Today was held the second stage of the Dakar 2016 in bolivian territory, in a loop with departure and arrival in Flats. In this sixth stage has been raced the longest special, with 542 miles for bikes, quads and cars. The trucks have had a special shorter, of 295 kilometres, although they have had a 304 km link versus the 180 of the other categories. The stage of today has become to be marked by high altitudes of between 3,500 and 4,000 meters.
When we talk about Flats is the first thing that comes to mind is its immense salt pan, but fortunately for the riders, this year the organization has decided to avoid it, because that in 2015, many riders suffered mechanical breakdowns because of the salt and the water of the rains. The navigation has been one of the key factors of this stage, in which the veterans have played with advantage.
Two dropouts important and good bye Barreda
Stéphane Peterhansel
Today, yes, there have been major changes in the rankings. Some of the favourites in the bikes and quads have had to leave and others have suffered breakdowns. Joan Barreda has had mechanical problems in his Honda and had to be towed, missing out on all the options to win this Dakar 2016. In 2015 Barreda suffered serious electrical problems on his bike after the step for salting. The biker Ruben Faria had had to abandon after falling off a bike and break your wrist. At a stage, the Dakar 2016 has “lost” two of the favorites to be crowned champions. In its place, Toby Price has been first, followed by Walkner and Gonçalves a very short distance.
In quads the chilean Ignacio Casale has abandoned also by a fall and a fracture of the wrist. After the departure yesterday of Rafal Sonik, brothers Patronelli it seems that will not have problems to win the Dakar 2016 if all goes well. Today, they have won the stage and also they are occupying the first two positions of the general.
Alejandro Patronelli and his brother Mark dominate the Dakar 2016
In cars today has not been the day from Loeb, that for the first time on this Dakar, 2016 wins and ranks fourth. Peterhansel and Carlos Sainz have been more rapid, with 17 seconds and followed by Alrajhi with his Toyota Hilux to 7 minutes. Loeb was fourth due to two punctures suffered and that for more than 80 kilometres and it has had to run with the throttle blocked at the top and controlling the vehicle with the brake, which has hampered the stage, down on the second place overall.
Very exciting today’s truck, with only 7 seconds of difference between Hans Stacey and Gerard de Rooy. Versluis has been third party. The Kamaz trucks are moving and today have occupied positions 4, 5, 6, and 8 of the stage.
Classification Stage 6
Bikes:
| Position | Pilot | Country | Brand | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toby Price | Australia | KTM | 05:51:48 |
| 2nd | Matthias Walkner | Austria | KTM | +00:01:05 |
| 3rd | Paulo Gonçalves | Portugal | Honda | +00:01:12 |
Quads:
| Position | Pilot | Country | Brand | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marcos Patronelli | Argentina | Yamaha | 06:53:39 |
| 2nd | Alejandro Patronelli | Argentina | Yamaha | +00:06:39 |
| 3rd | Sergei Karyakin | Russia | Yamaha | +00:19:01 |
Cars:
| Position | Pilot | Country | Brand | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stéphane Peterhansel | France | Peugeot | 05:01:07 |
| 2nd | Carlos Sainz | Spain | Peugeot | +00:00:17 |
| 3rd | Yazeed Alrajhi | Saudi Arabia | Toyota | +00:07:19 |
Truck:
| Position | Pilot | Country | Brand | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hans Stacey | the Netherlands | MAN | 02:55:35 |
| 2nd | Gerard de Rooy | the Netherlands | Iveco | +00:00:07 |
| 3rd | Pieter Versluis | the Netherlands | MAN | +00:01:15 |
Overall Rating
Bikes:
| Position | Pilot | Country | Brand | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paulo Gonçalves | Portugal | Honda | 20:23:07 |
| 2nd | Toby Price | Australia | KTM | +00:00:35 |
| 3rd | Matthias Walkner | Austria | KTM | +00:02:50 |
Quads:
| Position | Pilot | Country | Brand | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alejandro Patronelli | Argentina | Yamaha | 24:01:27 |
| 2nd | Marcos Patronelli | Argentina | Yamaha | +00:02:48 |
| 3rd | Sergei Karyakin | Russia | Yamaha | +00:06:39 |
Cars:
| Position | Pilot | Country | Brand | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stéphane Peterhansel | France | Peugeot | 18:26:20 |
| 2nd | Sebastien Loeb | France | Peugeot | +00:00:27 |
| 3rd | Carlos Sainz | Spain | Peugeot | +00:05:55 |
Truck:
| Position | Pilot | Country | Brand | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hans Stacey | the Netherlands | MAN | 17:05:09 |
| 2nd | Pieter Versluis | the Netherlands | MAN | +00:00:59 |
| 3rd | Federico Villagra | Argentina | Iveco | +00:04:05 |