Al-Attiyah takes lead from Sainz

• Source: Global Times
• [08:49 January 12 2011]
• Comments

"In the last section of dunes we were pushing at a maximum because that was where we had to take the time from Sainz."

France's Stephane Peterhansel however lost all chance of winning a tenth Dakar title with his BMW overheating as he also suffered the eighth puncture of this year's race leaving him nearly an hour off the pace.

China's Zhou Yong in his Great Wall continued his imposing run of form in the desert, finishing 16th in 8 hours 36 minutes 1 second and rising to No. 17 overall, a Chinese best-ever Dakar result.

Having ended a disappointing stage 7 in 77th, Zhou Yuande, who is favorite to win this year's rookie award, finished in 28th and caught up to No. 32 overall.

In the motorcycle section, overall race leader Marc Coma of Spain rode to victory in the 508km special on a 776km run, finishing 1 minute 55 seconds ahead of French KTM teammate and defending champion Cyril Despres, who is second overall 9 minutes 19 seconds behind the Spaniard.

"It was a hard stage and very long with plenty of mileage and dunes," said Coma after his third stage victory in this year's race put him closer to a third Dakar title.

"I was happy about the pace today. It was a good stage after a complicated one Tuesday. But in the end, everything turned out fine."

Agencies - Global Times