Stage 7 - Friday 8 January 2010 | Iquique > Antofagasta
- Connection 37 km
- Special 600 km
- Connection 4 km
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Breaking news
Breaking news
Times given in G.M.T. -3
1 - Coma penalised
Alerted by several riders due to heavy suspicion of illegal assistance in a neutralised section of the stage leading to Antofagasta, the race stewards have decided to penalise Marc Coma. The Catalan is said to have changed a wheel before starting the second part of the stage, using a new tire that can be subjected to much more intense use. But, according to the terms of article 18-4 of the Dakar’s rules, only assistance between competitors is allowed during racing time. Convinced by images taken by France Televisions, the stewards handed out a six hour penalty to Coma, who in turn denies what seems to be blatantly true to many. He is contemplating withdrawing from the race and may not be at the start after the day of rest.
Stage 7 summary
Pending validation by the race marshalls, Qatari driver Nasser Al-Attiyah (VW) gets his second stage victory in this 32nd Dakar, his sixth stage victory in any Dakar by arriving 3’29 ahead of French driver Stéphane Peterhansel (BMW)and 4’21 ahead of his teammate Spain’s Carlos Sainz (VW)… No worries however for "El Matador" in the overall standings as the two-time rally world champion in 90 and 92 now has - mid-race - an 11’03 lead on Al-Attiyah and a 22’06 on his teammate US driver Mark Miller, which keeps three Race Touaregs in the three first places in the standings! As for "Peter", he is now 2h03’10 behind the raid leaders in the standings...
Stage 7 summary
Pending validation by the race marshalls, Frenchman Cyril Despres (KTM) gets his second stage victory in this 32nd Dakar, his 22nd in a Dakar. With a time of 6h34’14, the already comfortable leader in the overall standings beat his biggest rival, Spaniard Marc Coma (KTM)by 29" and his countryman David Frétigné (Yamaha) by 5’00. By a way of consequence, at mid-race, Cyril Despres is more than comfortable leader with a 1h06’50 lead on Spain’s Marc Coma (KTM) and a 1h20’08 lead on Portugal’s Helder Rodrigues (Yamaha)…
Stage 7 summary
Pending validation by the race marshalls, five-Dakar winner Russian driver Vladimir Chagin (Kamaz) has won today his sixth stage victory in seven special stages on this 2010 Dakar and his 53rd in total on a Dakar (8), which allows him to equate the absolute record held by Stéphane Peterhansel! At the finish Chagin arrived today 25’35 ahead of his teammate and countryman Firdaus Kabirov (Kamaz)… In the standings mid-race, the "Tsar" Chagin is leisurly in the lead with now a 1h03’46 lead over his closest contender and faithful lieutenant Kabirov. Needless to say that Chagin can now dream of equating another record: the six Dakar final victory record held by Czech driver Karel Loprais.
Stage 7 summary
Pending confirmation by the race marshalls, Argentine rider Alejandro Patronelli (Yamaha) wins today his second stage on the 2010 Dakar by being fastest on this seventh stage of the 32nd edition of the Dakar. With a time of 8h10’22, the oldest of the Patronelli brothers arrived 3’30 ahead of his younger brother Marcos (Yamaha) and 30’13 ahead of Polish rider Rafal Sonik (Yamaha)... Hence, in the standings, at mid-race, Marcos Patronelli is now way ahead with a 2h22’25 lead on his older brother Alejandro and a 4h59’53 lead on his countryman Sebastian Halpern (Yamaha).
302 - Gordon back on track
Victime of a mechanical problem, US driver Robby Gordon (Hummer) has to stop for almost two hours and repair on km 480 of today’s special stage. The NASCAR driver has just gone back on track and is now driving at normal speed toward the finish line.
501 - Chagin final equals "Peter"’s record...
The first two trucks have just completed today’s stage 7 and Russian driver Vladimir Chagin (Kamaz) wins the day 25’35 ahead of his teammate and countryman Firdaus Kabirov (Kamaz). By a way of consequence, the "Tsar" takes off in the lead and is now 1h03’46 ahead of his first lieutenant. But more importantly this stage victory allows him to ’finally’ equal Frenchman Stéphane Peterhansel (BMW) and co-hold the record of stage victories on the Dakar with 53 wins for both men.
277 - Mission accomplished for Alejandro...
The two first quads have reached the finish of stage 7 and it is - logically - Argentine rider Alejandro Patronelli (Yamaha), en in the lead since the very first CP of the day - who gets here his second stage victory of the rally raid 3’30 ahead of his younger brother Marcos Patronelli (Yamaha).... A performance that - combined with the misfortunes of his countryman Santamarina(Can-Am) today - allow the older of the Patronelli brothers to get to second place in the overall standings but already 2h22’25 behind his "baby brother", who remains more than ever leader in the standings...
258 - Third time for Declerck at km 509
The five first have now cleared km 509 of the day’s special stage and if Argentine rider Alejandro Patronelli (Yamaha) is still in the lead 3’28 ahead of his younger brother Marcos (Yamaha), it is now French rider Christophe Declerck (Polaris) who is in third place provisionally 32’47 behind the leader.
306 - Al-Attiyah switches to sixth... victory!
The first four cars have just reached the finish of stage 7th and Nasser Al-Attiyah (VW) is the winner; this is his sixth stage victory in a Dakar, his first one in 2010... The Qatari arrived 3’29 ahead of Frenchman Stéphane Peterhansel (BMW) and 4’21 ahead of the standings leader Carlos Sainz (VW). More importantly by beating his US teammate Mark Miller by 8’40, Nasser is now solid holder of the second place in the overall standings 11’03 behind Sainz, but 11’03 ahead of Miller.
306 - Al-Attiyah on the road to a first stage victory in 2010
The first three cars have cleared the km 581 marker of today’s special stage and Nasser Al-Attiyah (VW) is still in the lead. More importantly, the Qatari driver now has a 3’08 lead over Frenchman Stéphane Peterhansel (BMW) and a 4’47 lead over the standings leader Spain’s Carlos Sainz (VW).
505 - First warning signal for Kamaz!
If leader in the standings and Russian driver Vladimir Chagin (Kamaz) seems on the right track to win a sixth stage in this 32nd Dakar edition - he had a 1’23 lead on his first lieutenant Firdaus Kabirov (Kamaz) at CP5 (km 355) -, his teammate and countryman Ilgizar Mardeev (Kamaz) has been stranded for more than 90 minutes at km 257 of the day’s special stage and is doing repairs.
277 - Patronelli slows down
Probably informed of the misfortunes of his main rival of the day, Spaniard Gonzalez Corominas (Yamaha) who ranked third in the overall standings at the start this morning, Argentinean rider Alejandro Patronelli (Yamaha) a slowed down the pace on the track and only had a 2’03 lead over his younger brother Marcos (Yamaha) and an 18’17 lead over Polish rider Rafal Sonik (Yamaha).
306 - Al-Attiyah drives the nail home...
The first four cars have cleared km 509 of the day’s special stage and Qatari driver Nasser Al-Attiyah (VW) is still in the lead with best provisional time now 1’47 ahead of Frenchman Stépahne Peterhansel (BMW) 4’46 ahead of the leader in the overall standings Spain’s Carlos Sainz (VW).
12 - Provisional third place for Frétigné
More bikes have now reached the end of this seventh stage and French rider David Frétigné (Yamaha) is provisional third best time of the day 5’00 behind the day’s winner and - more than ever - leader in the standings Cyril Despres (KTM).
2 - Best provisional time for Despres
The two first bikes have now reached the end of today’s stage 7 and it is for the time being French rider Cyril Despres (KTM) who has the best time 29" ahead of Spanish rider Marc Coma (KTM).
306 - Al-Attiyah takes the lead at km 448!
The first five cars have passed the km 448 marker of today’s special stage and Qatari Nasser Al-Attiyah (VW) now holds the best provisional time 44" ahead of Stéphane Peterhansel (BMW) and 5’11 ahead of the leader in the overall standings Spaniard Carlos Sainz (VW).
306 - The battle rages inside the VW clan...
Respectiveky ranking second and third of the overall standings in the car catégory this morning at the start of the special stage and only 2’17 apart, both teammates Nasser Al-Attiyah (VW) and Mark Miller (VW) are not letting one another off lightly. It seems like the US driver would have blocked the Qatari on today’s track before the latter finally managed to pass him after losing precious seconds - if not minutes - stuck behind his teammate!...
256 - 52’ delay for Gonzalez Corominas at CP5
Third in the overall standings at the start of the stage this morning but victim of a breakdown at km 339, Spanish rider Juan Manuel Gonzalez Corominas (Yamaha) just cleared CP5 (km 355), 52’04 behind stage leader Alejandro Patronelli (Yamaha). The Spaniard is therefore losing - at this point - his thrid place on the podium to the benefit of Alejandro.
1 - Coma back in the lead
The first four bikes have now reached km 509 of today’s special stage and Spaniard Marc coma (KTM) is again granted best time 13" ahead of French rider David Frétigné (Yamaha) and 3’13 ahead of the leader in the overall standings Cyril Despres (KTM).
277 - The objective is still reachable for Alejandro
The first five quads have reached CP5 (km 355) of today’s stage. Argentina’s Alejandro Patronelli (Yamaha) still leads the stage, 3’19 ahead of his "little brother" Marcos (Yamaha), 21’26 ahead of Poland’s Rafal Sonik (Yamaha)... Moreover, Alejandro Patronelli’s main rival to access the top 3 of the overall standings, Spain’s Juan Manuel Gonzales Corominas (Yamaha), had to stop at km 339 where he has already spent 10 minutes.
301 - "Peter" still in the lead at CP5
The first four cars have reached CP5 (km355) on today’s stage. Frenchman Stéphane Peterhansel (BMW) has the best provisional time with a 1’45 lead over Qatari driver Nasser Al-Attiyah (VW) and 4’17 ahead of US driver Mark Miller (VW).
12 - Frétigné in the lead at CP6
As the first 5 bikes have cleared CP6(km448), French rider David Frétigné (Yamaha) is now best provisional time 38" ahead of Spaniard Marc Coma (KTM) and - hence - 1’22 ahead of "Chaleco" (Aprilia).
1 - Coma back in the lead at CP6
As the three first bikes have now reached CP6 located at km 448 of today’s special stage, Spaniard Marc Coma (KTM) was timed with the best provisional clock. The title holder was 44" ahead of Chile’s Francisco Lopez Contardo (Aprilia) and 3’38 ahead of the leader in the overall standings Frenchman Cyril Despres (KTM).
12 - Frétigné provisionally second fastest at CP5
The first 12 bikes have now passed CP5 located at the km 355 marker of the day’s special stage and Frenchman David Frétigné (Yamaha) is now second best time 2’40 behind the leader "Chaleco" Lopez Contardo (Aprilia), but 52" ahead of Ullevalseter (KTM) now ranking third.
9 - "Chaleco" best time at CP5
The first five bikes have now cleared CP5 located at km 355 of today’s special stage and it is now Chilean rider Francisco Lopez Contardo (Aprilia) who is in the lead with best provisional time. "Chaleco" is 3’32 ahead of Norwegian rider Pal Anders Ullevalseter (KTM), and 4’28 ahead of Spanish rider Marc Coma (KTM).
Awaiting km 355...
After the race neutralisation foreseen on today’s special stage between km 177 and km 228, the leaders in the four categories are now back on the against-the-clock section and are now racing towards CP5 (km 355) of today’s special stage...
301 - "Peter" takes the lead on km 141
The first 8 cars have cleared km 141 of today’s special stage and it is again Frenchman Stéphane Peterhansel (BMW) who is in the lead 2’12 ahead of Qatari Nasser Al-Attiyah (VW), and 5’17 ahead of US driver Mark Miller (VW).
501 - Chagin... as usual
After winning 5 of the 6 special stages already in this 32nd edition of the Dakar and ending up solid leader in the overall standings, Russia’s Vladimir Chagin (Kamaz) checked in the lead at CP2 (km 79) of today’s special stage. The "Tsar" was respectively 4’39 and 4’43 ahead of his two countrymen and teammates Ilgizar Mardeev second and Firdaus Kabirov third.
306 - Al-Attiyah in the lead at CP2
The first 8 cars have now cleared CP2 located at the km 79 marker of today’s special stage and it is now Qatari driver Nasser Al-Attiyah (VW) who is in the lead with the best time 13" ahead of Stéphane Peterhansel (BMW) and 2’46 ahead of his teammate Spanish driver Carlos Sainz (VW).
301 - Peterhansel in the lead at CP1
As the first 5 cars have now cleared CP1 (km 63) of the day’s special stage, Frenchman Stéphane Peterhansel (BMW)gets the best provisional time just 6 short seconds ahead of Qatari Nasser Al-Attiyah (VW) and 2’19 ahead of the leader in the standings Spain’s Carlos Sainz (VW).
501 - IT’S A GO FOR TRUCKS!
Starting 11th of the car/truck pack, the leader in the overall standings in the truck category, Russian driver Vladimir Chagin (Kamaz) started the day’s special stage at 9:22AM as per schedule. The "Tsar" was followed 7 minutes later by his countryman and teammate Firdaus Kabirov (Kamaz) who - for the anecdote - started 18th of the car/truck pack just before US driver Robby Gordon and his Hummer.
277 - Alejandro has already gained 14’01"...
The first 8 quads just cleared CP2 (km 79) of today’s special stage and Argentinean Alejandro Patronelli (Yamaha) is still in the lead with the best time 3’20 of his brother Marcos (Yamaha) and 9’49 ahead of his countryman Santamaroina (Can-Am). More importantly Alejandro already had a 14’01 lead at CP2 on his main rival for third place on the podium, Spanish rider Gonzalez Corominas (Yamaha).
301 - IT’S A GO FOR CARS!
The winner of yesterday’s sixth stage, Frenchman Stéphane Peterhansel (BMW) has started the day’s special stage at 9:03 as per schedule and was followed two minutes later by the leader in the overall standings, Spanish driver Carlos Sainz.
277 - Alejandro Patronelli: his mission... third place
After a superb return in yesterday’s stage 6, Argentine rider Alejandro Patronelli (Yamaha) intends to get back on the provisional podium before the rest day and to this end he must regain about 40’ today from Spanish rider Gonzalez Corominas (Yamaha). It is therefore logical to find the older of the Patronelli brothers in the lead of today’s special stage as the three first quads have now cleared CP1 (km 63). Alejandro was ahead of his younger brother and leader in the general standings Marcos (Yamaha) by 3’29, and ahead of his countryman Jorge Miguel Santamarina (Can-Am) by 8’54.
12 - Provisional second fastest time for Frétigné at CP2
Three more bikes have now cleared CP2 (km 79) of the day’s special stage and it is now French rider David Frétigné (Yamaha) who gets provisionally the second fastest time 1’14 behind the Norwegian stage leader so far Ullevalseter (KTM), but also 1’13 ahead of this teammate and fellow countryman Olivier Pain (Yamaha), who gets provisional third place.
4 - Stable gap at CP2
The first 5 bikes have now cleared CP2 (km 79) of today’s special stage and Norwegian rider Pal Anders Ullevalseter (KTM) is still in the lead with the best time 2’36 ahead of "Chaleco" Lopez Contardo (Aprilia) and 3’52 ahead of Portugal’s Rodrigues (Yamaha).
4 - Ullevalseter in the lead at CP1
The first 8 bikes have now cleared CP1 (km63) of the day’s special stage and Norwegian rider Pal Anders Ullevalseter (KTM) is in the lead 2’20 ahead of Chile’s Francisco Lopez Contardo (Aprilia) and 3’47 ahead of Portuguese rider Helder Rodrigues (Yamaha).
1 - READY, STEADY, GO!
Good morning to all. At the end of stage 6 yesterday 235 teams - 99 bikes, 16 quads, 78 cars and 42 trucks - were granted permission to start today’s stage 7. Yesterday’s winner in the bike category, Spanish rider Marc Coma (KTM) kicked off the day’s stage at 7:10AM as per schedule. The title holder was followed two minutes later by the leader in the overall standings, Frenchman Cyril Despres (KTM).
STAGE 7 : IQUIQUE – ANTOFAGASTA
641 km are on the menu of stage 7 including 600 km (!) against the clock, i.e. the longest stage in this 32nd edition. No chance of boredom however for the contenders who will have to face the most versatile route of the Dakar this year. The stage will start with 40km of sand dunes; then contenders will hit brittle or even very brittle terrain and even a 3km "Salar" (salt flat) they will need to cross and where it will be hard to drive faster than 10 km/h!... Other peculiarity of stage 7 is the neutralization of the race at km 177 for a 50-km liaison on asphalt to drive around a natural reserve. The contenders will start racing again at km 227, with a fast track cut off by windy sections and some off-track on rocks... In a nutshell a particularly varied menu with a lot of spicy parts just before the rest day, which allowed the organizers to push the end to 6:00PM the next day so that a maximum number of contenders would have the opportunity to reach Antofagasta within the time limits and go on with their rally raid.
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