VW's EL Matador Carlos SAINZ - DAKAR Leader thru Stage 13 CRASHES OUT OF Race
January 15, 2009: The leader of the general standings, Spaniard Carlos Sainz (VW) is said to have careered into a ravine after 79 km of the day’s special stage. It appears that his co-pilot, Frenchman Michel has received a shoulder injury and has been evacuated to the bivouac for medical attention... This would mean withdrawal from the race for the Spaniard, who has won 6 special stages out of the 10 already completed.
The Spanish driver Carlos Sainz and his French co-pilot Michel Perin have just arrived by helicopter at the bivouac in Fiambala, thus confirming the withdrawal of Volkswagen Race Touareg No. 301, leader of the general standings until the start of the 12th stage this morning.
Sainz Navigator, Michel Périn, commented after his flight from the crash site to the Dakar mobile headquarters said, "We had made a small mistake in the first part. We took the wrong direction at a Y crossing but it was not too bad because we did end up on the right trail. We were tailing Giniel De Villiers who had started about 10’ after us so it was still sort of OK. Then there was a hidden waypoint with a wadi indicated as ’danger’. But it should have been indicated as ’extremely dangerous’. By the way, the car behind us, Nani Roma’s car, would have fallen in the same hole as we did if we had not been there already. I’m ok; I just have something broken in my arm, but I’m alright."
Teammate and fellow racer, Mark Miller commented, " I can tell you that this was a very demanding stage. I cannot even imagine how the amateurs will make it to the finish today. It was not just difficult, navigation was almost impossible. It was a long series of horror situations from start to finish. These were the longest 200km in my life. It’s not good news to know that Carlos had to withdraw. He has an important place in the team. We got ’tanked’ three times. The sun and the sand were so bright that I would not see anything. I thing it was the toughest stage I ever drove in my life."
January 15, 2009: One of the shortest specials, but perhaps the toughest and the most beautiful one, the stage from Fiambala to La Rioja boosts Ales Loprais to 7th place overall.
20:24 - Bike SUMMARY OF STAGE 12
Pending validation by the race stewarts, Frenchman Cyril Despres (KTM) has won his 3rd stage today, 1’23" ahead of Spain’s Marc Coma (KTM), and 9’47" ahead of another Spaniard,a surprising Gerard Farres Guell (KTM). By a way of consequence, in the general standings, Spain’s Marc Coma (KTM) remains solidly attached to the lead of the rally, with a 1h29’48" lead over his closest contender, who is not David Frétigné anymore - arrived 6th today at 10’28" following an oil leak on his Yamaha - but Cyril Desprès, who is now second in the stadings, 4’07" ahead of "Fretos", who nevertheless remains the leader in the 450cc category. On the marathon side, it’s still Dutch rider Frans Verhoeven (KTM) who is at the top of the standings.
20:20 - Truck SUMMARY OF STAGE 12
Pending validation by the race stewards, Russian driver Vladimir Chagin (Kamaz) has won stage 12, his fifth stage victory in this rally and his 48th in the history of the Dakar, 1’47" ahead of his countryman and team-mate Firdaus Kabirov (Kamaz), and 24’40" ahead of Dutchman Gerard De Rooy (Ginaf). In consequence in the general standings, the five-time Dakar winner "Czar" Chagin is back in the lead of the rally with now 1’33" lead over Kabirov, and 56’58" over Dutch driver Gérard De Rooy (Ginaf), who is in 3rd place.
20:17 - Quad SUMMARY OF STAGE 12
Pending validation by the race stewards, Argentinian driver Marcos Patronelli (Can-Am) has won his 3rd special stage of this Dakar, 35’56" ahead of Czech driver Josef Machacek (Yamaha), and 36’02" ahead of Frenchman Hubert Deltrieu (Polaris). Despite the huge gap made by the Argentinian during this 12th stage, Czech driver Machacek is still quietly in the lead in the general standings with a comfortable 1h54’38" lead over Patronelli. Ranking 3rd in the standings, Poland’s Rafal Sonik (Yamaha) is already much further behind at 7h06’17". 20:13 - Truck
501 - Fifth stage victory for Chagin
The first three trucks have now completed the 12th stage and it is Russia’s Vladimir Chagin (Kamaz) who has won the stage - his fifth stage victory in the rally - 1’47" ahead of his countryman and team-mate Firdaus Kabirov (Kamaz), and 24’40" ahead of Dutch driver Gerard De Rooy (Ginaf). 17:38 - Car
305 - De Villiers is back in the lead!...
The 3 first cars have now reached the end of this 12th stage and - against all odds - it is South-African driver Giniel De Villiers (VW), who was timed 3rd, 2’12" behind Miller at CP2, who wins. This is his 3rd stage victory this year and his 11th on a Dakar. More importantly, with a 16’17" over his US team-mate Mark Miller (VW), De Villiers is now taking the lead in the general standings after the withdrawal of Spanish driver Carlos Sainz (VW) today. 3rd fastest clock today, 25’27" behind the winner, American driver Robby Gordon (Hummer) is now more than 1h15" behing the leaders in the general standings.
17:15 - Quad 273 - Patronelli hits hard!
The first 3 quads have now reached the end of the day’s special stage and Argentinian driver Marcos Patronelli (Can-Am) is today’s winner; this is his 2nd stage victory of the rally and a big one it is with a 35’56" (!) lead over leader in the general standings, Czech driver Josef Machacek (Yamaha), and 36’02" over Frenchman Hubert Deltrieu (Polaris).
17:05 - Truck 505 - De Rooy still leader at CP2
The 10 first trucks have now passed CP2 located at km 137 of today’s special stage and Dutchman Gerard De Rooy (Ginaf)is still in the lead, 43" ahead of leader in the general standings, Russia’s Vladimir Chagin (Kamaz), and 1’01" ahead of his countryman and team-mate Firdaus Kabirov (Kamaz).
17:00 - Car 304 - Roma stopped at km 165
Last Mitsubishi driver still in the race, Spain’s Nani Roma has been stuck for more than an hour at km 165 of today’s special stage most probably due to a mechanical problem.
16:40 - Bike 106 - Orfanos gets a second round... for free...
Started 99th this morning for stage 12, Greek rider Vasileios Orfanos (Honda) checked 68th at CP1, then 93rd at CP2 before making a small navigation error at km 154 of the special stage... that brought him back to ... km 71! Far from getting flustered, Orfanos is back on trail and is now heading for... CP2!...
15:38 - Bike 24 - A surprising third place for Farrès Guell!
After starting today’s stage 20th this morning, Spain’s Gerard Farrès Guell (KTM) had the 3rd fastest clock of the day’s special stage, finishing 9’47" behind winner Cyril Despres (KTM), but 4" ahead of French rider David Casteu (VW), who is now fourth of today’s stage.
15:25 - Truck 505 - De Rooy, provisional leader at CP1
The 3 first trucks have now passed CP1 located at km 62 of today’s special stage and Dutch driver Gerard De Rooy (Ginaf) checks in the lead, 3" ahead of the leader in the general standings, Russian driver Vladimir Chagin (Kamaz), and 12" ahead of the latter’s countryman and teammate Russia’s Firdaus Kabirov (Kamaz).
15:23 - Bike 1 - 3rd stage victory for Despres
The first 7 bikes have now reached the finish of today’s special stage and French rider Cyril Despres (KTM) wins the stage; it is the Frenchman’s third stage victory in this 31st edition of the Dakar, he finishes with a 1’23" lead on the leader in the general standings, Spain’s Marc Coma (KTM), and 9’51" ahead of France’s David Casteu (KTM).
15:02 - Truck 501 - It’s a go for trucks...
Winner of stage 10, the day before yesterday and leader in the general standings, Russia’s Vladimir Chagin (Kamaz) kicked off the day’s special stage followed 2’ later by Dutch driver Gerard De Rooy (Ginaf).
14:32 - Car 308 - Miller still leads at CP2
The new leader of the general standings since the withdrawal of Spaniard Carlos Sainz, American Mark Miller (VW) is still in the lead on this 12th special stage at CP2, after 137 km of the day’s special stage. The American has a lead of 1.37 over his country-man Robby Gordon (Hummer), and 2.12 over his South African team-mate Giniel De Villiers (VW).
14:27 - Car 301 - Confirmation that Carlos Sainz has abandoned the race!
The Spanish driver Carlos Sainz and his French co-pilot Michel Perin have just arrived by helicopter at the bivouac in Fiambala, thus confirming the withdrawal of Volkswagen Race Touareg No. 301, leader of the general standings until the start of the 12th stage this morning.
14:10 - Car 301 - It could be all over for Sainz!
The leader of the general standings, Spaniard Carlos Sainz (VW) is said to have careered into a ravine after 79 km of the day’s special stage. It appears that his co-pilot, Frenchman Michel has received a shoulder injury and has been evacuated to the bivouac for medical attention... This would mean withdrawal from the race for the Spaniard, who has won 6 special stages out of the 10 already completed.
13:51 - Car 308 - Miller is the provisional leader at CP1
With the first 10 cars through CP1, after 62 km of the day’s special, American Mark Miller (VW) is in the lead, 15 seconds ahead of his countryman Robby Gordon (Hummer), and 43 seconds in front of general standings leader, Spaniard Carlos Sainz (VW).
13:49 - Quad 255 - Deltrieu is the new leader at CP2
Now that the first 8 quads have made it through CP2, after 137 km of the day’s special, Frenchman Hubert Deltrieu (Polaris) now leads, 2.09 ahead of general standings leader, Czech Josef Machacek (Yamaha), and 2.38 in front of Argentine Marcos Patronelli (Can-Am).
12:53 - Car 301 - It’s a go for cars...
Winner of stage 10 the day before yesterday and more than ever leader in the general standings, Spain’s Carlos Sainz (VW) started the day’s special stage for cars at 8:41 AM as scheduled followed 2’ later by US driver Robby Gordon (Hummer).
12:51 An unexpected guest on the Dakar: rain...
Rain is the unexpected guest of this 12th stage and if it’s a real downpour now falling from the Argentina sky onto the bivouac at La Rioja, the whole area of Fiambala and the route of the day’s special stage are beaten by wind and rain, making the race particularly difficult.
12:47 - Bike 2 - Despres still in the lead at CP2
Now that the first 10 bikes have passed CP2 located at km 137 of today’s special stage, French rider Cyril Despres (KTM) is still in the lead, 42" ahead of his countryman David Frétigné on his Yamaha 450, and 2’38" ahead of leader in the general standings, Spain’s Marc Coma (KTM).
12:32 - Quad 267 - Carlini, provisional leader at CP1
Now that the first 10 quads have crossed CP1 located at km 62 of the day’s special stage, French driver Eric Carlini (Polaris) checks in the lead, 3" ahead of his fellow countryman Hubert Deltrieu (Polaris), and 5" ahead of Argentinian driver Marcos Patronelli (Can-Am).
12:03 ROUTE CHANGE FOR TODAY’S STAGE
Due to the archeological discoveries made a month ago in the Fiambala region and due to the presence of archeological treasures right on the route of the rally, the Argentinian authorities have asked the organizers to change the original route of the day’s special stage, which they readily accepted - of course - shortening the day’s stage by some 30 km...
11:59 Despres in the lead at CP1
The 5 first bikes have now crossed CP1 located at km 62 of today’s special stage and it is French biker Cyril Despres (KTM) who checks in the lead, 35" ahead of the leader in the general standings, Spain’s Marc Coma (KTM), and 55" ahead of Dutch rider Frans Verhoeven (KTM).
11:23 READY, STEADY, GO
Good morning and welcome. At the end of stage 11 yesterday, 277 teams - 132 bikes and quads, 89 cars and 56 trucks – have been allowed to start today’s stage 12... The total number of official withdrawals has been brought up to 222... On the side of the race, Spanish rider Jordi Viladoms (KTM), winner of stage 10 the day before yesterday, started the day’s special stage at 6:50 AM as per schedule, followed 2’ later by Franco-Malian biker Alain Duclos (KTM). The leader in the general standings Spain’s Marc Coma (KTM) will start 7th at 7:02 AM.
11:18 STAGE 12: Fiambala - La Rioja
502 km are on the agenda of stage 12 including 253km against the clock. After a day of liaison and a bivouac without assistance in Fiambala, the contenders are back in the race... and on sand. Goodbye the Atacama desert and hello white sand dunes that cover most part of the day’s special stage. The competitors will therefore have to improvise in a new type of sand, different from the one of the previous days. Needless to say that this stage will necessarily be handled with care by the leaders in all race categories, which should allow the oustiders to hope for a stage victory but should also prevent major changes at the top of the standings from happening.
