light of the high number of competitors already in difficulty, in particular in the bike category, the race management have taken a logical decision. In order to guarantee maximum safety to the entire field, the race will finish at CP2.



11:27 : Cars: same again for Al Attiyah at CP1

Like yesterday, Nasser Al Attiyah (Mini) is in his element on this special mixing navigation and crossing of dunes. The Qatari leads by 10 seconds over Leeroy Poulter (Toyota), 27’’ over Hirvonen (Mini) and 53’’ over Terranova (Mini). Cyril Despres, still the quickest of the Peugeot drivers, trails by 56’’. Just behind him are Sébastien Loeb, 1’35’’ from the stage leader, and Stéphane Peterhansel 1’54’’ behind Al Attiyah.



10:44 : Cars: Peugeot dominated

A major surprise in the car category at Way Point 1 and in more ways than one: Orlando Terranova (Mini) has been credited with the best time ahead of Leeroy Poulter (Toyota), 31 seconds behind.


The most surprising fact in the provisional standings on the stage is that the Peugeots are being dominated by an armada of Minis.


Cyril Despres, the quickest of the DKRs, is in fifth place, 1’01’’ behind the stage leader, Stéphane Peterhansel lies in eighth, 2’38’’ behind Terranova and Carlos Sainz occupies ninth place, 3’50’’ of the lead!!!



10:24 : Bikes: a demonstration by Price!

At Way Point 4, Toby Price (KTM) has confirmed his stranglehold on the stage. He now leads Kevin Benavides (Honda) by 7’10’’ sur Kevin Benavides and Stefan Svitko (KTM) by more than 10 minutes. As for Paulo Gonçalves, he is still stuck at CP2.



10:21 : Quads: Baragwanath leads at CP1

The South African rider has decided to raise the pace. At CP1, he leads the two Patronelli brothers by 4’09’’ (Alejandro) and 4’57’’ (Marcos). Trailing by 1:39’38’’ in the general standings, Baragwanath is not a major threat for the Argentinean duo.


10:19 : Bikes: radiator problem for Gonçalves at CP2

Will Paulo Gonçalves be able to finish the day’s special? The Honda team leader is still at a standstill at CP2 due to radiator problems.




10:16 : Bikes: it’s all over for Klymciw

The Czech rider, 20th last year, has crashed and fallen on the special. Occupying 25th place in the general standings, the Husqvarna rider is receiving assistance from the medical team.



09:55 : Bikes: Gonçalves stops at CP2

The situation appears to be increasingly complicated for Paulo Gonçalves (Honda). The Portuguese rider, after having lost a fairly significant amount of time on the first part of the special to Price (KTM), has come to a standstill near CP2.


09:52 : Bikes: Price at CP2

Toby Price (KTM) has just reached CP2. Evidently, the Australian has not encountered any difficulties on the two portions of dunes and has even increased the gap over the rest of the field.



09:35 : Quads: the Patronelli brothers on the move

Like yesterday, the two Patronelli brothers seem set to enjoy another good day. Marcos and Alejandro are leading the rest of the field at Way Point 1. Third on Monday’s stage, South African Brian Baragwanath is currently in third, 2’07’’ behind the stage leader.



09:08 : Bikes: Michael Metge picks up the pace

Hindered throughout yesterday by electrical problems before reaching the bivouac after night fall, Michael Metge (Honda) is doing better today. He is in 11th place at CP1, a performance which is more in keeping with the talent of Paulo Gonçalves’ water carrier.



09:05 : Cars: Al Attiyah kicks off the car special

Yesterday’s winner Nasser Al Attiyah (Mini) has just started the day’s special. On Monday evening, at the finish the Qatari promised to do his utmost to catch the Peugeots in the general standings over the next two days. Right now, he is at the foot of his first metaphorical mountain to climb.


09:04 : Cars: Al  Attiyah kicks off the car special

Yesterday’s winner Nasser Al Attiyah (Mini) has just started the day’s special. On Monday evening, at the finish the Qatari promised to do his utmost to catch the Peugeots in the general standings over the next two days. Right now, he is at the foot of his first metaphorical mountain to climb.



09:00 : Bikes: cautious start for Meo

Antoine Meo, the leading French rider and 6th in the general standings, seems to be riding at a slower pace than his team leader Toby Price. In fact, Meo is in provisional sixth place at CP1, already 6’30’’ behind his KTM team-mate.



08:37 : Bikes: the gaps open up at CP1

Toby Price (KTM) is landing a sledgehammer blow on his rivals at the start of this special. At CP1, he already leads Stefan Svitko (KTM) by 2’58’’, Paulo Goncalves (Honda) by 3’02’’ and Pablo Quintanilla (Husqvarna) by 5’49’’. Visibly, having to open the way does not appear to hinder the Australian, so far…



08:33 : Bikes: Gonçalves 3’02 behind at CP1!!!

At the first CP on stage 9, Paulo Gonçalves (Honda) appears to be enduring a difficult start to the day. Indeed, he lies 3’02’’ behind Toby Price (KTM). Is the Portuguese rider erring on the side of caution due to it being a marathon stage, or having trouble following the pace of the general standings leader?



08:12 : Bikes: Price sets the pace

At the first Way Point on the special, general standings leader Toby Price (KTM) appears to have set off at a very good pace. Currently leading the stage, he boasts a 2’03’’ advantage over his most serious rival, Paulo Gonàalves (Honda). Stefan Svitko (KTM) is credited with the second best time so far, in between the Australian and the Portuguese rider.



08:09 : Cars: inquiry concerning Stéphane Peterhansel

The Mini team filed a complaint yesterday, against Stéphane Peterhansel, the current leader of the general standings, due to refuelling conducted in an unauthorised zone (180 km from the end of the special).


As a result, the race officials have opened an inquiry to check whether this refuelling was illegal or not.Peugeot Sport team director Bruno Famin confirmed the filing of the complaint, whilst pointing out that, “this refuelling was legal because it was on the road-book.


I don’t understand the complaint and we’re waiting to find out more about it”.Should the complaint be deemed valid, Stéphane Peterhansel, who has been summoned to see the race officials this evening, could receive a 6-hour penalty or even be disqualified.



- ASO -