The Dakar Rally was able to complete a full race day for the first time in a week, as the competition linked Chilecito and San Juan, in the west of Argentina. Stage 10 was the longest special in the race, as partial or full cancellations were made in the previous five stages. Yesterday, drivers of all categories drove 449 timed kilometres to reach the bivouac in San Juan.
It was not an easy day for IVECO, although Gerard de Rooy had a strong start in his #500 Powerstar. The PETRONAS De Rooy IVECO Team leader was less than a minute behind the first truck at Waypoint 1, but then fell 23m43s back as two flat tyres cost him time. Although he managed to hang on to the third place he was holding in the morning, he is now 24m17s behind the leader.
Ton van Genugten and Wuf van Ginkel’s Trakkers started behind their teammate De Rooy, and both suffered in this hard stage. In the first section they lost half an hour and finished in the Top 15. Van Genugten finished 35m02s behind leader Nikolaev, while Van Ginkel placed his #525 Trakker 37m54s behind.
Federico Villagra, behind the wheel of his #502 Iveco Powerstar, lost more than half an hour in this difficult special that took away his chances of climbing up in the classification. The Argentine remains in fourth place, but almost one hour behind the leader’s Kamaz.
The race is approaching Buenos Aires, where on Saturday 14th the ceremonial finish will take place and winners will receive their trophies at the an end of the 9,000 kilometre trek along South American routes.
Stage 10 Results – Dakar 2017
1. Eduard Nikolaev (Kamaz) 5h33m06s
2. Dmitry Sotnikov (Kamaz) +7m01s
3. Airat Mardeev (Kamaz) +7m41s
4. Siarhei Viazovich (Maz) +12m51s
5. Ales Loprais (Tatra) +16m04s
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7. Gerard de Rooy (IVECO) +23m43s
9. Federico Villagra (IVECO) +30m27s
13. Ton van Genugten (IVECO) +35m02s
15. Wuf van Ginkel (IVECO) + 37m54s
Overall Classification – Dakar 2017
1. Eduard Nikolaev (Kamaz) 23h27m12s
2. Dmitry Sotnikov (Kamaz) +5m15s
3. Gerard de Rooy (IVECO) +24m17s
4. Federico Villagra (IVECO) +57m47s
5. Pascal de Baar (Renault) +1h18m47s
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20. Ton van Genugten (IVECO) +6h37m41s
21. Wuf van Ginkel (IVECO) + 7h54m25s