Dakar Rally: Walkner,Terranova, Bonetto, Mardeev top stage three; Santosh 53rd

BIKES: WALKNER WINS STAGE 3 ON DEBUT, BARREDA RETAINS OVERALL LEAD

Debutant Matthias Walkner beat some of the more experienced competitors to take victory in the third stage of the Dakar Rally on Tuesday, elevating himself to third in the overall standings.

The factory KTM rider had already impressed on the first two days, finishing in the top 10 at both occasions. However, it was until today that he showed a glimpse of his true pace that won him multiple titles in Motocross world championship.

Four-time Dakar Rally winner Marc Coma - who lost a heap of time yesterday due to a tyre issue - finished 40 seconds behind in second. Completing the top three was Honda rider Joan Barrera who continues to lead the standings following his impressive six minute victory in stage 2.

Coming to the Indian contingent in the prestigious endurance raid, CS Santosh finished the stage in 68th place but maintained an overall position of 53rd astride the #59 KTM. Meanwhile, French rider Alain Duclos ensured that the TVS Sherco team finished in the top 10 with countrymen Fabien Planet classified 25th.

Results

Matthias Walkner (KTM) 2:34:28
Marc Coma (KTM) +40
Joan Barreda (Honda) +1:53
Toby Price (KTM) +2:45
Paulo Goncalves (Honda) +2:49
Alain Duclos (Sherco TVS) +3:11
Ruben Faria (KTM) +3:26
Jeremias Israel (Honda) +4:02
Jordi Viladoms (KTM) +4:36
Juan Pedrero (Yamaha) +5:21

CARS: TERRANOVA DELIGHTS HOME CROWD FURTHER WITH STAGE VICTORY

Having crashed at the end of the special stage on Monday, Argentina's Orlando Terranova staged an impressive comeback in stage three of the Dakar Rally, ahead of the Toyota duo of Yazeed Alrajhi and Giniel De Villiers.

The victory proved to be even more crucial for the Mini driver, with his teammate and runaway leader Al-Attiyah finishing only fifth, five minutes down on the stage winner.

Peugeot finally seem to be getting the hang of their new car with veteran rally driver Carlos Sainz finishing fourth in the 2008 DKR and teammate Stéphane Peterhansel not far behind in seventh.

Results

Orlando Terranova (Mini) 2:57:28
Yazeed Alrajhi (Toyota) +1:54
Giniel De Villiers (Toyota) +2:52
Carlos Sainz (Peugeot) +4:06
Nasser Al-Attiyah (Mini) +4:14
Nani Roma (Mini) +5:58
Stéphane Peterhansel (Peugeot) +9:26
Erik Van Loon (Mini) +11:57
Ronan Chabot (SMG) +15:49
Christian Lavieille (Toyota) +16:28

QUADS - LUCAS BONETTO REIGNS SUPREME

In all Argentine affair for stage victory, Honda rider Lucas Bonetto came on top, beating countrymen Sebastian Halpern by a minute.

However, neither of the riders could dent Rafal Sonik’s commanding lead after the Polish rider finished third with a fine, if not a stellar drive in the 220 km stage.

Results

Lucas Bonetto (Honda) 3:08:27
Sebastian Halpern (Yamaha) +58
Rafal Sonik (Yamaha) +2:14
Gaston Gonzalez (Yamaha) +2:14
Mohammed Abu-Issa (Honda) 2:9
Sergio Lafuente (Yamaha) +2:39
Nelson Sanabria (Yamaha) +4:19
Ignacio Casale (Yamaha) +5:24
Daniel Domaszewski (Honda) +9:34
Walter Nosiglia (Honda) +9:52

TRUCKS: MARDEEV OVERHAULS STACEY IN OVERALL STANDINGS

Day three of the 36th Dakar Rally concluded with the Trucks race which saw a change in overall lead after Russia’s Airat Mardeev emerged on top in stage three, while previous leader Hans Stacey languished in a disappointing ninth place, losing over 12 minutes in the process.

With challenge from Stacey subsiding, 2014 Dakar Rally winner Andrey Karginov gave his countrymen a tough challenge, finishing less than two minutes behind in the second Kamaz.

MANS’ Loprais finished fourth on the road and is now Mardeev’s closest challenger, albeit eight minutes behind.

Results

Airat Mardeev (Kamaz) 3:19:06
Andrey Karginov (Kamaz) +1:51
Gerard de Rooy (Iveco) +4:30
Ales Loprais (MANS) +7:00
Dmitry Sotnikov (Kamaz) +7:32
Martin Kolomy (Tatra) +7:56
Siarhei Viazovich (Maz) +8:32
Eduard Nikoalev (Kamaz) +8:52
Hans Stacey (Iveco) +12:47
Wulfert Van Ginkel (Ginaf) +21:30