Carlos Sainz loses the Dakar lead in a rough third stage

Joan Barreda falls to fifth position on the motorcycle but continues in the fight

MADRID, 3 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Spanish driver Carlos Sainz (Audi) had a rough third stage of the Dakar Rally, disputed between Al-Ula and Ha'Il over 447 kilometers of special, with several mechanical problems that caused him to lose almost an hour and be relegated, in the general , 33 minutes behind the new leader, defending champion Nasser Al-Attiyah (Toyota).

It was not a good day for Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz, despite the fact that the Spanish duo from Audi had good pace at times and came close to saving the day. In the end, various problems and punctures left them in a difficult situation, with 33:11 minutes to save compared to Al-Attiyah.

The good part is that the Qatari and his Toyota Hilux also had problems and, in such a long and hard rally, the tortilla could be turned at any moment by Sainz, who lost the third stage at kilometer 213, coming to a stop with left rear suspension problems.

Over 33 minutes wasted fixing that first problem of the day. Later a certain recovery would come, minimizing the distance lost with an Al-Attiyah who was not comfortable opening the track. In a stage with dirt, stones and sand, the Dakar 2023 claimed another victim this time; that of Carlos Sainz.

The Spaniard had more problems that turned the stage into a continuous challenge. A double puncture, with problems with a nut and the tools, caused the Spaniard (three-time Dakar winner) to finally leave the finish line 35 minutes behind Al-Attiyah.

The winner of the stage, which was shortened (kilometre point 378) also due to inclement weather and lack of safety for the organization's helicopters, was Frenchman Guerlain Chicherit (GKC Motorsport), with a 3:26 margin over South African Henk Lategan. (Toyota) and 5:04 over the Argentine Orlando Terranova (BRX).

The general is led by the Qatari Al-Attiyah, with 13:20 distance from the Saudi Overdrive Al Rajhi, while the Frenchman Stéphane Peterhansel (Audi) is now third at 20:45. For his part, Carlos Sainz drops to eighth position, 33:11 minutes behind his great rival, while Carlos Checa (Astara) is 24th (at 1:24 hours) and Isidre Esteve 32nd (at 1:51 hours).

In the motorcycle category, the Australian Daniel Sanders (GasGas) won the third stage with a margin of 6:19 minutes over the American Skyler Howes (Husqvarna) and 6:59 over the also American and winner of the second stage Mason Klein (BAS). WorldKTM).

The Spanish Joan Barreda (Monster Energy JB Team), who ended the second stage with problems, was able to finish in fifth position, 11:29 behind Sanders, and is now fifth overall, 10:37 behind Sanders, who is the leader with 4 :04 margin over compatriot Klein.