photo courtesy: Maragni M. KTM Images
For the first time in 2013 a Dakar stage is relatively uneventful. Hit the jump for our cursory and biased recap of the days events.
Cars:
The Dakar Rally left Peru today and finished up in the Chilean city of Arica. it was the first stage featuring stony tracks that favored the 4×4 cars and as a result the top places were claimed by the MINIs of Nani Roma and Stephane Peterhansel. Robby Gordon showed a surprising display of speed to finish third in his two wheel drive Hummer, less than two minutes behind. Carlos Sainz also finished well, taking fifth behind DeVilliers 4×4 Toyota.
The has been a lot of talk about the two wheel drive buggies hemorrhaging time over the more technical rocky tracks, but if today is any indication they might be quicker than expected. Will 2013 be the year a two wheel drive car breaks the 4x4s strangle hold on the Dakar?
Motorcycles:
It was the same old story in the bike category today with Pain and Casteu swapping places for the stage win and ensuring that Yamaha remains the company to beat for the overall top two positions. Despres loafed along to a fifth place stage finish to tie up third place overall and make it a French podium. It’s a conspiracy I tell ya!
U.S. riders Campbell and Caselli (the rider in today’s featured picture) are showing improved pace. It’s still early in the rally but Caselli is looking pretty strong and might have a shot at a top ten finish. That’s not to shabby when you consider that he’s a Dakar rookie that got called up to replace the injured Marc Coma, who was one of the favorites for a Dakar win before his injury in the Morocco Rally.
Stage 5: Arequipa-Arica