Dakar: Sebastien Loeb wins the ninth stage

Sebastien Loeb’s victory ended the ninth stage of the Dakar rally raid, which took place between the cities of Riyadh and Harad.

The Prodrive rider took the lead at kilometer 123 and was 3 minutes and 7 seconds ahead of Lithuanian teammate Vaidotas Žal at the finish. Prodrive’s success on the podium was confirmed by Guerlain Chichery, who finished four minutes behind Loeb.

Dakar leader Nasser Al-Attiyah finished eighth, almost nine minutes behind Loeb. Al-Attiyah, however, increased his lead in the individual competition. The fact is that Hen Lategan, who took second place, lost about forty minutes 18 kilometers after the start due to technical problems.

After nine stages, Al-Attiyah is 1 hour 21 minutes 57 seconds ahead of closest pursuer Lucas Moraes of Toyota and 1 hour 43 minutes ahead of Sébastien Loeb, who moved up to third after today’s success.

On Tuesday, Mattias Ekström was the best of the Audi team and finished fourth, but the main focus was on his teammate Carlos Sainz Sr. The Spaniard suffered a serious accident barely six kilometers after the start when his car flipped over while overcoming the dune.

Initially, the Spanish rider planned to retire due to chest pains, he was taken away by a medical helicopter, but halfway to the hospital, Carlos changed his mind and asked to return to the scene of the accident. Technical assistance from Audi came to Sainz Sr. to recover the car and continue the rally raid.

Another serious accident occurred among motorcyclists. Spaniard Joan Barreda lost control of his Honda 16 kilometers after the start. He got to his feet on his own, but after complaining of back pain, he was taken by helicopter to a hospital in Riyadh.

The tenth stage of the Dakar will be held on Wednesday between the cities of Harad and Shaiba.