Dakar 2009 : Dakar

Breaking news

Times given in G.M.T. -3

17:57 - Truck

Stage 2 summary

Pending validation of the results, Dutchman Gérard De Rooy (Ginaf) won the second special stage, picking up his 11th stage victory on the Dakar as a result and his first in 2009, 2 minutes in front of Russian Firdaus Kabirov (Kamaz) and 8.38 ahead of his team-mate and countryman Marcel Van Vliet (Ginaf). Gérard De Rooy also took the lead in the general standings, 3.58 ahead of Kabirov and 8.36 in front of Van Vliet.

17:54 - Car

Stage 2 summary

Pending validation of the results, Spaniard Carlos Sainz (VW) won his 10th stage on the Dakar and his first of this 31st edition, 1.14 ahead of Frenchman Stéphane Peterhansel (Mitsubishi) and 1.56 in front of South African Giniel de Villiers (VW). Sainz also takes the lead in the general standings and now leads team-mate De Villiers by 2.19, with also a 3.51 lead over Peterhansel. In the Open category, Robby Gordon (Hummer) was triumphant, finishing 10th in the day’s special stage. Lastly, in the Production Category, Japan’s Jun Mitsuhashi (Toyota) was victorious.

17:50 - Bike

Stage 2 summary

Pending validation of the results, Dutchman Frans Verhoeven (KTM) has picked up his first special stage victory on the Dakar, 41" ahead of Frenchman Cyril Despres (KTM) and 1.04 in front of Franc’s David Frétigné (Yamaha), who won the 450cc category. In the general standings, Spaniard Marc Coma (KTM) is still in the lead and is now 13.47 ahead of Holland’s Verhoeven, who leads in the marathon category, and 15.46 in front of American Jonah Street (KTM).

17:47 - Quad

Stage 2 summary

Pending validation of the results, Frenchman Christophe Declerck (Yamaha) was victorious for the 2nd stage running, 2.40 in front of his countryman Hubert Deltrieu (Polaris) and 3.23 ahead of Poland’s Rafal Sonik (Yamaha). As a result, Christophe Declerck strengthens his lead at the top of the general standings, 24.37 ahead of Sonik and 30.35 in front of Deltrieu.

16:17

Memories of Africa...

In a probable homage to Africa, a large zone of fesh-fesh 34 km from the finishing line of the day’s special caught out a good number of competitors, who as a result ending up doing a considerable amount of ‘gardening’…

16:07 - Truck

505 - De Rooy is the provisional stage winner

Now that the first 5 trucks have finished this second stage, Dutchman Gerard De Rooy (Ginaf) seems to have won, 2 minutes ahead of Russian Firdaus Kabirov (Kamaz) and 8.38 in front of Dutchman Marcel Van Vliet (Ginaf). De Rooy also takes the lead in the general standings.

15:57 - Bike

133 - Ambrosio stops...

Suffering from mechanical problems, Brazilian Carlos Ambrosio (KTM) has stopped after around 200 km of the day’s special stage and is awaiting assistance.

15:44 - Car

310 - It’s all over for Masuoka...

As expected, Japan’s Hiroshi Masuoka (Mitsubishi) was not able to start the day’s special stage.

15:17 - Truck

506 - Kabirov is provisional leader at CP2

Now that the first 10 trucks have passed through CP2, Russian Firdaus Kabirov (Kamaz) leads, 1.37 ahead of Dutchman Gerard de Rooy (Ginaf) and 2.23 in front of Czech Alès Loprais (Tatra).

15:03 - Car

301 - First special stage victory for Sainz

Now that the first 9 cars have finished this 2nd special stage, Carlos Sainz (VW) has the best provisional time, 1.14 ahead of Stéphane Peterhansel (Mitsubishi) and 1.56 in front of South African Giniel de Villiers (VW). The Spaniard has also taken the lead in the general standings.

14:39 - Quad

258 - 2 out of 2 for Declerck!

Frenchman Christophe Declerck (Yamaha), the winner of the first special yesterday, has won the day’s special in the quad category, 2.40 ahead of his countryman Hubert Deltrieu (Polaris) and 3.23 in front of Poland’s Rafal Sonik (Yamaha).

14:18 - Truck

505 - De Rooy and Van Vliet neck and neck at CP1

With the first 25 trucks already through CP1, Dutch team-mates Gerard De Rooy (Ginaf) and Marcel Van Vliet (Ginaf) are tied for the lead of the day’s special with the same time of 12.25, 44 seconds ahead of German Franz Echter (MAN).

14:16 - Bike

Amateurs stuck in the sand...

Many amateur bikers have encountered serious difficulties, 2 km after CP2, due to an especially soft portion of sand on the route.

14:15 - Car

300 - Peterhansel provisionally leading at CP2

Now that the first 8 cars have made it through CP2, after 109 km of the special stage, Frenchman Stéphane Peterhansel (Mitsubishi) is in the lead, 1.04 ahead of Spain’s Carlos Sainz (VW) and 1.49 in front of South African Giniel de Villiers (VW).

13:33 - Truck

509 - The trucks are on their way!

The winner of yesterday’s special, Dutchman Marcel Van Vliet (Ginaf), has kicked off proceedings for the day’s truck special, at 09.12, local time, as scheduled and was followed 30" later by his countryman Gerard De Rooy (Ginaf).

13:29 - Quad

255 - Deltrieu leads at CP2

With the first 8 quads through CP2, after 109 km of the day’s special, Frenchman Hubert Deltrieu (Polaris) leads, 2.04 ahead of countryman Christophe Declerck (Yamaha) and 2.58 in front of Spaniard Joan Manuel Gonzales (Yamaha).

13:11 - Bike

1 - Despres in provisional 2nd place for the special

Now that the first 15 bikes have finished the day’s special stage, Frenchman Cyril Despres (KTM) is in 2nd position, 41" behind the provisional winner Frans Verhoeven (KTM), and 23" ahead of David Frétigné (Yamaha), who is now in 3rd position.

13:07 - Car

301 - Sainz provisionally leads at CP1

With the first 8 cars through CP1, Spaniard Carlos Sainz (VW) leads, 16" ahead of Qatari Nasser Al-Attiyah (BMW) and 17" in front of South African Giniel De Villiers (VW).

13:05 - Bike

2 - Coma loses 12 minutes

Leading the special at CP2, Spaniard Marc Coma (KTM) finished the day’s special 12.27 behind the provisional winner, Dutchman Frans Verhoeven (KTM).

12:54 - Bike

15 - Verhoeven is the provisional winner of the special

Now that the first 4 bikes have finished this 2nd special stage, Dutchman Frans Verhoeven (KTM) is in the lead, 1.04 ahead of David Frétigné and his 450cc Yamaha, and 1.51 in front of American Jonah Street (KTM).

12:48 - Car

302 - The cars are on their way!

The winner of yesterday’s special and leader in the general standings, Qatari Nasser Al-Attiyah (BMW) kicked off proceedings for today’s special stage, by starting at 08.33 local time, as scheduled. He was followed 2 minutes later by Spaniard Carlos Sainz (VW).

12:32 - Bike

20 - Lopez provisional 3rd at CP2

Having set off in 130th place this morning, Chilean Francisco Lopez (KTM) went through CP2 in provisional 3rd place, 3.31 behind leader Marc Coma, and 8" ahead of Viladoms who is now in 4th position...

12:29 - Quad

254 - Gonzalez leads at CP1

Now that the first 20 quads have made it through CP1, Spaniard Joan Manuel Gonzalez (Yamaha) leads 20" ahead of Frenchman Hubert Deltrieu (Polaris) and 30" in front of yesterday’s winner Christophe Declerck (Yamaha).

12:04 - Bike

1 - Despres 4th at CP2

With the first 20 bikes already through CP2, title holder Cyril Despres (KTM) is in 4th position, 3.45 behind leader Marc Coma and 6" behind Spanish rider Jordi Viladoms (KTM), who is the new 3rd-placed rider.

12:00 - Bike

1 - Despres perhaps in difficulty...

Frenchman Cyril Despres (KTM) has slowed down after 100 km of the special...

11:53 - Bike

2 - Coma provisionally leads at CP2

With the first 5 bikes through CP2, after 109 km of the day’s special stage, Spaniard Marc Coma (KTM) is the provisional leader, 2.22 ahead of American Jonah Street (KTM) and 3.48 in front of Dutchman Frans Verhoeven (KTM).

11:38 - Bike

208 - Cid de La Paz leads at CP1!

Argentine Fernando Cid De La Paz (Beta), who started in 160th position this morning, has put in the best time at CP1, after 15 km of the special, and leads Spaniard Marc Coma (KTM) by 11 seconds.

11:36 - Car

310 - Masuoka on a breakdown recovery truck!

Hiroshi Masuoka’s Mitsubishi has just left the bivouac at Santa Rosa de La Pampa on the back of a breakdown recovery truck! The Japanese driver’s Racing Lancer was having problems with the distribution chain and engine in general. As a result, Masuoka may not start the day’s special stage.

11:05 - Bike

2 - Coma grabs best provisional time at CP1

With the first 15 bikes through CP1, Spaniard Marc Coma (KTM) is in the lead after 15 km of the day’s special, 13" ahead of Latvian Einars Vinters (KTM) and 23" in front of Dutchman Frans Verhoeven (KTM).

10:44 - Bike

2 - READY, STEADY, GO!

Hello and welcome. After the first stage yesterday, 481 of the 500 crews to start the rally made it through, with the official number of withdrawals totaling 9. As regards the race, Spanish biker Marc Coma (KTM), victorious yesterday and leader of the general standings, was of course the first to get to grips with today’s 236.83-km long special at 06.15 as scheduled.

21:39

STAGE 2: SANTA ROSA DE LA PAMPA – PUERTO MADRYN

With 836.35 km on the menu for the 2nd stage, this is the longest of the 31st Dakar! Fortunately for the competitors, a major portion of the distance will be link routes, with the special only accounting for 236.83 km. Caution will be necessary, however: the timed special stage starts directly from the bivouac, so the participants will not have time to warm up… It will be an opportunity for the most experienced to distinguish themselves on a fast route in the first part, before encountering the first sandy tracks and some navigation at the end of the special. The terrain could enable those who lost out on the first stage, notably Cyril Despres and David Casteu, to climb quickly back up the standings…