Dakar: Peterhansel bounces back
Current Dakar rally champion Stephane Peterhansel has bounced back from a disappointing fourth stage to clinch victory in today's fifth special
The French Mitsubishi driver was hit by problems on Tuesday, when he lost over 17 minutes after his co-driver Jean-Paul Cottret made a navigational mistake which made the duo complete over seven kilometers in the wrong direction.
But the eight-time Dakar winner has moved back into contention after his victory in today's 350 km stage from Ouarzazate to Tan Tan in Morocco.
Peterhansel won the special in slightly over 3.5 hours, finishing ahead of the Volkswagen of American Mark Miller. Today's was the first stage win for Mitsubishi in the 2006 event.
Peterhansel's teammate Nani Roma finished third in today's stage, ahead of Jean-Louis Schlesser in his Ford-powered buggy and Luc Alphand in the Mitsubishi.
Spaniard Carlos Sainz finished only ninth but it was enough for the former world rally champion to stay in front in the overall standings.
Sainz leads by less than two minutes from teammate Jutta Kleinschmidt, with Mitsubishi's Alphand in third place. Peterhansel has moved from 11th to ninth position following today's win.
Tomorrow's stage will cover 792 km, from Tan Tan to Zouerat, with a 444 special and two connections of 336 and 12 km.
Stage 5 standings:
Pos Driver Make Time 1. Stephane Peterhansel (France) Mitsubishi 3:34:40 2. Mark Miller (United States) Volkswagen 3:35:52 3. Nani Roma (Spain) Mitsubishi 3:37:00 4. Jean-Louis Schlesser (France) Schlesser-Ford 3:38:51 5. Luc Alphand (France) Mitsubishi 3:39:07 6. Giniel de Villiers (South Africa) Volkswagen 3:39:07 7. Jutta Kleinschmidt (Germany) Volkswagen 3:39:58 8. Bruno Saby (France) Volkswagen 3:41:29 9. Carlos Sainz (Spain) Volkswagen 3:43:39 10. Thierry Magnaldi (France) Schlesser-Ford 3:44:32
Overall standings after stage 5:
Pos Driver Make Time 1. Carlos Sainz (Spain) Volkswagen 13:04:57 2. Jutta Kleinschmidt (Germany) Volkswagen 13:06:25 3. Luc Alphand (France) Mitsubishi 13:07:04 4. Mark Miller (United States) Volkswagen 13:07:13 5. Giniel de Villiers (South Africa) Volkswagen 13:07:18 6. Bruno Saby (France) Volkswagen 13:07:38 7. Nani Roma (Spain) Mitsubishi 13:08:42 8. Jean-Louis Schlesser (France) Schlesser-Ford 13:09:11 9. Stephane Peterhansel (France) Mitsubishi 13:14:22 10. Thierry Magnaldi (France) Schlesser-Ford 13:19:14
Share Or Save This Story
The underlying reasons why Russell won't be alarmed yet by Antonelli's start to F1 2026
GRD battles from the back for Fun Cup glory at Snetterton
How victory in Portugal could have a bearing on Hyundai’s WRC future plans
Why Bahrain and Saudi Arabia may still host a grand prix in F1 2026
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments