The day's difficulty : the navigation and.....the sand.
TODAY
Temperatures of 40 degrees in
the shade were recorded in El Mreiti. The stage
is completed mostly without the use of roadbooks
and off-piste.
Motorcycles : in an amazing act of
bravery, Britain's Ian Graham has decided to
continue in this year's Dakar, despite suffering
a dislocated shoulder on today's longest stage
in the event. (we first announced that he had to
retire).
Thierry Magnaldi, who was fourth
before today's leg, retired when the engine on
his KTM broke down.
Davide Trolli scored his
first stage victory.
Cars : In the cars, Ari Vatanen scored his fourth stage win, despite a roll which ended back on its wheels and suffering two punctures. Citroen's biggest threat seems to be the loss of so many of their service vehicles. One of the fast-assistance Kamaz trucks was badly damaged today and if it's not repairable, Citroen will have just 4 of their original 11 trucks left in the event.
