Dakar – Peterhansel gets some fresh air, Chicherit second

For this 7th stage, between Calama (Chile) and Salta (Argentina), the Dakar cars had an appointment with the Argentinian peaks. A high-flying stage, which was completed entirely at a minimum altitude of 3 meters. At the first check, placed at km 400, it is Guerlain Chicherit who peaks at the top of the time sheet. Very lively since the start of this edition, the former four-time freeride ski world champion has, as usual, made a very good start. Responsible for opening the way, Nasser Al-Attiyah on his Buggy is then second. He is followed very closely by a reinvigorated Robby Gordon on his Hummer and by the leader, Stéphane Peterhansel. All these beautiful people are in a pocket handkerchief, less than a minute away.

74 kilometers later, Guerlain Chicherit and his Buggy SMG are still in the game. But they are no longer in the lead. Nasser Al-Attiyah went ahead. The Qatari is now 23 seconds ahead of the Frenchman. Still in the same minute, Stéphane Peterhansel and Robby Gordon are in ambush. Full throttle from start to finish on an event more impressive due to its altitude than its route, Nasser Al-Attiyah completed his special in 1:49:23. Without knowing it, the Qatari is falling in the ranking, as his direct competitors achieve a much faster second half of the stage.

Stéphane Peterhansel passes in front from the fourth crossing point and reaches the finish line 1 minute and 56 seconds ahead of his main opponent. Guerlain Chicherit did no better and failed 39 seconds behind the winner of the day. It’s a French double. Robby Gordon finished, just like the day before, on the third step of the podium.

In the general classification, Stéphane Peterhansel regains some air and now distances Nasser Al-Attiyah by 3 minutes and 14 seconds. Giniel de Villiers, winner in 2009, is third at 44 minutes.