DAKAR: LEADERS STRIKE ISSUES ON DAY 4

Defending champion Sam Sunderland crashed out of Dakar 2018 – Photo: Red Bull

Defending champion and overnight bike class leader, Sam Sunderland is out of the Dakar Rally as the fourth day of the event claimed several key contenders.

Stage four of Dakar 2018 pushed the athletes and their machines to and even beyond the limit during the 330km route around San Juan de Marcona in Peru.

The bike class order was shaken up when KTM rider Sunderland had to be evacuated by helicopter after an accident during the stage.

The British rider was taken to hospital with back pain, and doctors have ruled him out of continuing in the event. At the time he had over four minute lead over his nearest rival, Yamaha’s Adrian van Beveren who took both the stage win and moved into the lead in the general classification.

Australian Toby Price continued his steady progress up the order, moving up to sixth in the general classification. Rodney Faggotter (Yamaha) made his way up to 18th, while Dakar Rookie Scott Britnell (KTM) now sits in 89th.

Sebastien Loeb was fastest in the car class on stage four – Photo: Red Bull

Meanwhile, in the car class, Sebastien Loeb took out the stage four win as some of the early pace-setters struck issues.

Loeb traded fastest checkpoint times with fellow Peugeot teammates Carlos Sainz and Stephane Peterhansel, to end the day fastest, also moving into second in the general standings. Peterhansel continues to lead the class, while Sainz moved into third.

“On WRC stages you lose two minutes sometimes, here you can lose 30 or more so it is very different. We are doing a good job at the moment though.” said Loeb at the end of the day.

Yesterday’s stage winner Nasser Al-Attiyah stuck issues with his Toyota roughly half-way through the stage. He was forced to stop briefly but was able to continue. However, the Qatari driver dropped almost an hour on the Peugeots at the front of the field.

Peugeot didn’t get through the stage without issues either. Day two leader, who was runner-up heading into the day, Cyril Despres was forced to stop and wait for assistance after suffering a broken wheel and suspension damage on his 3008DKR Maxi.

Stephane Peterhansel continues to lead the car class – Photo: Red Bull

Dakar Bike Class Standings (Stage 4)

Dakar Car Class Standings (Stage 4)

For more of the latest international motorsport news, pick up the latest issue of Auto Action Magazine, on sale now. Also make sure you follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or our weekly email newsletter for all the latest updates between issues.