MADRID, 6 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Qatari driver Nasser Al-Attiyah (Toyota) has successfully won the sixth stage of the Dakar 2023 -the third in the test-, taking advantage of the ‘bump’ of Audi with a day to forget, after his two drivers Carlos Sainz and Stéphane Peterhansel have suffered two accidents that minimize their chances, while Joan Barreda (JB Team) finished four of the day on motorcycles, more than two minutes behind the day’s winner, Argentine Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna).
The Qatari ‘flew’ at the end of the longest stage of this edition of the Dakar and consolidated his leadership, heading for his second consecutive ‘raid’ title. The day began with a launched Peterhansel, setting the best times in the first 200 kilometers, even ahead of Al-Attiyah, in a very even start with the favorites fighting to win the stage.
But when they reached kilometer 212 of the special -from 358 to Riyadh-, Peterhansel suffered an accident in which his co-driver, Edouard Boulanger, was injured by the impact, having to be evacuated by helicopter. Almost at the same point, Carlos Sainz also saw his progress thwarted by an incident.
The Spanish crew did not suffer physical damage, but their car was badly damaged, with battery, suspension and steering box problems. An ‘eternal’ break that makes his options to win the race disappear and leave the Qatari ‘free way’ to add his fifth Dakar, although there are still eight stages to go.
The Qatari, accompanied by Sébastien Loeb and Henk Lategan on the podium of the sixth stage, is now the leader of the general classification, with more than a minute over the South African and with the Brazilian Lucas Moraes in the third drawer of the standings, 1 behind :13.
Barreda’s fourth place in motorcycles corroborates the constant and consistent Dakar that the Spaniard is doing -always within the ‘top 6’ in this addition-, after the fall in the fifth stage of the demanding race, helped by up to four riders There are only 20 kilometers left to go.
The Spaniard finished this sixth stage 2:33 minutes behind Benavides, winner of the day, and is fourth overall, almost 11 minutes behind the American Skyler Howes, who is already the leader of the race, after his second place this Friday .