How quickly things change on the Dakar, with victory in their grasp,Volkswagen driver Carlos Sainz of Spain, left, and KTM rider Marc Coma of Spain speak during meal time at the Argentina, with Saniz now out, Coma will push on in his bid to win the bike catagory. (AP Photo)Thursday January 15th, BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Dakar Rally leader Carlos Sainz abandoned the race Thursday after his Volkswagen careened into a ravine. He was uninjured.
Sainz, a two-time world rally champion, and French co-pilot Michel Perin were taken by helicopter to Fiambala, where the 12th stage had begun, Dakar Rally spokesman Emilie Poucan told the Associated Press.
Sainz missed a sharp turn and tumbled 13 feet into a ravine, flipping his car at the 49-mile mark of the 157-mile stage from Fiambala to La Rioja.
Poucan said Sainz wasn't hurt and could have continued the race but Perin slightly injured his shoulder, forcing the pair to quit.
Thursday's stage has been the most difficult since the rally began on Jan. 3 in Buenos Aires, said Poucan, with drivers struggling through sand dunes and rain in western Argentina.
Sainz, a two-time world rally champion, and French co-pilot Michel Perin were taken by helicopter to Fiambala, where the 12th stage had begun, Dakar Rally spokesman Emilie Poucan told the Associated Press.
Sainz missed a sharp turn and tumbled 13 feet into a ravine, flipping his car at the 49-mile mark of the 157-mile stage from Fiambala to La Rioja.
Poucan said Sainz wasn't hurt and could have continued the race but Perin slightly injured his shoulder, forcing the pair to quit.
Thursday's stage has been the most difficult since the rally began on Jan. 3 in Buenos Aires, said Poucan, with drivers struggling through sand dunes and rain in western Argentina.
After a day of almost forced rest due to fog on Stage 11, the contenders still in the race were given a short but demanding day: 213 km including the last sand dunes to be crossed in this 31st edition. That was certainly enough to provide for an unexpected turn of events. On the bikes Marc Coma did damage control on his adversaries. Cyril Despres wins his 20th special stage victory in a Dakar and reaches 2nd place in the general standings.
At the start in Fiambala, Marc Coma, comfortable leader in the general standings with more than 90’ lead, had enough margin for maneuver. The Catalan therefore raced wisely. Not taking any inconsiderate risk either to come back on one of his adversaries, Cyril Despres who had started 2’ before kept a sufficiently high pace not to be overtaken by his lieutenant David Frétigné who was right behind him. In a nutshell, this race was the right race for a probable future Dakar winner. And in the sand of the Catamarca Province, the most inspired was - again - Cyril Despres. His tyre problems from the early stage, which might turn out to have been fatal for him when it comes to final victory, seem very far away now that he is back in Argentina. The KTM rider had no concern for the others; he took the lead of the stage right after the first CP (km 62) and kept it till the finishing line. A lone race that allows the Frenchman to get his 4th stage victory in this rally, i.e. a third of all stages of the raid. In total, his Dakar stage victory counter is not at 20 special stages won in all his participations. Despres finally wins over Marc Coma by 1’23" and Farres Guell by 9’47". Moreover, the title holder benefited from oil problems for David Frétigné who lost more than 10 minutes on today’s stage and David now ranks second in the general standings. Marc Coma now has a 1h29’ lead over Despres and a 1h33’ lead over Frétigné.
At the start in Fiambala, Marc Coma, comfortable leader in the general standings with more than 90’ lead, had enough margin for maneuver. The Catalan therefore raced wisely. Not taking any inconsiderate risk either to come back on one of his adversaries, Cyril Despres who had started 2’ before kept a sufficiently high pace not to be overtaken by his lieutenant David Frétigné who was right behind him. In a nutshell, this race was the right race for a probable future Dakar winner. And in the sand of the Catamarca Province, the most inspired was - again - Cyril Despres. His tyre problems from the early stage, which might turn out to have been fatal for him when it comes to final victory, seem very far away now that he is back in Argentina. The KTM rider had no concern for the others; he took the lead of the stage right after the first CP (km 62) and kept it till the finishing line. A lone race that allows the Frenchman to get his 4th stage victory in this rally, i.e. a third of all stages of the raid. In total, his Dakar stage victory counter is not at 20 special stages won in all his participations. Despres finally wins over Marc Coma by 1’23" and Farres Guell by 9’47". Moreover, the title holder benefited from oil problems for David Frétigné who lost more than 10 minutes on today’s stage and David now ranks second in the general standings. Marc Coma now has a 1h29’ lead over Despres and a 1h33’ lead over Frétigné.
source, AP, Dakar.com
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