The Dakar arrived to the Atacama Desert, the driest land in the world, and the competitors raced 455 km in two sections. Sand and dunes were again in the menu, but also, in the second part of it, the fesh-fesh played tricks hiding rocks.
Calama was the second bivouac in Chile this week. It is a mining town, located next to the biggest copper open pit mine in the world, Chuquicamata. For Lucio Alvares and Ronnie Graue, it was an excellent day. The Argentinean crew finished 7th, right behind their team mate Giniel De Villiers.
The day had a harsh start, Lucio woke up sick of his stomach, but the medicine administrated worked fast and helped him to recover in a short time. Lucio arrived to Calama with a big smile and his eyes were shining. He really enjoyed the fast tracks of the second portion of the special.
“During the first part, tells Lucio, we were well positioned in the times, we were third. Then, in the last dune I was trapped and we lost seven minutes trying to get out! Then, it was perfect! The second portion of the special was like WRC roads, and it made me feel like in the tracks of Finland, like in the course I took last autumn with Tapio Laukkanen. They changed my life steering wise.”
Tomorrow, the Dakar will arrive to Argentina after traversing the Andes Mountains by the Paso de Jama, Lucio and Ronnie will be back in their home country.
Stage 6: Provisional Standings
1. Al Attiyah/Cruz (Buggy) 3h32’08 Total
2. Peterhansel/Cottret (Mini) 8’36 from the leader
3. Gordon/Walch (Hummer) 13’52
4. Terranova/Fiuza (Mini) 14’13
5. Novitski/Zhitlov (Mini) 37’35
7.ALVAREZ/GRAUE (TOYOTA OVERDRIVE) 10’18
Stage 7 : Provisional Overall Standings :
1. Peterhansel/Cottret (Mini) 14h36’16 Total
2. Al Attiyah/Cruz (Buggy) 1’18 from the leader
3. de Villiers/von Zitzewitz (TOYOTA) 42’31
4. Novitski/Zhitlov (Mini) 44’47
5. Chabot/Pillot (SMG) 1h27’52
10.ALVAREZ/GRAUE (TOYOTA OVERDRIVE) 4h15’01