Stéphane Peterhansel: “We are disappointed, but we are learning”

The duo Stéphane Peterhansel – Édouard Boulanger has already lost all ambition in the general classification from the first stage this Sunday January 2. However, the two men were well on their way in this loop to negotiate around Ha'il, in the north of Saudi Arabia. Ranked second after 120 km, just 6 seconds behind Nasser Al-Attiyah, “Monsieur Dakar” tore off his rear axle after 153 km of racing and had to wait for his assistance truck for more than five hours to repair the Audi. RS Q e-tron hybrid. The Frenchman returned to this incident at the end of the stage: “We were a little surprised. There was an impact on the rear wheel, which locked, was damaged and tore off the wishbone. We weren't surprised by a stone: there was a sort of wave with stones inside. Our speed was good, we were not in 'attack mode'. Normally, it should pass. We've probably never had this in testing. We are obviously disappointed but we are learning, even if it is expensive..." Definitely difficult day for Audi since Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz also lost several hours finding their way at kilometer 261.

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