Al-Attiyah slashes Sainz Dakar lead, Zhou Yong times Chinese best
- Source: Global Times
- [08:53 January 11 2011]
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Zhou Yong in stage seven Photo: Courtesy of Great Wall
Qatar's Nasser Al-Attiyah halved Volkswagen teammate Carlos Sainz's overall lead Monday with a seventh stage win to pave the way for a potential repeat of last year's bad-tempered finale to the event.
Al-Attiyah finished the 273km special from Arica to Antofagasta in 2 hours 40 minutes 57 seconds, with the Spaniard 1 minute 20 seconds behind in second place.
That left Sainz, a former double world rally champion, with a 1 minute 22 seconds overall lead as the gruelling race enters its second and final week.
Twelve months ago, Sainz and Al-Attiyah had a spectacular fall-out when the Qatari, in a desperate, late push for victory, was accused of dangerous tactics by the Spaniard.
On Sunday's rest day, Sainz had insisted the duo had put the past behind them.
"It's like after a football match. All is forgotten," said Sainz. "We are two men who like to win."
"In rallying, I was used to being with the quickest drivers like Didier Auriol, Juha Kankkunen, Colin McRae, Sebastien Loeb. Of course, Nasser will try to win. It's an intense rivalry."
Al-Attiyah admitted he still has to attack if he is to clinch the title next weekend.
Having covered stage five on 20th and stage six on 17th, Zhou Yong of Great Wall got into his stride and recorded the Chinese best-ever stage win Monday, finishing on 15th in 3 hours 44 minutes 56 seconds and rising to No. 19 overall.
The 42-year-old finished the 2005 Dakar on 19th place overall, a Chinese best result that Zhou shared with his compatriot Xu Lang who died in an accident at the Trans Orientale Marathon Rally in 2008.
Chile's Francisco Lopez took the motorcycle honours with France's defending champion Cyril Despres in second and Spanish rider Marc Coma in third.
Agencies - Global Times
