Pending validation by the race stewards, Spaniard Carlos Sainz (VW) was victorious for a second time on a special in the 32nd Dakar, making it the 17th stage triumph of his career on the event. More importantly, with a time of de 3.30:29, “El Matador” beat his main rival for outright victory, his Qatari team-mate Nasser Al-Attiyah (VW), by 52" and his American team-mate Mark Miller (VW) by 4’22. As a result, in the general standings, only 2 stages from the finish in Buenos Aires, Carlos Sainz has a little more breathing space out in front with a lead that now stands at 5’20 over Al-Attiyah. The position is more comfortable for American Mark Miller (VW), who is 3rd at 28’12 behind the race leader and who continues to ensure (for the moment!) a 1-2-3 for the Wolfsburg-based constructor. In the Open category, unsurprisingly American Robby Gordon (Hummer) claimed his 11th triumph out of 12 specials, with the 7th best time of the day. Finally, in the Production category, Japan’s Jun Mitsuhashi won his 8th special on the 32nd edition, by beating Frenchmen Frederic Chavigny (Nissan) and Jean-Pierre Strugo (Nissan) by 7’54 and 9’08 respectively. In the general standings for the category after this 12th special, Japanese driver Mitsuhashi now boasts a lead of 6.31:23 over Spaniard Xavier Foj (Toyota) and 14.02;20 over France’s Chavigny (Nissan).
Bike
Pending validation by the race stewards, Chilean Francisco Lopez Contardo (Aprilia) offered the Italian constructor a 3rd victory on the 32nd Dakar. More importantly, with a time of 3h48’34, “Chaleco” beat Frenchman David Frétigné (Yamaha) by 40" and Norwegian Pal Anders Ullevalseter (KTM) by 1’13. As a result, in the general standings, the Chilean takes over 2nd place, now 1’13 ahead of Ullevalseter and 9’34 in front of Portugal’s Helder Rodrigues (Yamaha), so the composition of the final podium is still far from certain! However, there is no suspense for the identity of the overall victor, because the leader, Frenchman Cyril Despres (KTM) is still way out in front, with a lead that now stands at 1.03:42 over “Chaleco” Lopez.
Truck
Pending validation by the race stewards, the five times winner of the event, Russian Vladimir Chagin (Kamaz) grabbed his 9th stage victory on the Dakar 2010 and the 56th of his career on the event (a record!). With a time of 4h27’14, the “Tsar” beat his countryman and team-mate Firdaus Kabirov (Kamaz) by 1’20. As a result, in the general standings, Chagin is getting closer and closer to a 6th outright triumph on the Dakar with a lead that now stands at 1.13:43 over his faithful lieutenant, Kabirov.
Quad
Pending validation by the race stewards, Christophe Declerck (Polaris) has won his 2nd special stage on the 32nd Dakar. With a time of 4.52:22, the Frenchman beat the older of the Argentinean Patronelli brothers (both Yamaha), Alejandro, by 1’29 and the younger sibling Marcos by 6’00. There is no change in the general standings however, where Marcos Patronelli still boasts a chasm between himself and his pursuers, with a lead that stands at 2.18:34 over his “big brother” Alejandro.
