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Dakar resumes after extended rest period

───   MORGAN PIEK 08:07 Mon, 09 Jan 2017

Dakar resumes after extended rest period | News Article
Sam Sunderland - Dan Istitene / Getty

The 2017 Dakar Rally in South America resumes on Monday after the competitors enjoyed a longer than usual break.


Saturday’s 6th stage of the gruelling rally was cancelled due to inclement weather and navigational problems, while yesterday was the traditional day of rest.

On Friday many of the competitors only arrived at the overnight station long after dark.

The Frenchman, Sebastien Loeb, won the 5th stage between Tupiza and Oruro in 02:24:03… 44 seconds faster than Spain’s Nani Roma, and 1 minute 31 seconds faster than his compatriot and 12-time champion, Stephane Peterhansel.

South Africa’s Giniel de Villiers finished the stage in 10th.

Peterhansel remains in the overall lead and holds a 1-minute-9-second lead on Loeb.

Following Friday’s stage, the leader in the motorbike race, Sam Sunderland, of England said the Dakar is far from over.

“It's only day five,” said the Englishman.

“It was a tough day, you know. Even though the second part was cancelled, we still had three hundred kilometres in the rain and the cold. I'll be happy to get cleaned up and have a rest.

“It was a good day. I started off with a good feeling this morning and I'm feeling fast. I tried to really focus on the navigation. There were one or two really tricky places.

“Sometimes it works out ok and sometimes you have problems.

“Today it worked out ok for me.

"We've got a long way to go. Yesterday I was really down and annoyed because I'd made a mistake and now I'm really happy, so now I need to try and stay calm and keep focused because it's only day five."

Monday’s 7th stage runs for 622km between La Paz and Uyuni.

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport

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