Sainz regains the lead by 1.11 over teammate Mark Miller for his 3rd win of the rally/ Robby Gordon finishes 3rd, 2.16 behind stage winner

19:08 - Car Summary of stage 9
Pending validation of the results by the race stewards, Spaniard Carlos Sainz (VW) has won his 5th stage of the rally, his 3rd in a row and 14th on the Dakar, 1.47 ahead of his American team-mate Mark Miller (VW) and 2.16 in front of the Hummer belonging to another American, Robby Gordon, who finished in an excellent 3rd position. As a result in the general standings, the two times world rally champion in 1990 and 1992 took advantage of his victory to again increase his lead at the top. He is now 19.52 ahead of Mark Miller (VW), who himself took over 2nd place following the mishaps encountered by his South African team-mate Giniel De Villiers (VW), who in turn finished 5th, 12.01 behind the stage winner. The only Mitsubishi driver left, Spaniard Nani Roma, 7th today 24.41 behind Sainz, is still in 4th place in the general standings but now trails the race leader by 58.12. In the Open category, Robbie Gordon (Hummer) was once again victorious, is 5th in the general standings, but is more than an hour and a half from first position. Finally, in the Production category, Frenchman Ronan Chabot (Toyota) won the 9th special stage, but it is still another Frenchman, Nicolas Gibon (Toyota), who leads the category in the general standings.

19:07 - Bike Summary of stage 9
Pending validation of the results by the race stewards, Dutchman Frans Verhoeven (KTM) has picked up his 2nd stage victory on the rally and on the Dakar, 3.09 ahead of Frenchman David Frétigné on his 450cc Yamaha, and 3.40 in front of local star, Chilean Francisco “Chaleco” Lopez (KTM). As a result in the general standings, Spaniard Marc Coma (KTM), 4th today, now boasts a lead of 1:04.38 over Frenchman David Frétigné (Yamaha), more comfortably than ever the leader of the 450cc category, and 1:34.38 over Frenchman Cyril Despres (KTM), who finished 5th today. In the marathon category, the winner of the day’s special reinforced his position as leader of the category.

19:06 - Truck Summary of stage 9
Pending validation of the results by the race stewards, Russian Vladimir Chagin (Kamaz) has won the 9th stage, 24.57 ahead of Brazilian Andre De Azevedo (Tatra) and 33.30 in front of his countryman and team-mate Firdaus Kabirov (Kamaz). As a result in the general standings, “The Tsar”, five times winner of the Dakar, takes over control. Chagn now has a lead of 29.50 over his countryman and team-mate Firdaus Kabirov, and 48.35 over Dutchman Gérard De Rooy (Ginaf), who is in third place.

19:05 - Quad Summary of stage 9
Pending validation of the results by the race stewards, Czech Josef Machacek (Yamaha) has picked up his 4th stage victory on this Dakar by winning the 9th special stage, 39 seconds ahead of Argentine Marcos Patronelli (Can-Am) and 17.26 in front of Frenchman Hubert Deltrieu (Polaris). In the general standings, Josef Machacek continues to open up a chasm of 2:31.02 between himself and Patronelli. Third-placed in the general standings, Poland’s Rafal Sonik (Yamaha) is already 3:26.21 behind.

19:00 - Truck 501 - Special and overall lead for Chagin...
Russian Vladimir Chagin (Kamaz) has picked up his 3rd special stage victory this year and his 46th on the Dakar, 24.57 ahead of Brazilian Andre De Azevedo (Tatra) and 33’30 in front of his countryman and team-mate Firdaus Kabirov (Kamaz). Chagin also takes over the lead in the general standings.

17:05 - Truck 506 - Kabirov 3rd at CP4
Now that the first 5 trucks have made it through CP4, after 296 km of the day’s special stage, Russian Firdaus Kabirov, still leader of the general standings, is in 3rd place, but 29.46 behind the provisional stage leader, his team-mate Chagin. In 4th, Gerard De Rooy is 35.19 behind the stage leader.

16:40 - Truck 501 - Chagin leads at CP4
As expected, Russian Vladimir Chagin (Kamaz) is in the lead at CP4, after 296 km of the day’s special stage, 1.53 ahead of Brazilian Andre De Azevedo (Tatra).

16:25 - Quad 250 - 4th special stage victory for Machacek
Now that the first 3 quads have finished this 9th special stage, the leader of the general standings, Czech Josef Machacek (Yamaha), has picked up his 4th special stage victory on the rally, 39 seconds ahead of Argentine Marcos Patronelli (Can-Am), and 17.26 in front of Frenchman Hubert Deltrieu (Polaris).

16:05 - Truck 505 - De Rooy 37.56 behind!
The major rival of the Kamaz in the struggle for overall victory, Gerard De Rooy (Ginaf) came through CP2, after 218 km of the day’s special, 37.56 behind the current stage leader, because the Dutchman stopped for around twenty minutes at the 147-km mark to help Czech driver Tomas Tomecek (Tatra), who had run into trouble.

15:46 - Truck 501 - Chagin is making a strong fight-back
Whilst Andre De Azevedo (Tatra) is still in the lead at CP3, after 234 km of the day’s special stage, the Brazilian only has a lead of 2.17 over Vladimir Chagin (Kamaz). The Russian has set off in pursuit of the South American to try and claw back time lost at the start of the stage when, like many competitors, he got lost after 80 km.

15:39 - Quad 250 - The duel for the lead continues
The first 3 quads have made it through CP5, after 399 km of the day’s special stage, and once again Czech Josef Machacek is in the lead, 4.22 ahead of Argentinean Marcos Patronelli (Can-Am) and 16.10 ahead of Frenchman Hubert Deltrieu (Polaris).

15:33 - Truck 504 - De Azevedo is provisional leader at CP2
Brazilian Andre De Azevedo (Tatra) passed through CP2 in the lead, after 218 km of the day’s special, 4.43 ahead of Russian Vladimir Chagin (Kamaz)...

15:20 - Quad 273 - Patronelli regains control
Already leading after CP1, but then led by Machacek, Argentinean Marcos Patronelli (Can-Am) again leads after 334 km of the day’s special stage, 1.27 ahead of Czech Josef Machacek (Yamaha) and 6.58 in front of Spaniard Jose Maria Pena (Yamaha).

15:05 - Car 301 - Victory Number 3 for Sainz

Now even more comfortably installed as leader of the general standings, Spaniard Carlos Sainz (VW) has picked up his 3rd consecutive victory and his 5th on this 31st edition of the Dakar, by winning the 9th special stage, 1.47 ahead of his American team-mate Mark Miller (VW). Provisional third place goes to another American, Robby Gordon (Hummer), 2.16 behind the stage winner.

14:55 - Car 301 - Sainz regains the lead
The first 5 cars have made it through CP5, after 399 km of the day’s special stage, and now the leader of the general standings, Spaniard Carlos Sainz (VW), is out in front, 1.11 ahead of his American team-mate Mark Miller (VW).

14:50 - Truck 512 - Tomecek in trouble
The leader of the 9th special stage in the truck race at CP1, Czech Tomas Tomecek (Tatra) has run into trouble after 147 km of the day’s special stage and is now awaiting his assistance team.

14:25 - Truck 512 - Tomecek is surprise leader at CP1
With the first 10 trucks already through CP1, after 131 km of the day’s special stage, Czech driver Tomas Tomecek (Tatra) is in the lead, 51 seconds ahead of Brazilian Andre De Azevedo (Tatra), and 4.01 in front of the general standings leader, Russian Firdaus Kabirov (Kamaz). Russian Vladimir Chagin (Kamaz) is 13.27 behind the current stage leader, whilst Dutchman Gerard de Rooy is 26.36 behind!

Miller strengthens his lead ahead of Carlos Sainz then falls due to a flat tire

14:12 - Car 308 - Problem for Miller!
The leader of the day’s special stage at CP5, American Mark Miller (VW) has stopped after 362 km of the special due to a flat tire. He has taken advantage of this unplanned halt to fill up his Race Touareg on oil.

14:05 - Car 308 - The VWs are opening up a gap…
Now that the first 10 cars have passed through CP4, after 296 km of the day’s special stage, American Mark Miller (VW) is still out in front, but now has a lead of 4.37 over his Spanish team-mate Carlos Sainz (VW). Still 3rd and 4th, the BMWs of Argentinean Orlando Terranova and Russian Leonid Novitskiy are placed 10.43 and 12.43 respectively behind the stage leader.

14:00 - Bike 15 - Verhoeven creates a surprise!!
The first 7 bikes have finished the day’s special and against all expectations, Dutchman Frans Verhoeven (KTM), already winner of special stage 2 on this 31st edition of the Dakar and comfortable leader of the marathon category, has won the 9th special stage, 3.09 ahead of David Frétigné on his 450cc Yamaha and 3.40 in front of local hero, Chilean Francisco Lopez (KTM).

13:55 - Quad 250 - Machacek still leads at CP4
Now that the first 5 quads have reached CP4, after 296 km of the day’s special stage, Czech rider Josef Machacek (Yamaha) still leads, 2.31 ahead of Argentine Marcos Patronelli (Can-Am) and 4.31 in front of Spaniard Jose Maria Pena (Yamaha).

13:44 - Bike 15 - Best time at CP5 for Verhoeven
The 8th biker to pass through CP5, after 399 km of the day’s special stage, Dutchman Frans Verhoeven (KTM), leader of the marathon category, has posted the best time, 2.25 ahead of Frenchman David Frétigné (Yamaha).

13:15 - Bike 12 - Frétigné regains his advantage
With the first 5 bikes through CP5, after 399 km of the day’s special stage, once again Frenchman David Frétigné (Yamaha) is in the lead, 9 small seconds ahead of the stage’s local boy, Chilean Francisco Lopez (KTM). Spaniard Marc Coma (KTM), leader of the general standings is in 3rd, 2.26 behind Frétigné, but 1.33 ahead of currently fourth-placed rider Cyril Despres (KTM).

American Mark Miller & Spanish teammate Carlos Sainz leading after 234 km

13:00 - Car 315 - BMW back in with a shout...
The first 9 cars have made it through CP3, after 234 km of the day’s special stage. Whilst American Mark Miller (VW) is still in the lead, 4.31 ahead of general standings leader, his Spanish team-mate Carlos Sainz, the two Volkswagen drivers now lead the two BMWs of Argentine Orlando Terranova and Russian Leonid Novitskiy, who are in 3rd place 6.03 behind, and in 4th place 8.00 behind the stage leader respectively.

Kabirov in provisional 1st place after 57 km

Third place in Stage 8 opens the second half of the Dakar for Ales Loprais vydal

12:35 - Truck 506 - Kabirov in provisional 1st place after 57 km
Now that the first 5 trucks have completed 57 km of the day’s special, the leader of the general standings, Russian Firdaus Kabirov (Kamaz), is in the lead, 3 minutes ahead of his countryman and team-mate Vladimir Chagin (Kamaz) and 16.58 (!) in front of Dutchman Gerard De Rooy (Ginaf), who was nonetheless first to start this morning.

12:15 - Quad 250 - Machacek regains the lead
With the first 5 quads through CP2, after 218 km of the day’s special, it is now the general standings leader, Czech Josef Machacek (Yamaha), who leads, 1.04 ahead of Spaniard Jose Maria Pena (Yamaha) and 2.10 in front of Frenchman Eric Carlini (Polaris). The stage leader at CP1, Argentine Marcos Patronelli (Can-Am) is now 12.08 behind the current leader.

12:05 Lots of mistakes after 80 km
Like South African Giniel De Villiers (VW), former leader of the general standings nonetheless, many amateurs also took the wrong turn after 80 km of the special stage, continuing for around 7 kilometers on the wrong track before turning back, a fate which befell Jean-Pierre Strugo (Nissan) and Christian Barbier (Mitsubishi) amongst others.

11:50 - Bike 20 - Lopez provisionally leads at CP4
With the first 5 bikes now through CP4, after 296 km of the day’s special stage, Chilean Francisco Lopez (KTM) is in the lead, 46 seconds ahead of Frenchman David Frétigné and his 450cc Yamaha, and 1.56 in front of general standings leader, Spaniard Marc Coma (KTM). As regards Frenchman Cyril Despres (KTM), he is 3.12 behind the current leader.

11:20 - Car 308 - Miller is provisional leader at CP1
With the first 5 cars now through CP1, after 131 km of the day’s special stage, American Mark Miller (VW) is in the lead, 3.09 ahead of Argentine Orlando Terranova (BMW) and 3.19 in front of general standings leader, his Spanish team-mate Carlos Sainz (VW). As regards South African Giniel De Villiers (VW), he came through CP1 13.25 behind the current leader after getting lost after 80 km.

11:15 - Truck 505 - The truck race is underway...
The winner of the 8th special stage, Dutchman Gerard De Rooy (Ginaf) kicked off proceedings for the day’s special stage in the truck category, at 11.12 as scheduled, and was followed 2 minutes later by Russian Vladimir Chagin (Kamaz). The general standings leader, Russian Firdaus Kabirov (Kamaz), will start in 5th position at 11.20...

11:05 - Quad 273 - Patronelli is provisional leader at CP1
Now that the first 6 quads have reached CP1, after 131 km of the day’s special, Argentine Marcos Patronelli (Can-Am) is in the lead, 1.23 ahead of Frenchman Eric Carlini (Polaris) and 8.04 in front of another Frenchman, Hubert Deltrieu (Polaris)... As regards Spaniard Jose Maria Pena (Yamaha), he has lost almost 13 minutes between the 96-km mark and CP1.

10:45 - Bike 2 - Coma fights back
The first three bikes have reached CP3, after 234 km of the day’s special, and Frenchman David Frétigné (Yamaha) still leads, 1.37 ahead of Chilean Francisco Lopez (KTM) and 4.09 in front of general standings leader, Spaniard Marc Coma (KTM), who has fought back into the top 3. However, it should be noted that the Iritracks of Frenchmen Cyril Despres (KTM) and David Casteu (KTM) have not provided details of their respective positions for the moment.

10:10 - Car 305 - De Villiers leads after 96 km
The first 7 cars have completed 96 km of the day’s special and South African Giniel De Villiers (VW) is in the lead, 19 seconds ahead of his American team-mate Mark Miller (VW) and 1.38 in front of Frenchman Guerlain Chicherit (BMW). The leader of the general standings, Spaniard Carlos Sainz (VW), is 3.21 behind the current stage leader.

10:07 - Quad 273 - Patronelli leads the stage...
So far, 8 quads have reached km 96. Argentina’s Marcos Patronelli (Can-Am) currently leads the stage 1’37 ahead of Frenchman Eric Carlini (Polaris) and 2’44 ahead of Spain’s Jose Maria Peña (Yamaha).

09:42 - Quad 267 - Carlini, provisional stage leader at km 57
10 quads have reached km 57. French rider Eric Carlini (Polaris) currently leads the stage 7" ahead of Argentina’s Marcos Patronelli (Can-Am) and 1’31 ahead of Spain’s Jose Maria Peña (Yamaha). The leader of the general standings, the Czech rider Josef Machacek (Yamaha), is currently 4’36 behind the leader of the stage.

09:31 - Bike 12 - Frétigné takes the lead at CP1
The first 7 bikes have reached CP1 after 131 km in today’s special stage. Frenchman David Frétigné (Yamaha) was leading the stage with his 450cc, 4’54 ahead of Spanish rider Jordi Viladoms (KTM) and 4’56 ahead of Chile’s Francisco “Chaleco” López (KTM). Marc Coma (KTM), who leads the general standings, certainly had a technical problem at the beginning of the special stage as he was lagging 6’32 behind at CP1. The Iritrack positioning systems of Frenchmen Despres and Casteu currently fail to provide a position for these riders.

09:04 - Car 301 - The car race is underway...
The winner of the 8th special stage yesterday and comfortable leader of the general standings, Spaniard Carlos Sainz (VW) kicked off proceedings for the day’s special stage in the car category at 08.56 as scheduled, and was followed 2 minutes later by his German team-mate, Dieter Depping (VW).

08:29 - Bike 2 - Coma provisionally leads after 57 km
Now that the first 9 bikes have completed 57 km of the day’s special stage, the leader of the general standings, Spaniard Marc Coma (KTM), is in the lead, 40 seconds ahead of Chilean rider Lopez and 2.16 in front of Frenchman David Frétigné (Yamaha). However, it should be noted that the Iritracks of Frenchmen Cyril Despres (KTM), winner of yesterday’s special stage, and David Casteu (KTM) have not provided details of their respective positions for the moment.

07:15 - Bike 26 - It’s all over for Street
Having won his first special stage on a Dakar during the 5th stage, American amateur Jonah Street (KTM) has decided, as a precautionary measure, to not take starter’s orders for the 9th stage this morning, due to a very painful injury to one of his wrists.

07:10 Route modification
Due to very soft sand at the end of the day’s stage, caused by the heat, making it very unstable, and the risk of it becoming nothing more than a giant trap for competitors already tired by a stage which today promises to be very long, the organizers have decided to shorten this 9th special stage by 20km. The finishing line is now at the 430-km mark.

07:05 READY, STEADY, GO!
Hello and welcome. After stage 8 yesterday, 329 crews – 151 bikes and quads, 116 cars and 62 trucks – officially finished the stage. The total number of official withdrawals has climbed to 171, after 16 crews did not start the 8th stage following the rest day. As regards the race, French biker Cyril Despres (KTM), who won the 8th stage yesterday, kicked off proceedings for the day’s special at 07.00 as scheduled, followed 2 minutes later by the leader of the general standings, Spaniard Marc Coma (KTM).

6:30 Stage 9: La Serena – Coppiapo
There are 536.42 km on the menu for the 9th stage, including a 448.9-km timed section, and this is when things get serious, with fast tracks, mountains, but also some imposing dunes to get through, as well as several off-track sections to be negotiated. It will be an opportunity for the most experienced to show off their navigational skills, but also how adept they are at handling their equipment, which could be capital before a double whammy of two very difficult stages. In these tricky conditions, the Volkswagens will need to drive as a team, whereas in the bike race, leader Marc Coma (KTM) must avoid taking any risks whatsoever and let his rivals do the hard work out on the track in front of him.

Stage 8 - Ales Loprais takes his first podium placement in Stage 8 of the Dakar rally with a minimum gap behind the winning duo of Gerard de Rooy and Vladimir Chagin and stays 12th overall.

Ales started the stage in accordance with the combined calculation of starting order from stages 5 and 6 as tenth. Straight after the start, he gradually overtook five competitors to proceed further on and clocked time splits very close to the leading Kamaz and Ginaf of de Rooy. Te overall leader, Firdaus Kabirov, lost 7m34s but still retains his overall position.

"Today was our first clean stage without a single stop. We made all overtakings at the beginning of the stage where there was enough space. There was not even a sign of anyone not willing to clear the way for us. At the end, we would not have been able to pass anyone even if they really wanted to let us go, so narrow the track was," Ales summarizes the stage. For all teams without exception, it was a bad stage for brakes.

The health condition of navigator Vojta Stajf remains an important factor further on. It has improved. "Of course I don't feel 100% right but it is significantly better. I started taking some prescribed pills and today, without all the side bounces it was fine. I will spare myself for the rest of the days and get a massage from the race therapist," Vojta adds.

The special was shortened for trucks in the last part, with trucks finishing at CP1. the rest of the special was considered too narrow and there was a warning o trucks jamming the stage. "it was a WRC-type special, no wonder Carlos Sainz won it in cars," Vojta Stajf added.

In the overall rakings, there are no changes, Ales remains twelfth and Gerard de Rooy tightens the gap behind the leading Kamaz trucks. The highlight of the rally, a series of stages in the Chilean Atacama desert, called the decisive trilogy, added by another highly technical special in Argentina. The stage to La Serena has prepared a solid starting position for Ales in the dune section of the rally. Unfortunately, the toughest dunes at the end of the day have been canceled, which lessens the chance to even the gap at the hardest possible conditions. Psychologically, it was an important encouragement for the whole team.

Jiri Vintr, Loprais Tatra Team, La Serena