Former champions both exited and returned to the 2020 Dakar Rally on a wild Stage 5 dominated by sandy terrain. With the Rest Day in Riyadh now just one day away, we’re witnessing world class offroaders assert their authority at the 42nd edition of the world’s toughest rally.
A second consecutive stage win was achieved by Red Bull Off-Road Team USA on the 353-kilometre special between Al Ula and Ha’il. The coaching crew of Cyril Despres (FRA) and co-driver Mike Horn (SUI) thundered along in their side-by-side OT3 by Overdrive – refreshed from an enforced rest day yesterday while their vehicle underwent repairs.
“Cyril’s driving was fluid all the way. Taking the perfect headings always and that’s what saved us the time. That’s two stage wins for the team, let’s get some more!” – Mike Horn
It’s testament to the ultra-resilient mentality of both Despres and Horn that they were able to battle back from adversity to park on the top step of today’s podium. The result makes Despres the first ever Dakar competitor to win stages in the three different categories (bike, car and now SxS).
“I know Mike has some potential and I know that I have some potential. It’s good to know that this car also has some potential. Mitch showed it yesterday and we showed it today. It was great to have the rest of the team waiting to cheer us over the line.” – Cyril Despres
Despres and Horn are now competing in the Dakar Experience class, alongside team-mate Blade Hildebrand (USA). Hildebrand also enjoyed his best day behind the wheel of an OT3 as he set the sixth fastest time on the stage. The third OT3, driven by Mitch Guthrie Jr. (USA) – winner of Stage 4 – maintained sixth place in the overall SxS classification despite being handed the tricky task of opening the road.
Sergei Kariakin (RUS) is the new leader of the SxS contest, but the margins are tight. Third place Chaleco Lopez (CHI) is less than two minutes away from the former Dakar quad race winner.
Overnight leader of the car class, Carlos Sainz (ESP), extended his advantage by scorching over the dunes on Stage 5. The Spaniard’s second stage win of the 2020 Dakar moves him six minutes clear of Nasser Al-Attiyah (QAT) who remains his closest competitor.
“We’re all pushing hard and doing a good job so far. The car is working well.” – Carlos Sainz
Third on the stage and staying third overall is Stéphane Peterhansel (FRA). The 13-time Dakar winner managed to keep himself in contention despite being tasked with opening the stage, alongside his stand in co-driver Paulo Fiuza (PRT). Peterhansel is now 18 minutes back from fellow Mini Buggy driver Sainz.
A second stage win in Saudi Arabia has sprung defending bike race champion Toby Price (AUS) up the leaderboard. An immaculate run on Stage 5 has put the two-time Dakar winner in second overall, nine minutes behind race leader Ricky Brabec (USA).
“It was a big change in terrain today. The first part of it was stones and rocks again, but towards the end we were in the sand dunes. This made the navigation tricky.” – Toby Price
Price’s KTM Factory team-mates Matthias Walkner (AUT) and Luciano Benavides (ARG) both took advantage of late starts to fire themselves up the rankings. Walkner ends the day in sixth overall while Benavides lies eighth.
The news was much less positive for Sam Sunderland (GBR), the fourth member of the Red Bull KTM Factory Team. The 2017 Dakar winner crashed out of the race 187 kilometres into the timed special stage while setting the day’s second quickest time. We wish Sam a speedy recovery from the back and shoulder injuries he has sustained.
Mohammed Balooshi (UAE) is still in the hunt to improve on his 25th place finish at last year’s Dakar. However, his task was not made any easier today when he ran out of fuel 25 kilometres from the end of the stage. Thankfully another competitor was able to lend him some gas – the spirit of the Dakar is still going strong in Saudi Arabia! Balooshi is placed alongside CS Santosh (IND) in the Top 50 of the bike race with both targeting a move up the leaderboard in the second week.
“A really tough day and I’m glad to make it to the finish. I’m finally starting to feel like I’m getting in the groove at this rally.” – CS Santosh
With the halfway point of the Dakar almost in sight, Team Kamaz Master are flexing their muscles at the front of the truck race. A second consecutive 1-2-3 stage result has given the Russian truckers a vice-like grip on the general classification. Stage winner Dmitry Sotnikov (RUS) was followed home by race leader Andrey Karginov (RUS), with team-mate Anton Shibalov (RUS) joining them on the podium.
“During the stage we had a puncture but we made the decision not to stop and change the wheel. We used the air pressure system we have in the cab to save some time.” – Andrey Karginov
A near faultless opening week at the first Middle Eastern Dakar continues for Ignacio Casale (CHI) in the quad class. The Chilean is chasing his third Dakar quad title, and now has an advantage of more than half an hour in his category.
“Today is when the real Dakar started. There will be really tough stages and I’ll have to be ready for them physically.” – Ignacio Casale
Tomorrow takes the Dakar convoy to Riyadh. For those competitors managing to cross a further 477-kilometre stretch of dunes there will be a well-earned Rest Day waiting for them in Saudi Arabia’s capital city.
The 2020 Dakar finishes on Friday, January 17 in Al-Qiddiya. Keep up-to-date with the entire Red Bull Desert Wings convoy on Red Bull Motorsports’ social media: Red Bull Motorsport Instagram / Facebook / Twitter / Desert Wings Instagram
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2020 Dakar Rally Car Race Top 5 (after Stage 5)
1. Carlos Sainz (ESP) MINI Buggy 19h04m13s 2. Nasser Al-Attiyah (QAT) Toyota +05m59s 3. Stéphane Peterhansel (FRA) MINI Buggy +17m53s 4. Yazzed Al Rajhi (SAU) Toyota +31m39s 5. Orlando Terranova (ARG) MINI Rally +32m05s
2020 Dakar Rally Bike Race Top 5 (after Stage 5)
1. Ricky Brabec (USA) Honda 19h07m19s 2. Toby Price (AUT) KTM +09m06s 3. Kevin Benavides (ARG) Honda +11m32s 4. Pablo Quintanilla (CHI) Husqvarna +16m01s 5. Jose Ignacio Cornejo (CHI) Honda +20m25s
2020 Dakar Rally Side-by-side Race Top 3 (after Stage 5)
1. Sergei Kariakin (RUS) Can-Am 23h21m52s 2. Casey Currie (USA) Can-Am +01m10s 3. Chaleco Lopez (CHI) Can-Am +01m47s
2020 Dakar Rally Truck Race Top 5 (after Stage 5)
1. Andrey Karginov (RUS) Kamaz 20h10m02s 2. Anton Shibalov (RUS) Kamaz +14m53s 3. Siarhei Viazovich (BLR) Maz +23m58s 4. Ales Loprais (CZE) Praga +01h29m18s 5. Martin Macik (CZE) Iveco +01h38m30s
2020 Dakar Rally Quad Race Top 3 (after Stage 5)
1. Ignacio Casale (CHI) Yamaha 24h10m47s 2. Giovanni Enrico (CHI) Yamaha +31m37s 3. Simon Vitse (FRA) Yamaha +41m39s
Press release Red Bull
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