January 5, 2010: Robby Gordon was surprising today - and made "Double Work" for many Press-Officers. After all told about the second Stage-Victory of Stéphane Peterhansel, the US-American "came from behind" and made the victory perfect. For X-Raid´s Stéphane Peterhansel also a great day. He won a great duel between the BMW and Nasser Al Attiyah plus Carlos Sainz in their Volkswagen. Al Attiyah won the Volkswagen-Race - and Peterhansel strengthen his overall lead. "This was a superb performance by Stéphane after starting first on the road," said a delighted team director Sven Quandt.
January 5, 2010: All Volkswagen again in the Top 10: Nasser Al-Attiyah/Timo Gottschalk achieved third place at the demanding crossing of the Andes on the fourth leg from Fiambalá to Copiapó with a gap of 2:26 minutes behind the stage winners Robby Gordon/Andy Grider in the Hummer and Stéphane Peterhansel from the X-raid team.
January 5, 2010: Unfortunate circumstances plagued Team Hummer Monday afternoon in the dune sections of Stage 3. The team had first thought that the these set of dunes would be a good stage for the Hummers but due to a smaller restrictor cutting the horsepower down, the Hummers couldn’t carry the momentum needed to get through the heavy sand that was featured during Stage 3.
With a 9th stage victory in the Dakar, Marc Coma regains some ground in the general standings of a race still dominated by Cyril Despres.
In the car category, the desert gave Robby Gordon’s Hummer wings; the US driver wins the stage thanks to a tiny second lead over Stéphane Peterhansel. Rally raid experience teaches that victories are built in the long run. After losing more than 40 minutes in two days on grounds of penalty and multiple failures of a moody engine, title holder Marc Coma is fighting hard to regain ground in the general standings.
21:53 - Car Stage 4 summary Pending validation by the race marshalls, American driver Robby Gordon (Hummer) wins his 1st scratch victory on this 2010 edition of the Dakar, his third victory in total in the rally raid. With a time of 1h40’21, the NASCAR driver arrived a tiny second ahead of French driver Stéphane Peterhansel (BMW) and 2’26 ahead of Qatari driver Nasser Al-Attiyah (VW)… In the overall stadings it is nevertheless "Peter" who gets the day’s big win as the driver from Vesoul now has a 7’36 lead over his most serious rival Spain’s Carlos Sainz (VW), and a 9’56 lead over Qatari driver Al-Attiyah. Of course, in the Open category, Gordon gets his fourth consecutive stage victory on this 32nd edition. Finally in the production category, French driver Nicolas Gibon (Toyota) is the winner and comes back 10’20 behind the leader in the category’sstandings, Spaniard Xavier Foj (Toyota).
21:48 - Bike Stage 4 summary Pending validation by the race marshalls, Spain’s Marc Coma (KTM) gets his first stage victory on this 32nd Dakar, his eighth stage victory in the rally raid. After losing more than 40’ in two days the title holder has started his crazy climb back to the top of the standings; even if he only regained 2’04 on to David Casteu and 3’14 on to Cyril Despres (KTM) today. Nothing to worry about for the now Andorran who remains firmly established at the top with a now 8’53 lead on Casteu and a 23’45 on Portugal’s Helder Rodrigues (Yamaha)… As for Marc Coma, he is now 6th 38’50 from the leader.
21:45 - Truck Stage 4 summary Pending validation by the race marshalls, Russian driver Vladimir Chagin (Kamaz) gets - on his 40th birthday - his fourth consecutive stage victory on this 32nd Dakar and reaches a total and personal record of 51 stage victories in the truck category. This is just a couple of stage victories shy of the absolute record in stage victories of the Dakar held by Stéphane Peterhansel! With a time of 1h53’36, the "Tsar" arrived 07’44 ahead of his faithful lieutenant and countryman Firdaus Kabirov (Kamaz) and 11’50 ahead of the third Kamaz driver Russia’s Ilgizar Mardeev… The mishaps of Brazilian driver Andre De Azevedo (Tatra), stuck for several hours in the sand dunes at the end of the stage due to an electrical breakdown and this new victory allow both Kamaz drivers to take a very strong lead in the overall standings with Chagin having now a 26’27 on Kabirov, but - more importantly - a 2h24’33 (!) lead over the third driver in the standings, Dutchman Marcel Van Vliet (Ginaf).
21:39 Stage 4 summary Pending validation by the race marshalls, Argentine rider Alejandro Patronelli (Yamaha) gets his first stage victory in the Dakar by winning this fourth special stage of the 32nd edition. With a time of 2h13’29, the local kid wins the stage just 1’06’’ ahead of his younger brother Marcos Patronelli (Yamaha), and 1’14 ahead of Czech rider Martin Plechaty (Yamaha). In the general standings, the Patronelli brothers remain firmly glued to the lead of the race where the youngest one Marcos is ahead of his older brother Alejandro by 8’15, whilst their countryman Sébastian Halpern (Yamaha) is ranking third 26’50 from the leader.
21:06 - Truck 505 - 3rd fastest time for Mardeev... After starting 14th today’s fourth special stage, Russian driver Ilgizar Mardeev (Kamaz) just completed the day’s route finishing 3rd 11’50 from the day’s winner, his team mate Russian driver Vladimir Chagin (Kamaz).
20:16 - Truck 501 - Happy Birthday, Mr. Chagin!
It is a well-know motto: "If you want something doing, do it yourself". Well, to celebrate his 40th birthday today, Russian driver Vladimir Chagin (Kamaz) did not leave anyone else a chance to win the raid’s fourth special stage. The Tsar won - brilliantly to say the very least - and finished 7’44 ahead of this countryman and team mate Firdaus Kabirov. More importantly this fourth stage victory allows him to bring his personal record to 51 Dakar stage victories, just a couple shy of absolute record holder in all categories Frenchman Stéphane Peterhansel.
19:59 - Truck 501 - Implacable Chagin!
The first 8 trucks have now crossed CP2 at the km 111 marker of the day’s special stage and Russian driver Vladimir Chagin (Kamaz) is still leisurly in the lead respectively 6’41 and 8’17 ahead of his countrymen and lieutenants in the Kamaz armada, i.e. Firdaus Kairov and Ilgizar Mardeev.
19:53 - Car 302 - Gordon takes the lead... for one tiny second!...
After starting 11th this morning, US driver Robby Gordon (Hummer) finished the day’s special stage in 1h40’21, a time that gives him his third special stage victory on the Dakar as he finishes one tiny little second ahead of Stéphane Peterhansel (BMW).
19:44 - Car 301 - One more for "Peter"!
The first four cars have now reached the end of this fourth special stage and Stéphane Peterhansel (BMW) is the day’s winner - his 20th stagge victory in the car category and his 53rd stage victory in all Dakar categories - a record!... Moreover with t time of 1h40’22 the Frenchman ends the stage with a 2’25 lead over Qatari driver Nasser Al-Attiyah (VW) and a 3’03 lead over Spaniard Espagnol Carlos Sainz (VW), whilst also increasing his lead in the general standings and putting himself 7’36 ahead of "El Matador".
19:21 - Truck 501 - Chagin keeps it steady...
Already winner of the three first stages of this 32nd Dakar, Russian driver Vladimir Chagin (Kamaz) is on the right track for victory number 4. At CP1 the "Tsar" was ahead with respectively 2’27 and 3’12 leads over his two team mates and countrymen Firdaus Kabirov and Ilgizar Mardeev.
19:08 - Car 306 - Al-Attiyah back in the lead, but...
The first 5 cars have just passed CP2 (km 111) of the day’s special stage and it is now Qatari driver Nasser Al-Attiyah (VW) who is in the lead 6" ahead of Stéphane Peterhansel (BMW) and 1’30 ahead of Spaniard Espagnol Carlos Sainz (VW)... But the die is not cast yet as at the crossing of the km 83 marker the Qatari had a 35" lead over "Peter" who is in heavy pursuit and is coming back strong on the VW driver at the end of this stage.
19:00 - Quad 277 - Alejandro Patronelli... at last!
Now that the first 8 quads have completed the day’s special stage, it is Argentine rider Alejandro Patronelli (Yamaha) who wins the stage and gets his first Dakar stage victory. With a time of 2h13’29 the oldest of the Patronelli brothers finished 1’06 ahead of his younger brother Marcos, who nevertheless remains in the lead in the general standings and 1’14 ahead of Czech rider Martin Plechaty (Yamaha) who was however the fastest at all markers of the day!
18:22 - Car 301 - "Peter" gets vantage...
First one to start today’s special stage, the leader in the general standings Stéphane Peterhansel (BMW) checked in the lead at CP1(km 38) 24" ahead of Qatari driver Nasser Al-Attiyah (VW) and 35" ahead of Spain’s Carlos Sainz (VW).
18:14 - Truck 501 - IT’S A GO FOR TRUCKS!
As per new schedule set by the organizers the truck’s special stage started at 2:49PM with 3rd stage winner and already firm holder of the lead in the general standings Russia’s Vladimir chagin (Kamaz). The "Tsar" was followed 5’ later by his countryman and team mate Firdaus Kabirov (Kamaz).
18:08 - Quad 268 - Plechaty defends his country’s honor!...
As title holder and Czech quad rider Josef Machacek (Yamaha) has decided not to race the day’s special stage and go straight to the Copiapo bivouac by road - hence putting an end to all hopes of a second victory in the raid - his fellow countryman Martin Plechaty (yamaha) has decided to defend his country’s flag on this fourth stage. As the first six quads passed CP2 at km 111 the Czech rider was indeed still in the lead 2’59 ahead of the older of the Patronelli brothers (Yamaha) Alejandro and 4’01 ahead of the latter’s younger brother Marcos.
18:00 - Bike 1 - Coma’s turn!...
The first 6 bikes have just reached the end of the timed section of today’s special stage and it is Spanish rider Marc Coma (KTM) who is the day’s winner and gets his first stage victory in the 2010 edition - his 10th in a Dakar. With a time of 1h46’58 the Spaniard arrived 2’04 before David Casteu (Sherco) and 3’14 before Cyril Despres (KTM). Nothing to worry about however for the Andoran in the general standings where he remains a steady leader 8’53 ahead of Casteu. As for the day’s winner, Marc Coma is now 38’50 behind the race leaders. 17:51 - Car 301 - IT’S A GO FOR CARS!
As per new schedule established by the organizers, French driver Stéphane Peterhansel (BMW), the winner of stage 3 yesterday and new leader in the general standings, has kicked off the day’s special stage at 1:35 PM. He was followed 2’ later by his prime rival Spaniard Carlos Sainz (VW).
17:49 - Quad 268 - Plechaty drives a nail home...
The first 6 quads have now passed the km 83 marker of the day’s special stage and Czech rider Martin Plechaty (Yamaha) is still in the lead now 2’23 ahead of Argentina’s Alejandro Patronelli (Yamaha) and 3’00 ahead of Spain’s Jose Manuel Gonzalez Corominas (Yamaha).
17:19 - Bike 1 - Coma still in the lead!...
The first 8 bikes have now passed CP2 (km 111) of the day’s special stage and it is still Spanish rider Marc Coma (KTM) who gets best time of the day. The title holder is 1’25 ahead of the leader in the general standings, Frenchman Cyril Despres (KTM) and 1’53 ahead of another French rider David Casteu (Sherco).
17:17 - Quad 268 - Plechaty in the lead at CP1
The first 10 quads have now passed CP1 (km 38) of the day’s special stage and it is Czech rider Martin Plechaty (Yamaha) who is in the lead 36" ahead of Spain’s Jose Manuel Gonzalez Corominas (Yamaha) and 1’24 ahead of the leader in the standings Argentina’s Marcos Patronelli (Yamaha). It is also to be noted that the winner of stage 3 and first quad rider to start this morning Argentine rider Sebastian Halpern (Yamaha) was timed 9’39 behind the stage leader after having had to stop for several minutes at km 15 probably because of a mechanical problem.
17:13 - Bike 1 - The Coma show is on the road...
The first 8 bikes have now passed the km 83 marker of today’s special stage and it is - again - Marc Coma (KTM) who is in the lead. After loosing more than 40’ in two days, the Spaniard is now riding at infernal speed and already has a 1’01 lead on Frenchman David Casteu (Sherco) and a 1’10 on the leader in the overall standings, French rider Cyril Despres (KTM).
16:20 - Bike 1 - Best clock for Coma at CP1
Starting 9th of today’s special stage, Spanish rider and title holder Marc Coma (KTM) was timed with the best clock at CP1 (km 38), 5" ahead of the leader in the overall standings, Frenchman Cyril Despres (KTM).
16:18 - Bike 2 - Despres in the lead at CP1
The first 5 bikes have now passed CP1 located at the km 38 marker of today’s special stage and it is - logically - French rider Cyril Despres (KTM) who is in the lead 57" ahead of his fellow countryman David Casteu (Sherco) and 1’04 ahead of Portuguese biker Paulo Goncalves (BMW).
15:55 - Bike 2 - IT’S A GO FOR BIKES!
As per new schedule set by the organizers for this fourth special stage, French rider Cyril Despres (KTM) started the day’s stage at 11:30 AM local time. The winner of yesterday’s special stage and new leader in the overall standings was followed 2’ later by Portugal’s Helder Rodrigues (Yamaha).
15:09 READY, STEADY, GO!
ROUTE CHANGE As announced yesterday night, given the fact that many contenders arrived very late at the Fiambala bivouac at the end of stage 3, the organizers decided to push the start of the day’s special stage by 1.5 hour and to shorten the route. Today’s fourth special stage will now start at 11:30 (local time) and it’s Frenchman Cyril Despres (KTM) who will start the show. On the race side the 279 teams who left the Fiambala bivouac this morning will now have to deal with a 160-km special stage instead of the 203 km initially foreseen and the stage will finish at CP3.
08:00 ADJUSTMENT OF THE FOURTH STAGE FIAMBALA-COPIAPO
In order that the race remains as fair as possible, possibilities of adjustments based on the events of the previous day have been imagined.
Indeed, seeing that a great number of competitors will not have returned to the bivouac by night fall, and having to face the passage of the Andes Cordillera, the rally organization has decided to delay the start of tomorrow’s stage from 4:00 to 5:30 and set the finish of tomorrow’s special at CP3, reducing it of its last 40 kilometers.
The "public zone" planned at km 184,91 has therefore been removed.
07:00STAGE 4: FIAMBALA – COPIAPO
With 629 km on the menu for the 4th stage, the competitors will cross the Andes Mountains and the border between Argentina and Chile at an altitude of more than 4000 m, before heading towards the Atacama Desert to dispute a 203-km long special stage… All the competitors will be confronted with a short but technical timed section including a quick first part followed by more than 100 km of sand and dunes. This could lead to some big gaps amongst the professional riders. It will also be the last opportunity for most of the competitors to adjust their settings for sand before really getting to grips with the most arid desert in the world.
Welcome to the Atacama
The organisers have made sure of taking good care of the competitors during this day that will first of all be used to cross the border. After a very early start, the crossing of the Andes Cordillera will be done during a liaison. At an altitude sometimes over 4000m, the shivers will be linked to the temperature as well as the beauty of landscapes. The descent, Chile side, will take the competitors to an absolute desert special. The rather short distance of this exercise will allow one to work on the last settings for a ‘sand’ configuration that the vehicles will keep during several days.
Results from Stage 3(Jan 4,2010):
Peterhansel/Cottret
Sainz/Cruz
Al-Attiyah/Gottschalk
Miller(USA)/Pitchford
Chicherit/Thoerner
Chabot/Pillot
Cox/Schroder
Holowczyc/Fortin
Sousa/Baumel
Spinelli/Palmeiro
Errandonea/Garfin
Gordon/Grider (USA)
Henrard/Beguin
Neves/Maestrelli
Leal Dos Santos/ Fiuza
Solovyev/ Zhiltsov
Van Deijne/Rosegarr
Savenko/Maltsev
Garland/Suzuki
Results from Stage 2(Jan 3,2010):
Al-Attiyah/ Gottschalk
Chicherit/Thoerner
Neves/Maestrelli
Sainz/Cruz
Miller (USA) /Pitchford
Peterhansel/ Cottret
Lavieille/ Forthhomme
De Villers / Von Zitzewitz
Sousa/ Baumel
Terranova/ Maimom
Gordon/ Grider (USA)
Novitskiy/ Schulz
Holowczyc/ Fortin
Leal Dos Santos/ Fiuza
Misslin/ Polato
Barbosa/ Ramalho
Cox/ Schroder
Roma/ Perin
Van Deijne/ Rosegaar
Spinelli/ Palmeiro
Results from Stage 1(Jan 2, 2010):
Poø. St. è. Posádka Národ. Vùz Èas
1. 501 Vladimir Chagin, Semyon Yakubov, Sergey Savostin RUS Kamaz 4326-9 2:35:47
2. 502 Ales Loprais, Milan Holan, Jaro Miskolci CZ/SK Tatra 815 4x4 + 0:27
3. 500 Firdaus Kabirov, Aydar Belyaev, Andrey Mokeev RUS Kamaz 4326-9 + 4:00
4. 505 Ilgizar Mardeev, Viatcheslav Mizyukaev, Andrey Karginov RUS Kamaz 4326-9 + 9:50
5. 506 Martin Macik, Jan Bervic, Josef Kalina CZ LIAZ 4x4 SP + 10:59
6. 508 Marcel Van Vliet, Herman Vaanholt, G. Van Veenendaal NL Ginaf X2222 SP + 11:25
7. 504 Andre De Azevedo, Jaromir Martinec, Maykel Justo BR/CZ Tatra 815 4x4 + 11:36
8. 510 Marek Spacil, Radomir Smolka, Mila Janacek CZ Tatra 815 4x4 + 14:32
9. 545 Martin Kolomy, René Kilian, Zbynek Kotal CZ Tatra 815 4x4 + 23:41
10. 513 Johan Elfrink, Serge Bruynkens NL Mercedes-Benz Axor 4x4 + 24:17
