Euromilhões Lisboa - Dakar 2007 : Dakar

Breaking news (GMT + 1)

20:16

264 vehicles made it through the special stage

At 19.00 GMT, 171 bikes, 85 cars and 8 trucks had made it through the sixth special stage and were heading to or had already arrived at the bivouac in Zouerat, the finishing point of this 6th stage.

20:14

Stage 6 summary

Pending validation, Dutchman Hans Stacey (Man) won the sixth special scratch time stage with a time of 3’39’58, 14’07" ahead of countryman Gerard de Rooy (Ginaf) and 16’12" in front of Russian Ilgizar Mardeev (Kamaz). In the process, Stacey strengthened his position at the top of the general rankings and now boasts a lead of 48’42" over Gérard De Rooy.

20:12 - car

Stage 6 summary

Pending validation, American driver Robby Gordon (Hummer), with a time of 3’36’39", won the sixth special scratch time stage as well as the open category, 17" ahead of Frenchman Jean-Louis Schlesser (Buggy Schlesser), who won the stage in the two-wheel drive category. Third place, 6’52 behind, went to place Giniel De Villiers (VW). The South African is still 2nd in the general rankings, 3’11 behind the leader, his Spanish team-mate Carlos Sainz (VW). Finally, in the Production category, Frenchman Paul Belmondo (Nissan) was triumphant with the 31st-placed scratch time.

20:07 - bike

Stage 6 summary

Pending validation, Spaniard Jordi Viladoms (KTM) won the sixth special scratch time stage with a time of 3’45’45", picking up his first stage victory on the Dakar, 57’’ ahead of Spaniard Marc Coma (KTM), who nonetheless remains in the lead in the general rankings, 12’07 ahead of countryman Isidre Esteve. Third place today went to American Chris Blais (KTM), 1’00 behind. In the 450 cc category, Portuguese rider Portugais Helder Rodrigues was victorious (Yamaha), with the 7th-placed scratch time. In the Marathon category, the stage victory went to Frenchman Frédéric Lepan (KTM), who boasts the 20th-placed scratch time. Finally, in the quad race, Portugal’s Joao Carlos Nazare Santos (Yamaha) won.

19:52

- Trucks - Stacey is the provisional winner of the special stage

No. 501, STACEY/GOTLIB/DER KINDEREN - MAN
Now that the first 4 trucks have arrived at the finishing line of this 6th stage, the leader of the general rankings Dutchman Hans Stacey has provisionally won his 2nd stage of the rally, 14’07 ahead of his countryman Gerard De Rooy and 16’12 in front of Russian Ilgizar Mardeev.

19:05

- Trucks - Stacey leads after 313 km

No. 501, STACEY/GOTLIB/DER KINDEREN – MAN
Now that the first 4 trucks have completed 313 km, the leader of the general rankings, Dutchman Hans Stacey, is the virtual leader of the special stage, 7’22 ahead of his countryman Gerard De Rooy and 11’39 in front of Russian Ilgizar Mardeev.

18:50 - bike

Difficult day for Merkit

No. 203, MERKIT KEMAL – KTM
Due to a series of mechanical problems today, Turkish rider Kemal Merkit lost more than an hour whilst repairing a mechanical breakdown, before setting off again on the special stage. He is now riding with Dane Marc Dullum (No. 71) and is nearing the 372 km mark.

18:34 - car

Guinot waiting for his assistance team

No. 332, GUINOT/KROISS - BUGGY VW, SUPER PRODUCTION
Having suffered an oil pump problem after 152 km of the special stage, the French crew of Jean-François Guinot and Manfred Kroiss are now waiting for their assistance team.

18:32 - car

Kleinschmidt stops after 372 km

No. 307, KLEINSCHMIDT/THORNER - BMW, SUPER PRODUCTION
Victorious in the 2001 edition, German Jutta Kleinschmidt is currently stopped after 372 km of the special stage and is trying to repair.

18:03

- Trucks - Stacey leads after 249 km

No. 501, STACEY/GOTLIB/DER KINDEREN – MAN
Now that the first 5 trucks have completed 249 km, the leader of the general rankings, Dutchman Hans Stacey, is the virtual leader of the special stage, 6’54 ahead of Russian Ilgizar Mardeev and 8’00 in front of his countryman Gerard De Rooy.

17:59

- Trucks - Van Ginkel is 3rd at CP1

No. 513, VAN GINKEL/TIJSTERMAN/DE ROOY
The Dutch team of Wulfert Van Ginkel, Willem Tjisterman and Richard De Rooy arrived at CP1 in 3rd position, 5’55 behind virtual leader Hans Stacey, but 1’07 in front of team leader Gerard De Rooy, who is now 4th.

17:35

- Trucks - Stacey in the lead at CP1

Now that the first 3 trucks have gone through CP1, the leader of the general rankings, Dutchman Hans Stacey, has taken the provisional lead of this special stage, 5’33 ahead of Russian Ilgizar Mardeev and 7’02 in front of Holland’s Gerard De Rooy.

17:26 - car

Gordon is the provisional winner of the special stage

No. 320, GORDON/GRIDER - HUMMER, OPEN
Now that the first 8 cars have arrived at the finishing line of this 6th special stage, American Robby Gordon has won his 3rd special stage victory on the Dakar, 17" ahead of Frenchman Jean-Louis Schlesser and 6’52 in front of South African Giniel de Villiers.

17:00 - car

Gordon leads after 313 km

No. 320, GORDON/GRIDER - HUMMER, OPEN
Now that the first 11 cars have completed 313 km, American Robby Gordon leads the day’s special stage, 1’04 ahead of Frenchman Jean-Louis Schlesser and 6’49 in front of South African Giniel de Villiers.

16:49 - car

It’s all over for Chicherit

No. 312, CHICHERIT/BAUMEL - BMW, SUPER PRODUCTION
Following an accident after 195 km of today’s special stage, 2006 free-ride champion Frenchman Guerlain Chicherit and co-pilot Matthieu Baumel have been forced to drop out

16:38 - car

Gordon leads after 249 km

No. 320, GORDON/GRIDER - HUMMER, OPEN
Now that the first 20 cars have completed 249 km, American Robby Gordon leads today’s special stage, 19" ahead of Frenchman Français Jean-Louis Schlesser and 3’02 in front of Spaniard Carlos Sainz.

16:10 - bike

Viladoms is the provisional winner of the special stage

No. 21, JORDI VILADOMS - KTM, SUPER PRODUCTION
Now that the first 4 bikes have finished this 6th special stage, Spaniard Jordi Viladoms is the provisional winner, 57" ahead of countryman Marc Coma and 1’00 in front of American Chris Blais.

16:03 - car

Vigouroux hot and bothered

No. 328, VIGOUROUX/WINOCQ - CHEVROLET, OPEN
Following a radiator problem after 158 km of the special stage, Frenchman Eric Vigouroux and co-pilot Alexandre Winocq have their hands full with repairs before they can set off again.

15:48 - car

Gordon in provisional 2nd place at CP1

No. 320, GORDON/GRIDER - HUMMER, SUPER PRODUCTION
American Robby Gordon arrived in 2nd position at CP1, 21’56" behind the virtual leader, Spaniard Carlos Sainz.

15:41 - car

Sainz in the lead at CP1

No. 303, SAINZ/PERIN - VOLKSWAGEN, SUPER PRODUCTION
Now that the first 7 cars have gone through CP1, Spaniard Carlos Sainz leads, 22’02 in front of Frenchman Jean-Louis Schlesser and 25’32 ahead of his team-mate American Mark Miller.

15:29 - car

Sainz still first after 240 km

No. 303, SAINZ/PERIN - VOLKSWAGEN SUPER PRODUCTION
First to start this morning, Carlos Sainz was still leading after 240 km of this special stage.

15:27 - car

Bailey gets a fright Part II

No. 350, BAILEY/HEATH - BUGGY, OPEN
Having already rolled the buggy on the motorway during the connection section of the 2nd stage, Americans Ronn Bailey and co-pilot Kevin Heath have done it again today after 25 km of the day’s special section. Fortunately, once again this mishap was not serious, and the crew is now awaiting assistance.

15:14 - bike

It’s all over for Masse

No. 226, STEPHANE MASSE - KTM, SUPER PRODUCTION
Having fallen after 204 km of the special stage, Frenchman Stéphane Masse has broken his bike and is now waiting for the broom car.

15:06 - car

Head over heels for Schoo

No. 438, SCHOO-KONING - TOYOTA, SUPER PRODUCTION
The Dutch team of Marcel Schoo and Roelof Koning have rolled their car after 34 km of the special stage. Fortunately, the accident was not serious, and they are now trying to set their Toyota back on its wheels to set off again on the special.

14:57 - bike

Oil problem for Roger

No. 69, FREDERIC ROGER - KTM, SUPER PRODUCTION
After suffering a significant oil leak from his front shock absorber after 175 km of the special stage, Frederic Roger has stopped to repair, but should be able to set off again soon.

14:52 - car

Masuoka held up by repairs...

No. 306, MASUOKA/MAIMON - MITSUBISHI, SUPER PRODUCTION
Having ground to a halt after 60 km of the special stage, Japanese driver Hiroshi Masuoka is currently lying underneath his car carrying out repairs.

14:50 - car

No 6th special stage for Cupertino de Miranda

No. 422, CUPERTINO DE MIRANDA/ANTONIOLLI - NISSAN/SUPER PRODUCTION
After suffering an engine failure that could not be repaired after 374 km of the connection section, Portuguese driver Magdalena Cupertino de Miranda and French co-pilot Patrick Antoniolli are now waiting for the broom car and will therefore not start the day’s special stage.

14:45 - bike

Despres has a trick up his sleeve

No. 2, CYRIL DESPRES - KTM, SUPER PRODUCTION
The Frenchman Cyril Despres has decided to try out a navigational trick and has veered away from the tracks of Marc Coma and Isidre Esteve after 300 km.

14:42 - bike

Broken motor for Terranova

No. 81, ORLANDO TERRANOVA - KTM, SUPER PRODUCTION
The Argentine Orlando Terranova has suffered engine failure and is now waiting for the broom car.

14:40 - car

Schlesser leads after 76 km

No. 310, SCHLESSER/DEBRON - BUGGY SCHLESSER, SUPER PRODUCTION
Now that the first 12 cars have completed 76 km of the day’s special stage, Frenchman Jean-Louis Schlesser is the virtual leader, 1’01" ahead of Spaniard Carlos Sainz and 1’17 in front of American Mark Miller.

14:38 - bike

De Groot falls

No. 92, MICHEL DE GROOT - HONDA, MARATHON
Dutch biker Michel De Groot crashed after 167 km of today’s special stage, but was able to set off again. However, his GPS and Iritrack are no longer working.

14:36 - car

Schlesser at more than 190 km/h

No. 310, SCHLESSER/DEBRON - BUGGY SCHLESSER, SUPER PRODUCTION
On very muddy tracks, the race nevertheless started at a crazy pace. The two Volkswagens of Carlos Sainz and Giniel de Villiers opened proceedings and where timed at 180km/h, opening up a gap on the Mitsubishis of Peterhansel and Alphand. Only Jean-Louis Schlesser, thirteenth to leave this morning, seems capable of keeping up with them, with a top speed of more than 190 km/H.

14:19

Computer problem at CP1

Due to a computer problem at CP1, the split times are not valid.

14:11 - bike

8 bikers did not start

At 13.00 GMT, 8 bikers had not started the day’s special stage: Nos. 64, 91, 137, 196, 201, 215, 253 and 254

14:07 - bike

Coma catches up with Esteve

No. 1, MARC COMA - KTM, SUPER PRODUCTION
Second to start this morning, Spaniard Marc Coma has caught up with countryman Isidre Esteve. The two bikers are now riding together, in front of Cyril Despres, Jordi Viladoms and Chris Blais, all three of whom are isolated.

14:02 - car

The special stage for cars has kicked off

No. 303, SAINZ/PERIN - VOLKSWAGEN, SUPER PRODUCTION
Victorious in yesterday’s special stage, Spaniard Carlos Sainz was the first driver to get to grips with the day’s special stage, at 12.41 as scheduled.

14:00 - bike

Viladoms no longer in the lead

No. 21, JORDI VILADOMS - KTM, SUPER PRODUCTION
Having led after 76 km and once the first 5 competitors had completed 128 km of the day’s special stage, Spaniard Jordi Viladoms was still virtual leader, 57" ahead of Frenchman Cyril Despres and 1’38" in front of American Chris Blais, until the signals from Esteve and Coma were picked up.

13:28 - bike

The first 5 bikes make a breakaway

No. 4, ISIDRE ESTEVE - KTM, SUPER PRODUCTION
Spaniard Isidre Esteve is currently at the head of the race in front of Coma, Despres, Viladoms and Blais. The five bikers, all within sight of each other, have already opened up a gap of 12 km on the chasing pack, led by Portuguese rider Ruben Faria.

13:06 - bike

Viladoms leads after 76 km

No. 21, JORDI VILADOMS - KTM, SUPER PRODUCTION
Now that the first 6 riders have completed 76 km of today’s special stage, Spaniard Jordi Viladoms is the virtual leader, 16" ahead of Frenchman Cyril Despres and 42" in front of American Chris Blais. However, the Iritrack beacons of Spaniards Isidre Esteve and Marc Coma are not transmitting signals for the moment.

12:54

- Trucks - Solidarity is still the watchword on the Dakar

No. 553, CASSAGNE/GIOZZET/LOUIN – MERCEDES
Non-starters for the fifth stage, the Franco-Italian team of Eric Cassagne and Pergentine Giozzet-Raymond Louin spent the night helping the crew of Nissan No. 436 to finish the special stage yesterday, before turning around to go back and help Toyota No. 487 out of the dunes encountered in stage 5.

12:16 - bike

Start of the special stage

No. 4, ISIDRE ESTEVE PUJOL - KTM SUPER PRODUCTION
Victorious in yesterday’s special, Spaniard Isidre Esteve was the first to get to grips with the day’s special stage, at 11.05 as scheduled.

12:10 - bike

Traglio breaks down on the connection section

No. 359, TRAGLIO/BARTHOLOME - NISSAN, PRODUCTION
Having suffered a problem with one of the front wheels after 308 km of the connection section, the Italian-Belgian team of Maurizio Traglio and Marc Bartholomé are waiting for their assistance team, in order to repair and re-start the race.

10:14

Slight scare for Vigouroux

No. 328, VIGOUROUX/WINOCQ - CHEVROLET, OPEN
14th in the general rankings after five stages, Eric Vigouroux has had a slight scare this morning when his alternator broke 10 km after leaving Tan Tan. The Frenchman is now waiting for his assistance team, but should arrive as planned at the start of the special stage.

10:07

START OF LIVE COVERAGE

Welcome to all. Terrible weather for the day’s stage with gusting sand storms at the bivouac in Tan Tan, then lots of rain at the border crossing. Nevertheless, the competitors have left the bivouac, at 04.30 GMT as scheduled for the first bike. The special stage starts at 11.05 GMT.

05:42

STAGE 6: TAN TAN - ZOUERAT

817 km, including 394 km against the clock, are on the menu for the sixth stage, which is the longest in the 29th edition of the Dakar. On entering Mauritania for the most difficult stages, the competitors will be faced with the first trackless stretches and the appearance of camel grass. Here more than anywhere else, experience of the desert will count for more than pure performance, which should enable Stephane Peterhansel to continue climbing his way back up the general rankings...

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