Stage 12 - San Juan to San Rafael notes

Stage 12 - San Juan to San Rafael
Thursday, January 14

* Liaison : 23 km
* Speciale : 476 km
* Liaison : 297 km
* Total : 796 km

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

18:37 - Car
Stage 12 summary

Pending validation by the race stewards, Spaniard Carlos Sainz (VW) was victorious for a second time on a special in the 32nd Dakar, making it the 17th stage triumph of his career on the event. More importantly, with a time of de 3.30:29, "El Matador" beat his main rival for outright victory, his Qatari team-mate Nasser Al-Attiyah (VW), by 52" and his American team-mate Mark Miller (VW) by 4'22. As a result, in the general standings, only 2 stages from the finish in Buenos Aires, Carlos Sainz has a little more breathing space out in front with a lead that now stands at 5'20 over Al-Attiyah. The position is more comfortable for American Mark Miller (VW), who is 3rd at 28'12 behind the race leader and who continues to ensure (for the moment!) a 1-2-3 for the Wolfsburg-based constructor. In the Open category, unsurprisingly American Robby Gordon (Hummer) claimed his 11th triumph out of 12 specials, with the 7th best time of the day. Finally, in the Production category, Japan's Jun Mitsuhashi won his 8th special on the 32nd edition, by beating Frenchmen Frederic Chavigny (Nissan) and Jean-Pierre Strugo (Nissan) by 7'54 and 9'08 respectively. In the general standings for the category after this 12th special, Japanese driver Mitsuhashi now boasts a lead of 6.31:23 over Spaniard Xavier Foj (Toyota) and 14.02;20 over France's Chavigny (Nissan).

18:30 - Bike
Stage 12 summary

Pending validation by the race stewards, Chilean Francisco Lopez Contardo (Aprilia) offered the Italian constructor a 3rd victory on the 32nd Dakar. More importantly, with a time of 3h48'34, "Chaleco" beat Frenchman David Fretigne (Yamaha) by 40" and Norwegian Pal Anders Ullevalseter (KTM) by 1'13. As a result, in the general standings, the Chilean takes over 2nd place, now 1'13 ahead of Ullevalseter and 9'34 in front of Portugal's Helder Rodrigues (Yamaha), so the composition of the final podium is still far from certain! However, there is no suspense for the identity of the overall victor, because the leader, Frenchman Cyril Despres (KTM) is still way out in front, with a lead that now stands at 1.03:42 over "Chaleco" Lopez.

18:24 - Truck
Stage 12 summary

Pending validation by the race stewards, the five times winner of the event, Russian Vladimir Chagin (Kamaz) grabbed his 9th stage victory on the Dakar 2010 and the 56th of his career on the event (a record!). With a time of 4h27'14, the "Tsar" beat his countryman and team-mate Firdaus Kabirov (Kamaz) by 1'20. As a result, in the general standings, Chagin is getting closer and closer to a 6th outright triumph on the Dakar with a lead that now stands at 1.13:43 over his faithful lieutenant, Kabirov.

18:20 - Quad
Stage 12 summary

Pending validation by the race stewards, Christophe Declerck (Polaris) has won his 2nd special stage on the 32nd Dakar. With a time of 4.52:22, the Frenchman beat the older of the Argentinean Patronelli brothers (both Yamaha), Alejandro, by 1'29 and the younger sibling Marcos by 6'00. There is no change in the general standings however, where Marcos Patronelli still boasts a chasm between himself and his pursuers, with a lead that stands at 2.18:34 over his "big brother" Alejandro.

18:07 - Truck
501 - Chagin once again...

The first two trucks have finished the day's special and Russian Vladimir Chagin (Kamaz) has won his 9th stage victory on the 32nd Dakar, 1'20 ahead of his faithful lieutenant Firdaus Kabirov (Kamaz), making it the 56th triumph for the "Tsar" on the Dakar (an absolute record!).

17:37 - Truck
501 - Chagin on course for number 56

The first three trucks have just completed 412 km of the day's special and the leader of the general standings, Russian Vladimir Chagin (Kamaz), still boasts the best provisional time, 1'48 and 16'28 respectively in front of his team-mates and countrymen Firdaus Kabirov (Kamaz) and Ilgizar Mardeev (Kamaz). Another success would bring the absolute record of stage victories on the Dakar held by the "Tsar" to 56 triumphs.

17:12 - Car
341 - Mitsuhashi wins again in the production category

Already winner of 7 specials on the Dakar and as a result comfortably in the lead in the Production category, Japan's Jun Mitsuhashi (Toyota) strengthened his position by picking up his 8th success today, his 4th in a row, 7'54 ahead of Frenchman Frederic Chavigny (Nissan), and 9'08 in front of another Frenchman, Jean-Pierre Strugo (Nissan).

16:22 - Truck
501 - Chagin marches on

With his Iritrack problems solved, the leader of the general standings, Russian Vladimir Chagin (Kamaz), now leads after 363 km of the day's special, 1'25 and 10'40 respectively ahead of his two team-mates and countrymen Firdaus Kabirov (Kamaz) and Ilgizar Mardeev (Kamaz).

15:30 - Car
303 - Victory for Sainz but Al-Attiyah limits the damage

Now that the first 6 cars have finished the 12th special, Spaniard Carlos Sainz (VW) has achieved the best provisional time, by winning his 2nd stage on the 32nd Dakar, but only 52" ahead of his Qatari team-mate Nasser Al-Attiyah (VW) and 4'22 in front of another of his team-mates, American Mark Miller (VW). As a result, in the general standings, "El Matador" is still in the lead, 5'20 ahead of the Qatari.

14:54 - Car
303 - Sainz heading for a 2nd special stage victory

The first 5 cars have just completed 412 km of the day's special and the leader of the general standings, Spaniard Carlos Sainz (VW), still boasts the best provisional time, 1'38 ahead of Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel (BMW) and 2'24 in front of his main rival in the fight for outright victory, his Qatari team-mate Nasser Al-Attiyah (VW).

14:45
SPECIAL STAGE FINISH MOVED TO THE 470-KM POINT

Faced with record numbers of spectators who have come in their masses from the nearby city of Mendoza to the finishing line of the day's special situated at the 476-km point, the race organisers have decided to move the finishing line to the 470-km point of the route, in order to ensure the safety of the spectators and competitors, who will still cover the full 476 km, but at slow speeds for the last 6 km.

14:34 - Quad
258 - Declerck victorious in the end

The first 5 quads have just finished the day's special and in the end, Frenchman Christophe Declerck (Polaris) has picked up his 2nd stage victory on this 32nd Dakar, 1'23 ahead of Argentinean Alejandro Patronelli (Yamaha) and 6'00 in front of the younger Patronelli brother, Marcos (Yamaha), who still has a comfortable lead in the general standings.

14:10 - Truck
500 - Kabirov opens up the gap

Now that the first 8 trucks have just completed 119 km of the day's special stage, Russian Firdaus Kabirov (Kamaz) still has the best provisional time and is now 6'32 ahead of his team-mate and countryman Ilgizar Mardeev (Kamaz) and 24'21 in front of Dutchman Marcel Van Vliet (Ginaf). However, the Iritrack in the vehicle of the general standings leader, Russian Vladimir Chagin (Kamaz), is not currently emitting his position.

14:04 - Car
303 - Sainz still leads after 363 km

The first 5 cars have completed 363 km of the day's special and the leader of the general standings, Spaniard Carlos Sainz (VW), still boasts the best provisional time, 2'27 ahead of Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel (BMW) and 3'46 in front of his main rival for outright victory, his team-mate Nasser Al-Attiyah (VW).

13:55 - Quad
277 - Alejandro loses ground

The first 5 quads have completed 412 km of the day's special and Argentinean Alejandro Patronelli (Yamah) still holds the best provisional time, but the older of the Patronelli brothers now only has a lead of 1'11 over Frenchman Christophe Declerck (Polaris) but still 4'55 over his younger brother and leader of the general standings Marcos Patronelli (Yamaha).

13:19 - Truck
500 - Kabirov still out in front

Now that the first 4 trucks have completed 119 km of the day's special, Russian Firdaus Kabirov (Kamaz) still boasts the best provisional time, 4'24 ahead of his team-mate and countryman Ilgizar Mardeev (Kamaz) and 14'34 in front of Czech driver Martin Macik (Liaz). However, the Iritrack in the vehicle of the general standings leader, Russian Vladimir Chagin (Kamaz), is not currently emitting his position.

13:14 - Bike
2 - Despres protecting his lead...

Comfortably out in front in the general standings with a lead of 1 hour 20 minutes over his main pursuers, Frenchman Cyril Despres (KTM) has just reached the finishing line of the 12th stage, conceding in the end 17'12 to the day's winner and now second placed rider in the general standings, Chilean "Chaleco" Lopez (Aprilia).

12:59 - Car
307 - Another setback for Chicherit!

Having won his first special on the Dakar yesterday during the 11th stage, Frenchman Guerlain Chicherit (BMW) has unfortunately reacquainted himself with the bad luck that has plagued him since the start of the rally. The free-ride world champion broke the front right suspension rod on his X3 after 63 km of the day's special and lost 1 hour and 30 minutes before he was able to rejoin the race.

12:52 - Bike
9 - Number 3 this year for "Chaleco"!

The first 4 bikes have finished the day's special and in the end, Chilean Chilien Francisco Lopez Contardo (Aprilia) has put in the best provisional time, 40" ahead of Frenchman David Fretigne (Yamaha) and 1'13 ahead of Norwegian Pal Anders Ullevalseter (KTM). "Chaleco" thus gives Italian constructor Aprilia its 3rd victory in the rally, as well as picking up the 4th triumph of his career on the Dakar.

12:45 - Quad
277 - Alejandro still leads after 363 km

Now that the first 6 quads have completed 363 km of the day's special, Argentina's Alejandro Patronelli (Yamaha) still leads, 3'22 ahead of Frenchman Christophe Declerck (Polaris) and 3'54 in front of his younger brother and general standings leader, Marcos Patronelli (Yamaha).

12:12 - Bike
4 - Ullevalseter loses ground

The first 6 bikes have just completed 412 km of the day's special stage and although Pal Anders Ullevalseter (KTM) still holds the best provisional time, the Norwegian now only has a lead of 34" over Frenchman David Fretigne (Yamaha) and 43" over his main rival for the runner-up position behind Despres in the general standings, Chilean Francisco "Chaleco" Lopez Contardo (Aprilia).

11:59 - Truck
500 - Kabirov well set for another triumph

With already 3 special triumphs on the 32nd Dakar, Russian Firdaus Kabirov (Kamaz) seems well set to do it again today. In fact, the title holder made it through CP1 after 21 km of the day's special 34" ahead of Frenchman Joseph Adua (Iveco) and 38" in front of his countryman and team-mate Ilgizar Mardeev (Kamaz). As regards the leader of the general standings, Vladimir Chagin (Kamaz), he is in 4th position 39" behind his faithful lieutenant.

11:51 - Car
303 - Advantage Sainz...

The first 5 cars have just completed the 204 km of the first section of this special and, unsurprisingly, the leader of the general standings, Spaniard Carlos Sainz (VW) has achieved the best provisional time for the first half or the day's racing, 2'03 ahead of Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel (BMW) and 3'23 in front of American Robby Gordon (Hummer). More importantly "El Matador" has a lead of 4'19 over his main rival for the title, his Qatari team-mate Nasser Al-Attiyah (VW).

11:35 - Bike
4 - No change after the neutralised section

The first 7 bikes have just completed 363 km of the day's special and Norwegian Pal Anders Ullevalseter (KTM) still boasts the best provisional time, 1'34 ahead of Chilean Francisco "Chaleco" Lopez Contardo (Aprilia) and 1'53 in front of Portugal's Helder Rodrigues (Yamaha). However, the Iritrack on the bike of the general standings leader, Frenchman Cyril Despres (KTM), is not currently giving his position.

11:30 - Truck
500 - THE TRUCKS ARE ON THEIR WAY!

The winner of yesterday's 11th stage, Russian Firdaus Kabirov (Kamaz), kicked off proceedings of the day's truck special, at 11.19, as scheduled, one hour after the last car started. The title holder was followed 2 minutes later by the leader of the general standings, his team-mate and countryman Vladimir Chagin (Kamaz).

11:27 - Car
303 - Still Sainz...

Now that the first 6 cars have completed 157 km of the day's special, the leader of the general standings, Carlos Sainz (VW) still leads, now 1'34 ahead of Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel (BMW) and 3'01 in front of his American team-mate Mark Miller (VW). More importantly, the Spaniard now boast a lead of 3'31 over his main rival in the general standings, his Qatari team-mate Nasser Al-Attiyah (VW).

11:09 - Car
303 - Sainz is hammering his advantage home

The first 8 cars have now completed 157 km of the day's special and the general standings leader, Spaniard Carlos Sainz (VW), still holds the best provisional time, 1'23 ahead of Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel (BMW) and 2'14 in front of his American team-mate Mark Miller (VW). More importantly, "El Matador" now has a lead of 2'42 over his main rival for outright victory, his Qatari team-mate Nasser Al-Attiyah (VW).

10:30 - Car
310 - 2nd best provisional time for Novitskiy at CP1

11th to start the special this morning, Russian Leonid Novitskiy (BMW) has achieved the 2nd best provisional time at CP1 after 21 km of the day's special, 6" behind Spaniard Carlos Sainz (VW) and 12" ahead of Qatari Nasser Al-Attiyah (VW).

10:23 - Quad
277 - Alejandro opens the gap

The first 6 quads have now completed 157 km of the day's special and Argentinean Alejandro Patronelli (Yamaha) still holds the best provisional time, but with a gap that now stands at 3'26 ahead of his younger brother and general standings leader, Marcos (Yamaha), and 5'20 in front of Frenchman Christophe Declerck (Polaris).

10:07 - Car
303 - And "El Matador" picks it up

Ten cars have now made it through CP1 after 21 km of the day's special and it is now the general standings leader, Spaniard Carlos Sainz (VW), who has been credited with the best provisional time, 18" ahead of his team-mate and main rival for the title, Qatari Nasser Al-Attiyah (VW), and 36" in front of Frenchman Nicolas Misslin (Mitsubishi).

09:56 - Car
306 - Nasser throws down the gauntlet!

The first 4 cars have just made it through CP1 and Qatari Nasser Al-Attiyah (VW) boasts the best provisional time, 21" ahead of Frenchman Guerlain Chicherit (BMW) and American Mark Miller (VW), both tied on the same time, and 37" in front of Argentinean Orlando Terranova (Mitsubishi).

09:45 - Car
307 - THE CARS ARE ON THEIR WAY!

The winner of the 11th special stage yesterday, Frenchman Guerlain Chicherit (BMW), kicked off proceedings for the day's car special at 9.31, as scheduled, and was followed 2 minutes later by local boy, Argentinean Orlando Terranova (Mitsubishi).

09:33 - Quad
277 - Alejandro picks up the pace

The first 5 quads have just completed 119 km of the day's special and Argentinean Alejandro Patronelli (Yamaha) now leads, 2'12 ahead of his younger brother Marcos (Yamaha), and 4'20 in front of Frenchman Christophe Declerck (Polaris).

08:59 - Bike
4 - Ullevalseter opens the gap

No that the first 8 bikes have completed 157 km of the day's special, Pal Anders Ullevalseter (KTM) still possesses the best provisional time, but more importantly the Norwegian now has leads of 1'04 and 2'05 respectively over his two main rivals in the fight for the runner-up spot, Chilean Francisco "Chaleco" Lopez Contardo (Aprilia) and Portugal's Helder Rodrigues (Yamaha).

08:31 - Bike
4 - Ullevalseter fights back against "Chaleco"

Now that the first 8 bikes have completed 119 km of the day's special, Norwegian Pal Anders Ullevaseter (KTM) now has the best provisional time, 2" ahead of Chilean Francisco "Chaleco" Lopez (Aprilia) and 44" in front of Portugal's Helder Rodrigues (Yamaha).

08:07 - Quad
258 - Best provisional time for Declerck at CP1

Now that the first 6 quads have quads made it through CP1 after 21 km of the day's special, Frenchman Christophe Declerck (Polaris) boasts the best provisional time, 11" and 1'08 respectively ahead of the Argentinean Patronelli brothers (both Yamaha), with younger sibling Marcos in front of Alejandro.

07:42 - Bike
9 - "Chaleco" leads at CP1

Now that the first 10 bikes have made it through CP1 after 21 km of the day's special, Chilean Francisco "Chaleco" Lopez Contardo (Aprilia) has put in the best provisional time, 18" ahead of Franco-Malian Alain Duclos (KTM) and 23" in front of Norwegian Pal Anders Ullevalseter (KTM).

07:25 - Bike
8 - Verhoeven loses his victory during the night...

The winner of the 11th special yesterday, Dutchman Frans Verhoeven (BMW) received a nasty surprise late last night, when the race stewards gave time credits to the riders who opened the road and were tricked into heading in the wrong direction after 13 km due to incorrect markings set up by an Argentine policeman. As a result, victory for the 11th special was awarded to Spaniard Marc Coma (KTM), 5'13 ahead of Frenchman David Fretigne (Yamaha) and 5'37 in front of Frans Verhoeven. However, it is especially in the general standings that these changes have significant consequences, because although Despres is still way out in front, he now has a lead of 1.20:54 over... "Chaleco" Lopez (Aprilia)! Following the corrections to the standings, the Chilean now has exactly the same time as the Pal Anders Ullevalseter (KTM)! Having gone to bed as runner-up to Despres, 7'01 ahead of "Chaleco", the Norwegian woke up this morning in joint second place...

07:10 - Bike
READY, STEADY, GO!

Hello and welcome everyone. On completion of the 11th stage yesterday, 196 crews - 92 bikes, 14 quads, 59 cars and 31 trucks - were authorised to take starter's orders for the 12th stage this morning. Spaniard Marc Coma (KTM) kicked off proceedings of the day's special at 6.50, as scheduled. The title holder was followed two minutes later by Frenchman David Fretigne (Yamaha).

06:00
STAGE 12: SAN JUAN -- SAN RAFAEL

796 km are on the menu for the 12th stage, the longest on this 32nd Dakar, including a 476-km timed section. The distinctive feature of this special is the 'neutralised' part between the 204-km and 334-km points, where the competitors will have to return to the tarmac to pass through a listed natural site. For the rest, this third last stage has the following in store for the riders and drivers: a fairly quick and technical first half then, after the break in the special, several sandy but still quick areas with plenty of jumps to tackle as well. Enough to make man and machine suffer a few days before the final finishing line, especially since once they have completed the special stage, the competitors will still have to cover 276 km to reach the bivouac in San Rafael.

-source: aso