Stage 8 Antofagasta to Copiapo notes

Stage 8 - Antofagasta to Copiapo
Sunday, January 10

* Liaison : 96 km
* Speciale : 472 km
* Liaison : 0 km
* Total : 568 km

Breaking news per ASO Dakar website:
Times given in G.M.T. -3

17:43 - Car
Stage 8 summary

Pending validation by the race stewards, Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel (BMW) walked away with his 3rd stage victory on this 32nd edition, his 21st in a car, but more importantly his 54th (a record) on the Dakar in all categories. With a time of 5.06:05, "Peter" beat the leader of the general standings Spaniard Carlos Sainz (VW) by 45" and American Mark Miller (VW) by 1'07. There is no change, however, in the general standings, where "El Matador" Sainz is still out in front with a lead that now stands at 14'35 over his team-mate, Qatari Nasser Al-Attiyah (VW), and 22'28 over another team-mate, American Mark Miller, which means that 3 Race Touaregs still occupy the first 3 places! As regards "Peter", he is in 4th position, 2.02:25 behind the leader. In the Open category, there was another stage victory, the 7th out of 8 stages, for American Robby Gordon and his Hummer. Lastly, in the production category, the title holder, Frenchman Nicolas Gibon (Toyota), picked up a 2nd stage victory in 2010, 42" ahead of his Japanese team-mate Jun Mitsuhashi (Toyota) and still comfortably leading his category in the general standings.

17:35 - Bike
Stage 8 summary

Pending validation by the race stewards, Chilean Francisco Lopez Contardo gave a 2nd special stage victory to the Italian constructor Aprilia on the 32nd Dakar, his 3rd personal triumph in the event. With a time of 5.29:25, "Chaleco", as he is known in the bivouac, beat Spaniard Marc Coma (KTM) by 42" and Norwegian Pal Anders Ullevalseter (KTM) by 1'22. The consequences for the general standings, dramatically shaken by the 6-hour penalty handed out yesterday to Marc Coma for illegal assistance on the 7th special, are that Frenchman Cyril Despres remains very comfortably out in front with a lead that now stands at 1.20:31 over Norway's Ullevalseter, the new 2nd-placed rider, and 1.24:21 over Chilean Francisco "Chaleco" Lopez.

17:29 - Truck
Stage 8 summary

Pending validation by the race stewards, the five times winner of the event, Russian Vladimir Chagin (Kamaz) grabbed his 7th victory out of 8 specials on the Dakar 2010 and more importantly his 54th in the event (!), equalling the record set earlier in the day by Stephane Peterhansel! Chagin today beat his team-mate and countryman Firdaus Kabirov (Kamaz) by 12'26. As a result, in the general standings, the "Tsar" now boasts a lead of 1.16:12 over his faithful lieutenant, Kabirov.

17:26 - Quad
Stage 8 summary

Pending validation by the race stewards, Argentinean Marcos Patronelli (Yamaha) picked up his 3rd stage victory on the Dakar 2010 by winning the 8th special of this 32nd edition. With a time of 7.25:38, the younger of the Patronelli brothers beat his older sibling Alejandro (Yamaha) by 56" and Frenchman Christophe Declerck (Polaris) by 2'35. There is no change in the general standings, where Marcos Patronelli is way out in front with a lead of 2.23:21 over his "big brother" Alejandro and 3.27:29 over Spaniard Juan Manuel Gonzalez Corominas (Yamaha).

16:50 - Truck
501 - Chagin copies "Peter"!

Just like Stephane Peterhansel, his rival in the fight for the absolute record of special stage victories on the Dakar, Russian Vladimir Chagin (Kamaz) also grabbed his 54th stage triumph on the event today. With a time of 5.41:35, the "Tsar" beat his faithful lieutenant and countryman Firdaus Kabirov (Kamaz) by 12'26, picking up his 7th victory out of 8 special stages on this year's rally.

16:10 - Quad
251 - Number 3 for Marcos

The first 4 quads have just finished the 8th special stage and quite logically the leader of the general standings, Argentinean Marcos Patronelli (Yamaha) has won, grabbing his 3rd stage victory on this 32nd edition, 56" ahead of his older brother Alejandro (Yamaha) and 2'35 in front of Frenchman Christophe Declerck (Polaris).

15:50 - Truck
501 - The "Kamaz" routine continues

Now that the first 3 trucks have completed 396 km of the day's special, the "Tsar", Russian Vladimir Chagin (Kamaz) still boasts the best provisional time, 8'10 ahead of his faithful lieutenant and countryman Firdaus Kabirov (Kamaz) and 25'49 ahead of Frenchman Joseph Adua (Iveco).

15:31 - Quad
251 - The Patronellis just keep on going...

Now that the first 5 quads have completed 396 km of the day's special, it is still Argentina's Marcos Patronelli (Yamaha) who boasts the best provisional time, 1'01 ahead of his older brother, Alejandro (Yamaha), and 4'11 in front of his countryman Sebastian Halpern (Yamaha).

15:10 - Car
301 - Number 54 for "Peter"!

The first 6 cars have just finished the day's stage and Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel (BMW) has won the 8th special, 45" ahead of general standings leader, Spaniard Carlos Sainz (VW) and 1'07 in front of American Mark Miller (VW). More importantly, the already 9 times winner of the event has picked up his 54th stage Victory on the Dakar (and his 21st in a car), making it the new absolute record, of course.

14:59 - Truck
501 - Chagin still increasing his lead...

With the first 4 trucks through CP3 after 304 km of the day's special stage, Russian Vladimir Chagin (Kamaz) still leads, 4'38 ahead of his team-mate and countryman Firdaus Kabirov (Kamaz) and 17'13 in front of Frenchman Joseph Adua (Iveco).

14:34 - Car
301 - "Peter" is coming roaring back at the end...

Now that the first 8 cars have completed 396 km, though South African Giniel De Villiers (VW) still holds the best provisional time, he only has a lead of 21" over Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel (BMW) and 1'15 over his American team-mate Mark Miller (VW).

14:10 - Quad
251 - The Patronelli brothers take control

The first 6 quads have just completed 355 km of the day's special and the leader of the general standings, Argentinean Marcos Patronelli (Yamaha), is in the lead, 1'08 ahead of his older brother, Alejandro (Yamaha), and 2'40 in front of Poland's Rafal Sonik (Yamaha).

13:57 - Car
300 - Now it's De Villiers's turn to lead!

Now that the first 6 cars have completed 355 km of the day's special, following on from his American team-mate Mark Miller (VW), South African Giniel De Villiers (VW) now boasts the best provisional time, 59" ahead of Miller and 1'14 in front of Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel (BMW).

13:46 - Bike
9 - Number 3 for "Chaleco" Lopez

Two more bikes have just finished the day's special stage and now Chilean rider Francisco Lopez Contardo (Aprilia) has the best time, 42" ahead of Spaniard Marc Coma and 1'22 in front of Norway's Pal Anders Ullevalseter (KTM). This is a 2nd stage victory for "Chaleco" this year and his 3rd on the Dakar. As a result, he has clawed back 6'43 on Frenchman Cyril Despres (KTM), who had problems with his wheel rims. Nonetheless, he has a comfortable lead in the general standings.

13:36 - Quad
255 - Halpern streaks ahead

Now that the first 6 quads have made it to CP4 after 304 km of the day's special stage, Argentinean Sebastian Halpern (Yamaha) still holds the best provisional time and now leads Poland's Rafal Sonik (Yamaha) by 8'26 and his countryman and leader of the general standings Marcos Patronelli (Yamaha) by 8'31.

13:28 - Bike
1 - Coma scores best time, but "Chaleco" is still to come

We are still waiting for the arrival of Chilean Francisco Lopez Contardo (Aprilia) at the finishing line of this 8th special, but it is currently Spaniard Marc Coma who has achieved the best provisional time on the day's special now that 4 bikes have finished, 40" ahead of Norwegian Pal Anders ullevalseter (KTM) and 2'19 in front of Frenchman David Fretigne (Yamaha).

13:25 - Truck
501 - Chagin still out in front

Already boasting a more than solid lead in the general standings, with a lead of 1 hour over his nearest pursuer at the start of the 2nd week of racing, Russian Vladimir Chagin (Kamaz) is still out in front in the day's special stage and now has a lead, at CP3 (245 km), of 4'10 over his team-mate and countryman Firdaus Kabirov (Kamaz) and 11'25 over Frenchman Joseph Adua (Iveco).

13:11 - Bike
1 - Coma provisionally leads at CP5

The first 6 bikes have passed through CP5 after 465 km of the day's special and it is now Spaniard Marc Coma (KTM) who is in the lead, 26" ahead of Norwegian Pal Anders Ullevalseter (KTM) and 2'19 in front of Frenchman David Fretigne (Yamaha). The leader of the general standings, Frenchman Cyril Despres (KTM) trails the stage leader by 5'41.

13:05 - Bike
9 - Francisco Lopez still leads after 396 km

The first 10 bikes have now completed 396 km of the day's special and the lead is still held by Chilean Francisco Lopez Contardo (Aprilia) with the best provisional time, 1'25 ahead of Norwegian Ullevalseter (KTM) and 8'31 in front of Franco-Malian Alain Duclos (KTM). The leader of the general standings, Frenchman Cyril despres (KTM) trails the day's leader by 9'13. However, for the moment the Iritrack on the bike of Spaniard Marc Coma (KTM) is not giving his position.

12:55 - Truck
501 - Chagin keeps on truckin'...

The first 10 trucks have made it through CP1 (153 km) and Russian Vladimir Chagin (Kamaz) still leads the day's special stage, with a lead of 4'43 over his faithful lieutenant Firdaus Kabirov (Kamaz) and 9'19 over Frenchman Joseph Adua (Iveco).

12:45 - Car
305 - Now it's Miller's turn...

The first 6 cars have completed 245 km of the day's special and American Mark Miller (VW) now leads with the best provisional time, 38" and 1'11 respectively ahead of his team-mates, South African Giniel De Villiers (VW) and Spaniard Carlos Sainz (VW).

12:30 - Car
302 - Gordon in 2nd at CP2

Having started the special in 24th place this morning, American Robby Gordon (Hummer) is in the middle of a giving a fine performance and achieved the 2nd best time at CP2 (after 199 km), 42" behind Stephane Peterhansel (BMW).

12:27 - Quad
251 - Marcos Patronelli back at the top

The official who reported the illegal assistance provided to Argentinean Marcos Patronelli (Yamaha) in Iquique today withdrew his report at midday. As a result, the 3-hour penalty given to the younger of the Patronelli brothers was immediately removed. Having led the general standings since the 3rd stage, Marcos Patronelli is now back on top in the quad race and, post facto, had a lead of 2.22:25 over his older brother at the start of the 8th stage this morning.

12:12 - Quad
255 - Halpern fights back against Declerck

With the first 5 quads through CP3 (after 245 km), Argentinean Sebastian Halpern (Yamaha) now boasts the best provisional time, but is only 2 tiny seconds ahead of Frenchman Christophe Declerck (Polaris). There is no change however for Polish rider Rafal Sonik (Yamaha) who is still 3rd but now 1'34 behind the stage leader.

12:08 - Car
301 - "Peter" takes charge again at CP2!

The first 6 cars have just passed through CP2 after 199 km of the day's special and Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel (BMW) now leads, 1'24 ahead of South African Giniel De Villiers (VW) and 3'28 in font of the general standings leader, Spaniard Carlos Sainz (VW). Frenchman Guerlain Chicherit (BMW) who scored the best provisional time at CP1, has had problems with a back wheel, perhaps a flat tire, and trails his team-mate "Peter" by 5'25.

11:55 - Bike
9 - "Chaleco" Lopez opens up the gap at CP4

Now that the first 10 bikes have made it through CP4 after 304 km of the day's special, Chilean Francisco Lopez Contardo (Aprilia) still boasts the best provisional time. Even better, "Chaleco" now has a lead of 1'15 over Norwegian Pal Anders Ullevalseter (KTM) and 1'32 over Frenchman David Fretigne (Yamaha).

11:28 - Truck
501 - Chagin heading towards a record?

Apart from a 6th victory in the general standings, which he leads comfortably, Russian Vladimir Chagin (Kamaz) also has his sights set on the absolute record for special stage victories on the Dakar. With his counter currently on 53, just like Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel, the "Tsar" hopes to have taken the lead by the end of this 8th stage. As a result, Chagin started at a quicker pace and after 48 km of the special he already boasts a lead of 2'42 over his countryman and team-mate Firdaus Kabirov (Kamaz) and 5'54 over Frenchman Joseph Adua (Iveco).

11:20 - Quad
258 - Declerck opens up the gap at CP2

The first 10 quads have reached CP2 at the 199-km mark of the day's special and Frenchman Christophe Declerck (Polaris) still leads with the best provisional time. He is now 1'46 ahead of Argentinean Sebastian Halpern (Yamaha) and 2'27 in front of Poland's Rafal Sonik (Yamaha).

10:50 - Bike
9 - "Chaleco" Lopez in front at CP3

Now that the first 15 bikes have made it through CP3 (245 km), Chilean Francisco "Chaleco" Lopez Contardo (Aprilia) has been credited with the best provisional time, 19" ahead of Norway's Ullevalseter (KTM).

10:48 - Car
307 - Chicherit leads provisionally after 48 km

The first 8 cars have completed 48 km of the day's special and Frenchman Guerlain Chicherit (BMW) has put in the best provisional time, 42" ahead of South African Giniel De Villiers (VW) and 46" in front of American Mark Miller (VW). The first driver to start today, Qatari Nasser Al-Attiyah (VW), is currently 2'26 behind the provisional leader.

10:35 - Quad
258 - Declerck leads at CP1

With the first 8 quads through CP1 after 153 of the day's special, Frenchman Christophe Declerck (Polaris) is provisionally in the lead, 12" ahead of Argentina's Sebastian Halpern (Yamaha), and 50" in front of Polish rider Rafal Sonik (Yamaha). General standings leader, Alejandro Patronelli (Yamaha), came through 4'02 behind the provisional leader.

10:29 - Bike
1 - 4th position for Coma at CP3...

Title holder Spaniard Marc Coma (KTM) has passed through CP3 (after 245 km) in 4th position, 2'13 behind the provisional leader, Norwegian rider Ullevalseter (KTM).

10:27 - Bike
4 - Ullevalseter still leads

The first 8 bikes have just made it through CP3 after 245 km of the day's special and Norwegian Pal Anders Ullevalseter (KTM) still leads with the best provisional time, 19" ahead of Frenchman David Fretigne (Yamaha), and 1'33 in front of Portugal's Ruben Faria (KTM).

10:23 - Truck
501 - THE TRUCKS ARE ON THEIR WAY!

Already winner of 6 specials out of 7 and with a VERY solid lead in the general standings, Russian Vladimir Chagin (Kamaz) kicked off proceedings in the day's truck special at 10.03 as scheduled, starting out 13th in the car/truck pack. The "Tsar" was followed 7 minutes later by the title holder, his team-mate and countryman Firdaus Kabirov (Kamaz), who started in 19th place in the car/truck pack.

10:04 - Bike
4 - Ullevalseter leads at CP2, but...

The first 12 bikes have made it through CP2 after 199 km of the day's special, and Norway's Pal Anders Ullevalseter (KTM) now leads, 1'05 ahead of Franco-Malian Alain Duclos (KTM), and 1'08 in front of Frenchman David Fretigne (Yamaha)... However, the Iritrack on Spaniard Marc Coma's KTM is not giving his position for the moment.

09:57 - Car
306 - THE CARS ARE ON THEIR WAY...

The winner of the 7th stage on Friday, Qatari Nasser Al-Attiyah (VW), has kicked off proceeding on the 8th special in the car race at 9.43 as scheduled. He was followed two minutes later by Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel (BMW).

09:42 - Bike
14 - Duclos matches Coma!

The first 13 bikes have made it through CP1 after 153 km of the day's special and Alain Duclos (KTM) has joined Marc Coma (KTM) in the lead for the special stage, because the Franco-Malian has achieved exactly the same time as the Spaniard: 1.32:44, seven seconds ahead of Norwegian Ullevalseter (KTM).

09:15 - Bike
1 - Waiting for Duclos...

The first 5 bikes have reached CP1 (km 153) on the day's stage. Spanish rider Marc Coma (KTM) provisionally leads the stage, 7'' ahead of Norwegian rider Pal Anders Ullevalseter (KTM), and 47" ahead of Portuguese rider Ruben Faria (KTM).

09:10 - Quad
277 - Alejandro Patronelli in the lead after 48 km

The first 5 quads have completed 48 km in the day's special stage. Argentina's Alejandro Patronelli (Yamaha), the leader of the general standings, started first this morning and already has put the best provisional time, 2'' ahead of his younger brother Marcos Patronelli (Yamaha) and 1'45'' ahead of Frenchman Christophe Declerck (Polaris).

08:45 - Bike
14 - Best time for Duclos at km48

The first 15 bikes have completed 48 km of the day's special stage. Frenchman Alain Duclos (KTM) currently boasts the best provisional time, 9'' ahead of Spanish rider Marc Coma (KTM).

08:23 - Bike
1 - A demonstration ride by Coma today?

Now that the first 5 bikes have completed 48 km of the day's special, Spaniard Marc Coma (KTM), with a huge bee in his bonnet after yesterday's penalty, has put in the best provisional time, 27" ahead of Frenchman David Fretigne (Yamaha), and 53" in front of Norwegian Pal Anders Ullevalseter (KTM).

08:19
277 - THE QUADS ARE ON THEIR WAY!

The winner of the 7th special on Friday, Argentinean Alejandro Patronelli (Yamaha) set off in 36th position of the bike/quad back, kicking off proceedings for the day's special in the quad category at 8.06 as scheduled. He was followed 1 minute later by his younger brother Marcos (Yamaha), who started in 38th place. The two Argentine brothers are continuing the race, in spite of their threat to withdraw after the race stewards handed out a 3 hour penalty yesterday to Marcos, who led the general standings at the time, due to illegal assistance in Iquique. As a result, Alejandro started the stage as new leader of the general standings, 37'35 in front of his "little brother" Marcos.

08:03 - Bike
2 - READY, STEADY, GO!

Hello and welcome to everyone. Following the day of rest, yesterday in Antofagasta, 224 crews (96 bikes, 14 quads, 78 cars and 36 trucks) have been authorised to take starter's orders on the 8th stage this morning. The proceedings were kicked off by 7th stage winner Frenchman Cyril Despres (KTM) at 7.30 this morning, as scheduled. The leader of the general standings was followed two minutes later by Spaniard Marc Coma (KTM), who in the end has decided to continue racing, after receiving a 6-hour penalty for illegal assistance during the seventh stage. As a result, on the general standings, the title holder is now in 24th place 7.06:50 behind the leader of this 32nd Dakar.

06:00
STAGE 8: ANTOFAGASTA -- COPIAPO

568 km including a 472-km timed section are on the menu of the 8th stage. Following on from the rest day, the competitors will have been wise to enjoy it, because the race resumes with another "biggie". For this penultimate stage in the Atacama, the remaining competitors in the 32nd Dakar will have to pick their way through terrain at the start of a special stage that is full of stones and extremely tricky, with in particular several zones of fesh-fesh. Afterwards, the pace will quicken dramatically as the competitors gobble up some 300 km of winding and fast tracks that will lead the caravan through the ranges of dunes above Copiapo, before a final 90 km of "total sand".

-source: aso