Step 1 – Peterhansel awaits assistance!

Stéphane Peterhansel and Édouard Boulanger knew full well that their first rally-raid aboard the Audi RS Q e-tron hybrid would not be a walk in the park in the Saudi desert. But the defending Dakar crew has already lost all ambition in the general classification from the first stage this Sunday, January 2.

“Monsieur Dakar” was nevertheless off to a good start in this loop around Ha'il in the north of the country. Ranked second after 120 km, just 6 seconds behind Nasser Al-Attiyah, the Frenchman tore off his rear axle after 153 km and had to wait for his assistance truck to repair the 4×4. Which means a wait of at least an hour. More information to come on AUTOhebdo.com.