Dakar: Stage seven Zouerat to Atar notes

Zouerat - Atar
Connection: 4 km - Special: 542 km - Connection: 34 km
Total: 580 km

General:

05:36 - STAGE 7: ZOUERAT - ATAR
580 km, including 542 km against the clock, are on the menu for the seventh stage, including sand, sand and more sand, on the tracks and off-track on the dunes. There will also be camel grass and a few fast sections. In fact, it is one of the most varied stages of this 29th edition, but probably one of the most difficult. Experience in the desert will once again be primordial, and in this domain, the Mitsubishi drivers will be favourites... It should be noted that the starting times for the cars and trucks will be merged tomorrow: they will start depending on their scratch time position, irrespective of category, with Dutchman Hans Stacey in 22nd position, for example.

10:22 - moto - START OF LIVE COVERAGE
Welcome to all. The winner of yesterday's special stage, Spaniard Jordi Viladoms was the first to get to grips with today's special stage at 7.30 GMT. The first 20 bikes have already attacked the day's special stage.

Truck:

10:37 - Kamaz thanks Bekx
Russian team Kamaz Master wished to officially express its gratitude and warmest thanks to team 511 of Dutchmen Hans Bekx and Edwin Willems and Belgian Toon Maessen, for coming to the rescue of their team 500 -- Vladimir Chagin, Semen Yakubov and Serguey Savostin -- after their truck rolled over on stage 5. The intervention, which -- according to Firdaus Kabirov Kamaz's team manager proves the high human values and positive attitude of Hans Bekx, is an example for all participants.

General:

10:40 - 21 withdrawals after stage 6
12 bikes, 7 cars and 2 trucks officially withdrew at the end of stage 6 between Tan Tan and Zouerat. i.e. 60, 64, 91, 128, 137, 149, 196, 201, 215, 226, 253, 254, 312, 359, 371, 412, 445, 452, 460, 569 and 585.

Bike:

10:45 - Going round in circles already...
Whilst some 20 bikes have already crossed km 33 of the day's special stage, two groups have formed. If the leaders of the ranking are following the ideal path, 12 competitors, including Portugal's Helder Rodrigues and Corsica's Michel Marchini, have turned on to a track running 9 km from the ideal route.

10:49 - U-turn for Thirifays
Nr 181, ALAIN THIRIFAYS - KTM, MARATHON After a driving mistake on km 12 of
today's special stage, Belgian biker Alain Thirifays hurt his shoulder and went back to the bivouac in Zouerat.

Car:

10:53 - It's a go for the cars' special stage...
Nr 320, GORDON/GRIDER - HUMMER, OPEN
The winner of yesterday's special stage, the American Robby Gordon was the first one to get to grips with today's special stage at 9.02 GMT as scheduled.

Bike:

10:57 - Esteve in the lead (km 139)
Nr 4, ISIDRE ESTEVE - KTM, SUPER PRODUCTION
As the first 4 bikes reached km 139, Spain's Isidre Esteve is virtually in the lead of today's special stage, 2'10 ahead of American Chris Blais and 3'57 ahead of Spaniard Marc Coma.

11:00 - Despres virtually in the lead at km 139
Nr 2, CYRIL DESPRES - KTM, SUPER PRODUCTION
As the first 18 bikes have now passed km 139, France's Cyril Despres has now virtually been clocked in the lead of today's special stage, 1'16 ahead of Chilean Francisco Lopez an 1'37 ahead of Frenchman Thierry Bethys.

General:

11:04 - A hard start for today's special stage...
Many got lost in the very first kilometers of the special stage and are now looking for the right way often having to turn back. Several of them, including Brazilian Jean De Azevedo, have made a 50 km loop before finding the right track.

Car:

11:08 - Sainz virtually in the lead at km 33
Nr 303, SAINZ/PERIN - VOLKSWAGEN, SUPER PRODUCTION
As the first 6 cars have now passed km 33, Spaniard Carlos Sainz, the leader of the overall ranking, was marked as being virtually in the lead of today's special stage, 56" ahead of Qatari Nasser Al-Attiyah and 1'17 ahead of Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel.

Truck:

11:13 - It's a go for the trucks...
Nr 501, STACEY/GOTLIB/DER KINDEREN - MAN
Cars and trucks are getting the go ahead in the order of their cumulated rankings, the truck of Dutchman Hans Stacey, who won yesterday's special stage, was the first one to get to grips with today's special stage at 9.32'30" GMT as scheduled. He was 22nd to start in the order of the cumulated ranking.

Bike:

11:19 - Broken engine for Piroud
Nr 30, ERIC PIROUD - YAMAHA, SUPER PRODUCTION
After breaking his bike's engine at km 139 of today's special stage, French biker Eric Piroud is now waiting for assistance, or -- failing so -- for the broom truck.

11:23 - Despres virtually in the lead at CP1
Nr 2, CYRIL DESPRES - KTM, SUPER PRODUCTION
As the first 9 bikes have now passed CP1 (km 216), Frenchman Cyril Despres has been marked virtual leader of today's special stage, 3'20 ahead of Norway's Pal Anders Ullevalseter and 4'33 ahead of France's David Casteu.

Car:

11:26 - Alphand 2nd at km 33
Nr 300, ALPHAND/PICARD - MITSUBISHI, SUPER PRODUCTION
As the first 40 cars have passed km 33, Frenchman Luc Alphand is now marked 2nd of today's special stage, 54" behind Carlos Sainz and 2" ahead of Nasser Al-Attiyah, now in 3rd position.

11:34 - Trouble for Schlesser
Nr 310, SCHLESSER/DEBRON - BUGGY SCHLESSER, SUPER PRODUCTION
Marked at km 33 some 33'07 behind the virtual leader of special stage 7 Spaniard Carlos Sainz, France's Jean-Louis Schlesser had to stop for repairs after only 10 minutes

Truck:

11:37 - Stacey virtually in the lead at km 33
Nr 501, STACEY/GOTLIB/DER KINDEREN - MAN
As the first 11 trucks have passed km 33, the leader of the overall ranking, Dutchman Hans Stacey was marked virtual leader of the special stage of the day, 1'14 ahead of his compatriot Wulfert Van Ginkel and 1'15 ahead of Russian Ilgizar Mardeev.

Car:

11:51 - More problems for Kleinschmidt
Nr 307, KLEINSCHMIDT/THORNER - BMW, SUPER PRODUCTION
What a hard time for Germany's Jutta Kleinschmidt! After loosing 1h53' yesterday due to an alternator breakdown, the winner of the 2001 edition is now stopped at km 17 of the day's special stage and is trying to repair to be able to go on.

12:00 - Trouble for Jean-Jo...
Nr 326, JEAN-JOSEPH/BOYERE - BUGGY, SUPER PRODUCTION
Holding an excellent 12th position in the general ranking at the start of today's stage 7, Martinique rally driver Simon Jean-Joseph is now unfortunately stopped at km 125 of the special stage and repairing a mechanical problem on the rear wheel of his buggy.

12:06 - Peter virtual leader at km 139
Nr 302, PETERHANSEL/COTTRET - MITSUBISHI, SUPER PRODUCTION
As the first 10 cars have now passed km 139, Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel has been marked as being virtually in the lead of today's special stage, 50" ahead of his teammate and compatriot Luc Alphand and 1'10 ahead of overall ranking leader, Spain's Carlos Sainz.

Bike:

12:22 - Despres virtually in the lead at km 295
Nr 2, CYRIL DESPRES - KTM, SUPER PRODUCTION
As the first 6 bikes passed km 295, Frenchman Cyril Despres was still virtually in the lead of today's special stage, 2'42 ahead of Norwegian Pal Anders Ullevalseter and 4'37 ahead of Frenchman David Casteu.

General:

12:42 - The special stage will end at km 407.6!
According to the race marshals present at CP2 (km 439), a strong sandstorm is blowing on the last kilometers of today's special stage. As helicopters cannot fly in such weather conditions, the race's management has decided -- due to safety concerns -- to remove the last 134 km of the special stage, which will therefore stop at km 407.6. The competitors will then drive on tarmac up to Atar, end of stage 7 and location of tomorrow's rest day.

Car:

12:46 - Peter virtually in the lead at CP 1
Nr 302, PETERHANSEL/COTTRET - MITSUBISHI, SUPER PRODUCTION
After the first 8 cars had passed CP1 (km 216), Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel was virtually in the lead of today's special stage, 1'41" ahead of overall ranking leader, Spaniard Carlos Sainz and 2'06 ahead of Qatari Nasser Al-Attiyah.

Truck:

12:51 - Man trucks driving ahead at km 139
Nr 501, STACEY/GOTLIB/DER KINDEREN - MAN
As the first 7 trucks passed km 139, the leader of the overall ranking, Dutchman Hans Stacey was the virtual leader of the special stage, 1'26 ahead of his French teammate Philippe Jacquot and 3'37 ahead of Dutchman Wulfert Van Ginkel.

13:00 - Rally over for the De Rooy family!
Nr 502, DE ROOY/COLEBUNDERS/SMULDERS - GINAF
Nr 509, DE ROOY/COLSOUL/SLATS - GINAF
After his father Jan De Rooy had to withdraw yesterday, it is now the son, Gerard De Rooy who did not start this morning after finding out at the Zouerat bivouac that his Ginaf truck had a melted cylinder. The De Rooy team is now on its way to Morocco.

Bike:

13:04 - Despres virtually in the lead at km 343
Nr 2, CYRIL DESPRES - KTM, SUPER PRODUCTION
The first 10 bikes have now passed km 343 and Frenchman Cyril Despres has been marked virtually in the lead of today's special stage, 2'36 ahead of Norwegian Pal Anders Ullevalseter and 4'42 ahead of Frenchman David Casteu.

Car:

13:23 - Carapeta gives up...
Nr 393, CARAPETA/CORTICADAS - BOWLER, SUPER ¨PRODUCTION
Portuguese team Lino Carapeta-Ricardo Corticadas has handed in its time card and is now bound for Atar on tarmac.

Bike:

13:36 - Derogation for Delaunay
Nr 137, ALAIN DELAUNAY - HONDA, SUPER PRODUCTION
Arrived late at night at the Zouerat bivouac, French biker Alain Delaunay managed to repair and was authorized by the race marshals to properly take part in today's stage

Car:

13:51 - Somersault for Roma...
Nr 304, ROMA/CRUZ SENRA - MITSUBISHI, SUPER PRODUCTION
After somersaulting at km 295 of the day's special stage -- fortunately without any injuries for either one -- Spaniard Nani Roma and his copilot Lucas Cruz Senra are now trying to repair and hope to be back in the race.

13:54 - Peter virtually in the lead at km 295
Nr 302, PETERHANSEL/COTTRET - MITSUBISHI, SUPER PRODUCTION
As the first 17 cars have now passed km 295, Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel has been marked as being virtually in the lead of today's special stage, 1'22 ahead of overall ranking leader, Spaniard Carlos Sainz and 1'52 ahead of Qatari Nasser Al-Attiyah.

Truck:

13:59 - Jacquot coming back on his leader
Nr 508, JACQUOT/ALCARAZ/VAN GENUGTEN - MAN
As the first 7 trucks passed CP1 (km 216), Frenchman Philippe Jacquot was only 1" behind his teammate and the leader of the overall ranking, Dutchman Hans Stacey, who is still provisional leader of the day's special stage. Ranking third was Russian Ilgizar Mardeev at 4'53.

Bike:

14:28 - A good decision according to bikers...
Interviewed at CP1, all bikers approved of the interruption of the special stage for safety reasons as the strong and gusty winds made riding particularly perilous and physically demanding.

14:45 - Despres provisional winner of stage 7
Nr 2, CYRIL DESPRES - KTM, SUPER PRODUCTION
As the first bikes have reached the end of today's shortened special stage, Frenchman Cyril Despres has for now won its first stage in the 2007 Dakar ahead of Norwegian Pal Anders Ullevalseter. But let's wait and see, because after attending to and waiting with Spaniard Jordi Viladoms, who fell today and broke an arm, American Chris Blais might have his metered time rectified.

Car:

14:49 - De Villiers provisional winner of stage 7
Nr 301, DE VILLIERS/VON ZITZEWITZ - VOLKSWAGEN, SUPER PRODUCTION
As the first 5 cars have reached the end of today's shortened special stage, South-African Giniel De Villiers is the provisional winner 2'46 ahead of France's Stephane Peterhansel and 4'50 ahead of overall ranking leader, Spaniard Carlos Sainz.

Bike:

15:27 - Flat tire for Nazare Santos
Nr 264, JOAO CARLOS NAZARE SANTOS - YAMAHA, QUAD
The winner of stages 2 and 6 in the quad category Joao Carlos Nazare Santos had a flat tire on km 247 of today's special stage. With no assistance and of the opinion that repairs would be too complicated on the track, the Portuguese racer decided to go on like that but should loose precious time in the process.

Car:

15:47 - Major scare for Vatanen...
Nr 308, VATANEN/PONS - VOLKSWAGEN, SUPER PRODUCTION
The quadruple winner of the Dakar, Finnish driver Ari Vatanen is now seeing his hopes of getting to Lake Rose fade away. His Volkswagen Race Touareg is in flames on km 344 of today's special stage; fortunately, the crew came to no harm.

16:15 - Engine broken for Thiam
Nr 426, ABDOU THIAM - BUGGY SMG, SUPER PRODUCTION
Senegalese driver Abdou Thiam broke the engine at km 77 of the day's special stage and is now waiting for his assistance.

17:30 - Suspension problem for Monnet
Nr 425, PHILIPPE MONNET - BUGGY SMG, SUPER PRODUCTION
Victim of a broken suspension on km 299, French skipper Philippe Monnet is waiting to be towed.

Truck:

18:08 - Stacey provisional winner of stage 7
Nr 501, STACEY/GOTLIB/DER KINDEREN - MAN
As the first 8 trucks have now arrived at the end of today's shortened special stage, Dutchman Hans Stacey, leader of the overall ranking, has provisionally won stage 7, 26'52 ahead of his French countryman Philippe Jacquot and 27'57 ahead of the Tatra of the Czech Tomas Tomecek.

Car:

18:41 - Monnet waiting for the broom truck
Nr 425, PHILIPPE MONNET - BUGGY SMG, SUPER PRODUCTION
Due to his suspension breaking at km 299, French skipper Philippe Monnet decided not to be towed and is now waiting for the broom truck.

Bike:

19:27 - Stage 7 summary
Pending validation, Frenchman Cyril Despres (KTM) signs his 15th stage victory on the Dakar, his first in this 29th edition, by completing the 7th special stage in 4h30'42, and finishing 2'46 ahead of Norwegian Pal Anders Ullevalseter and 4'36 ahead of Frenchman David Casteu. Ranking 6th today, Spain's Marc Coma (KTM) nevertheless keeps the lead of the overall ranking, with 10'47 lead over his countryman Isidre Esteve. In the Marathon category, the stage was won by Latvian Janis Vinters (KTM), achieving an excellent 7th-placed scratch time, one position ahead of the winner of the 450cc category, Chilean Francisco Lopez (Honda). Finally, on the quad side, it is Spaniard Carlos Avendano (Suzuki) who won the stage.

Car:

19:28 - Stage 7 summary
Pending validation, South-African Giniel de Villiers (VW) won stage 7 with a time of 4h00'46, 2'46 ahead of Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel (Mitsubishi) and therefore takes the lead in the overall rankings 1'39 ahead of his Spanish teammate Carlos Sainz, who arrived 3rd today 4'50 behind. In the two-wheel drive category, Frenchman Bernard Errandonea (Buggy SMG) won the stage and ended with the 8th-placed scratch time. In the Open category, Robby Gordon (Hummer) wins achieving the 13th-placed scratch time. And finally, in the Production category, Frenchman Paul Belmondo (Nissan) wins the stage and gets the 14th-placed scratch time.

Truck:

19:28 - Stage 7 summary
Pending validation, Dutchman Hans Stacey (Man) won 7th-placed scratch time with a time of 4h51'44, 26'52 ahead of his teammate Philippe Jacquot (Man) and 27'57 ahead of the Czech Tomas Tomecek (Tatra). Dutchman Gerard de Rooy (Ginaf) having had to withdraw today, Stacey is now riding high on top of the overall rankings 2h16'28 ahead of Russian Ilgizar Mardeev (Kamaz).

General:

19:51 - 286 vehicles made it through the special stage
At 18h30 GMT, 166 bikes, 82 cars and 38 trucks had made it through this seventh special stage and were heading to or had already arrived at the Atar bivouac, the finishing point of the 7th stage and location of the rest day.

-credit: dakar.com