Dakar – Guerlain Chicherit winner of the 8th stage

The eighth stage of the Dakar ended yesterday evening in great confusion, the weather conditions having made the route impassable for the competitors following the first crews. Guerlain Chicherit was credited with the victory, the Frenchman behind the wheel of the SMG Buggy finishing four minutes ahead of Orlando Terranova's BMW X3 and five minutes ahead of Robby Gordon's Hummer. Stéphane Peterhansel failed 12'15 behind the scratch time and it was this time which was chosen by the commissioners as the standard time for the other crews.

The ten-time winner of the event is doing well since his rival Nasser Al-Attiyah seemed able to take control of the general classification even if the Qatari driver Red Bull Rally Team had lost a few minutes hesitating which route to choose. The Qatari was unable to reach the finish, his Buggy being blocked by the floods of the rivers. The winner of the 2011 edition was credited with his rival's time and thus remains three minutes behind his opponent for victory. Giniel de Villiers still completes the provisional podium on his Toyota Hilux 44 minutes late.

The crews are enjoying a day of rest before heading back to face the ninth stage tomorrow.