Dakar 2009 - Cars: Al-Attiyah pulls clear

Eurosport - Fri, 09 Jan 00:07:00 2009

Nasser Al-Attiyah increased his overall lead more than three-fold on day six of the Dakar Rally - but only after he missed a way point.

Rally Raid 2009 Dakar 2009 - Al Attiyah - 0

Al-Attiyah, who began the day 2 minutes 24 seconds ahead of Giniel de Villiers, completed the shortened 178 km run between San Rafael to Mendoza in 2 hours 7 minutes 26 seconds. That was good enough to allow the BMW man to stretch his overall lead to 7 minutes 31 seconds.

However, due to an overheating engine, he later admitted to having missed a way point and as such he may be penalised by the stewards.

"We missed a way point," he confirmed. "Due to the engine overheating, we couldn't go through the dunes. The temperature rose. The engine stopped and I preferred to choose a different route and avoid the dunes.

"When we push too hard, the engine temperature gets too high. It should have been repaired yesterday. If we can't repair this problem, then we won't be able to carry on. It is bad news, but we'll have to wait and see."

de Villiers was 'best of the rest', 5 minutes 7 seconds slower, while Mark Miller was third and Carlos Sainz fourth.

"It was quite tricky in the beginning in the dunes," said de Villiers. "A few times we had to turn around because we couldn't make it up some dunes. In some places it was very soft. If it hadn't rained last night, it would have been really, really tricky.

"The end of the stage was quite easy. In the Dakar, every day you have to finish the stage without problems and so far the Touareg is going very well. We've had no problems so far. There's still a week to go, so we need to keep it there in terms of our speed and reliability."

Mitsubishi's Stephane Peterhansel and Nani Roma completed the top six.

Luc Alphand meanwhile had to withdraw his Lancer after his co-driver, Gilles Picard fell ill at the 12 km mark. He was evacuated to Mendoza, although fortunately the doctors reported it was nothing serious.

AFP

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  1. Surely your lead headline "Dakar 2009 - Cars: Al-Attiyah pulls clear"
    applicable for Friday 9th January should be changed since is two days out pof date and is now DQ'd!!!!!

    From welshcol, on Sun 11 Jan 1:14PM

  2. For as much as i love the Dakar series ,i cant help thinking how much better it really was when it started in Paris and finnished in the Dakar, and i misss that..I hope they can ever get it sorted and run the Paris-Dakar again, cos to me they only stopped rinning it throughout Africa for political reasons...

    From NUNO R, on Sun 11 Jan 10:52AM

  3. Go South Africa!!

    From Nico l, on Thu 8 Jan 11:34PM

  4. I think it's a bit harsh to disqualify Al Attyah...maybe a 1 hour penalty would be more suitable...at least let him finish the race!

    From axegrinder6543, on Thu 8 Jan 10:27PM

  5. Go Robby Gordon !

    From ralph c, on Thu 8 Jan 9:51PM

  6. i used to follow these but don't care anyone.. im suprised to see bmw breaking the volkswagen and mitshubishi stronghold. if decide to stage it here again next year, they better call it buenos aires 2010

    From melaniejhutton, on Thu 8 Jan 9:32PM

  7. Google planet robby for the best Robby Gordon dakar coverage...

    From bobbychuck, on Thu 8 Jan 8:36PM

  8. Hi Carlton from Dot Jones-tell kaj145rpm that my mate Gio Sala decided he is now too old for the Dakar. Just loves working for the FIM checking out the courses for the World Enduro rounds. He is such a lovely man and I have his shirt from the ISDE in Taupo(still sweaty). Great coverage on the Tv but a little too much VW-lets see the Desert Warriors, al lBritish built and going well. Greenie and Matt are in good hands and we are all thinking about them.

    From jonesdorothy70, on Thu 8 Jan 2:52PM

  9. Cmon Peterhansel. You can do it. Despite being very far behind i never lose faith in him. In 2007 he was behind too but with a great combination of luck and skill he won so he can do it again

    From martin.mitevski26, on Thu 8 Jan 8:56AM

  10. Hi Polish fans in Chicago! Trzymajcie kciuki za Dąbrowskiego, bo jeszcze jest w drodze:)

    From aneczka00, on Wed 7 Jan 10:07PM

  11. Hallo from Polish fans in Chicago. Eurosport is not aired here but in Internet age we manage to watch each days programs.
    Great coverage and thanks
    Greg555

    From keith.dick, on Wed 7 Jan 9:32PM

  12. Hallo
    Dakar is cool.

    From keith.dick, on Wed 7 Jan 9:19PM

  13. I'm an open minded girl from US, I'm interested in exotic things, photography, dating and sports...I have my photos on --- Tallhub Co m ---, I love tall guys!
    Do you love traveling and have some experience? Just find me out.

    From Xioasd S, on Wed 7 Jan 5:24PM

  14. Hi Carlton
    Great coverage, but would like to see more of the action during the actual stages.
    I must commend you and the person who does the interviews on your language skills.
    Our condolences to the family and friends of Pascal and we hope the two Brits get well soon and that there are no lasting injuries to either of them.

    From Alfie & Giniel fan, on Wed 7 Jan 2:28PM

  15. Having just joined the site I am so sorry to read about the lose of Pascal and to also read that Matt and Paul have had a serious crash. I am sure that I speak for all lovers of the Dakar when I say that I wish to offer my condolences to Pascal's family and friends and wish Matt and Paul a speedy recovery.
    As a biker along with the TT, NW200 Irish Road racers all the Dakar competitors are among my heroes and i wish everyone a safe journey to the end.My day seems to be spent just waiting for 10pm when I can get more of my addiction.

    Carlton thank you and your Team for giving us such great coverage.

    Ted Edwards ( UK)

    From ted.edwards38, on Wed 7 Jan 12:39PM

  16. Followed the Dakar on Eurosport for many years now and it's great to see it back in a safe environment, although the stages look to be just as tough!!

    Great to see Europort coverage extended, it's a fantastic event and I would love to take part in it in any capacity.

    Keep the up the excellent commentary Carlton and more techincal details on the cars please, they look like real high tech machines now.

    ps what happened to 'Sala', I still sing it to my kids at every break!!

    From kaj45rpm, on Wed 7 Jan 12:35PM

  17. Horrible accident. You can never make cars 100% safe, not even 90% safe.

    From Half A Brain, on Wed 7 Jan 8:44AM

  18. Hi Carlton & all .Thought I'd miss the sand dunes when I heard Dakar was swapping continents,must say the dust more than makes up for it! Great scenery so far, should be fun when they start climbing Andes! Keep ypur foot down on the loud pedal Carlos,most important message though is to Matt and Paul: get well very soon.

    From mondeoman42, on Tue 6 Jan 10:50PM

  19. To Mary and her family,

    So sorry to hear about your Dad, good though that you now know at least how they are and where they are. Our prayers are with them for a full recovery and safe return to you all. I like all, am sure that they are in good hands and can be moved to Buenos Aires very soon, have courage May good fortune shine upon all the drivers in this event.

    Just watching the Eurosport report and they have just given Paul and Matt a mention to get well soon and that our thoughts be with them they are reporting that they are stable. Good News.

    From richard_bickley, on Tue 6 Jan 10:16PM

  20. I have followed the Dakar for many years and I must say a big "Thank You" to Carlton for the knowledgeable manner he presents the programme.
    Best of luck to all out there and I look forward to the rest of the spectacle.

    From maryboro, on Tue 6 Jan 9:08PM
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