Stage 7 Copiapó-Copiapó is underway 07.01.2012: With 154 kilometres of link stage, the seventh day of the Dakar 2012 starts out from Copiapó. In fact, the competitors will follow a loop route that will return to the bivouac in the

With 154 kilometres of link stage, the seventh day of the Dakar 2012 starts out from Copiapó.


In fact, the competitors will follow a loop route that will return to the bivouac in the capital of the Atacama region. With 12 millimetres of rain per year, it is one of the driest areas of the planet and the nearby desert will be the terrain of choice for the crews during this stage, all the more so after the cancellation of the previous special.


Between the duel concerning the official KTM riders, Cyril Despres et Marc Coma, in the bike race, the battle amongst Argentineans in the quad category, where the Patronelli brothers will be taking on Tomas Maffei, the incredible combat between the trucks which De Rooy's Ivecos are dominating and the car race, in which nobody has managed to open up any big gaps, the competition is likely to experience a few hours of intense suspense…


Because there are no less than 419 kilometres of special stage, the longest distance against the clock since the start of the rally. The day's proceedings will take place over earthen tracks and sand, with a section of dunes to be crossed that represent one of the biggest challenges of this first week.


Competitors will have to beware of the Camanchaca, a type of fog typical of the area, which could significantly restrict visibility in certain sections.





002 - Duel in the sun

Cyril Despres and Marc Coma (KTM) have both begun special 7 of the 2012 Dakar. The gap between them in the general classification was 9'51" at the start of the stage. Today's extremely selective route has the potential to drastically alter the current state of play.



10:10 Gerard, Ales, Miki and the rest

A host of 71 trucks started to congregate at the start of the liaison section at 9:24 am local time, ready to set off in the direction of Vallenar. Roughly 20 km before this city they will turn west, following the path to a series of big mining sites until they reach the start of today's special.


Sunny weather is forecast for the entirety of today's stage once the morning fog has cleared. The competitors may come across a few guanacos, a local species of llama which is quite abundant in this area.



09:42 - car#124 cars on the starting line

Krzysztof Holowczyc has passed in front of the clocking-in table at the start of the stage 7 liaison section. He leads the field of cars, which are setting off one by one towards the start of the timed section, 150 km from Copiapó.


The Pole and his Mini are followed by American Robby Gordon (Hummer), Frenchman Stéphane Peterhansel and Spaniard Nani Roma. A total of 124 cars remain in the race, out of the 161 which started last Sunday in Mar del Plata.



08:21 - quad  The quad leaders set off

The Argentinean trio at the top of the classification in this category were the first pilots to leave the bivouac for today's stage.


The Patronelli brothers, Marcos and Alejandro, set off before GC leader Tomás Maffei and will try to pile the pressure on him. 21 quads will face the dunes today, nine down from the 30 which started the race in Mar del Plata six days ago.



08:16 - bike Coma and Despres on their way to the start

Pilots have to cover a 154-kilometre liaison section before starting Saturday's special. The two KTM riders open the 128-strong field (178 at the start in Mar del Plata) of pilots ready to measure themselves against the Atacama Desert.


This 419-kilometre-long selective section should keep them on their toes. The weather forecast says there may be fog –or camanchaca– just after CP2, 75 km into the special.





copyright ASO -also logo