Step 6 – Sainz-Cruz’s reaction, the struggle continues for Loeb-Elena

You should never underestimate a matador, even when hit. This is the lesson that wanted to teach Carlos Sainz and his navigator Lucas Cruz (Mini) by winning the sixth stage of the Dakar 2021 between Al Qaisumah and Ha'il, this Friday January 8.

The Spaniards, outgoing winners, got lost several times last Tuesday and Thursday, angering the double world rally champion over the supposed “lottery” of navigation this year.

But at 58 years old, the Madrilenian did not give up his arms and went back into battle, and what a step! Starting in ninth place, the Mini John Cooper Works Buggy attacked on a special stage shortened by around a hundred kilometers pour raisons de sécurité afin de coller 4’03’’ à son plus proche poursuivant, le revenants Yazeed Al-Rajhi et Dirk Von Zitzewitz (Toyota).

Even more impressive, the duellists for the final victory, Nasser Al-Attiyah-Mathieu Baumel (Toyota) and Stéphane Peterhansel-Édouard Boulanger (Mini) conceded respectively 7'16'' and 7'34''. Mathieu Baumel wanted to arrive at the rest day only 3' behind the leading Mini; it missed. He accompanies the Qatari at 5'53'' from the leaders overall.

Moreover, we cannot put aside the ambitions of the winning crew of the day. Positioned in third place, here they are "only" 40'39" behind their colleagues from the German X-Raid team, one week before the arrival in Jeddah...

Surprise winners Thursday, Giniel de Villiers and Alex Haro (Toyota) came back into line by losing 22'20'', behind two more consistent South Africans, Brian Baragwanath and Taye Perry (Century).

Serradori and Loeb struggle

The mixed crew is also the most consistent and efficient Century in this first section of the event. The 2020 revelations, Mathieu Serradori and Fabian Lurquin, in fact conceded 12h10'37'' (!) after an incredible day of struggles on Thursday but were able to leave this morning.

Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena (Bahrain Raid Xtreme) should also discuss with their Franco-Belgian counterparts. The nine-time world rally champions have broken wishbone at km 97 and are patient until their assistance truck arrives at their level.

Finally, it is still better than Orlando Terranova and Bernardo Graue (Mini JCW). The Argentinians' 4×4 died during the stage and cannot be repaired according to the driver. “The problems (are) difficult to resolve,” he wrote, while he was sailing in eighth place in the rally.

Due to technical problems we could not do the stage. Difficult solution problems. I think the Dakar is over for us ... sorry that we cannot continue but the regulations are to be fulfilled pic.twitter.com/GGMw0ml1Jz

- Orly Terranova (@terranovaorly) January 8, 2021

Stage classification:

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