Stage 6: 347km, second « loop » around Riyadh
For this second loop around Riyadh, the Dakar headed south east to propose the stage motorbikes raced yesterday. With numerous tracks that have been left on the ground yesterday, this 6th stage was announced difficult with navigation. It started on a very fast terrain with many « off tracks » sections where it was important to follow the right capes indicated in the roadbook.
After many stony areas through canyons, some opened flat area had to be crossed before the last kilometers proposing dune crossings with many spectators, where finding the right track wasn’t an easy task, especially with all the cheering people placed on dune edges, making it even harder.
After yesterday’s wrong tires choice, we tried another compound and that was the right solution. The car was behaving a lot better and offered even more comfort to the crew that seemed very ‘fresh’ when back to the bivouac.
The stage went pretty well on the driving and navigation aspects, but unfortuately Jerome & Mika suffered a puncture on a stony section and also an alert when they felt something was going wrong with the rear left suspension. First, they thought about another puncture, but it was a suspension part that was getting unscrewed due to the effort placed on it on such rocky terrain. Then they lost a bunch of time, more or less 15 minutes fixing it, before getting back on the right pace and pushing hard again!
We finished 14th in stage but remain 7th overall in T4 class. Of course some of our competitors are now closer than yesterday, but for sure the rest day proposed tomorrow will allo the team to re-new the whole car and get stronger for the second week. Now time for some rest time in Riyadh!
Jérôme de Sadeleer – Driver : « Today i think I was on the right pace, pushing hard and feeling very « comfy » in the car. Unfortunately we still had a puncture and a suspension issue. At some point I felt the car acting weird and looking into the mirror I saw the rear left wheel not straight in line. We lost 15minutes fixing it. Now we will rest one day and be bacon top form monday »
Mika Metge – Navigator : « That tire choice was the good one, and I must say I’m very fresh tonight and ready to go for another loop. We will use them again in the second week for sure. Of course we had that puncture and suspension problem but we feel like we are doing better and better, I guess we can regain the time lost and keep fighting for position as the road to Jeddah is still very long »
Cyril Neveu – Team Manager : « Each day is different in the Dakar and we have to keep that in mind all the time. There is some good days and some are worse. But all in all it is a solid pace that Jerome and Mika showed during this first week. it is now time to re-built a new car for the second week, where it will count for the final standings. The crew will rest tomorrow while the mechanics will work hard! »