Tim and Tom Coronel finished the last stage before the rest day in style. During the dune stage to Riyadh, the brothers finished 37th, over 41 minutes behind the stage winner. « It was a beautiful stage, » says Tom. « Big dunes, very soft. But we had a problem-free stage, no flat tire, no problems with the car. Everything felt really good. »
The 331-kilometer special through the Qassim region was packed with sand dunes, exactly as predicted. « Dunes, dunes, dunes and more dunes, » Tim sums it up. « At one point I’d had enough, I asked Tom how much longer? » Tom laughs about it: « After 200 kilometers, the edge was just wearing off, and Tim says: ‘I’m completely done with this’. Then I said ‘well, we’re only just past halfway’. »
Chase through the dunes
The highlight of the day was the battle with Mark Mustermann. « We actually drove together the whole time, » Tom says enthusiastically. « That was great fun. Sometimes he was in front, then we were in front, then him again. I think he spent 80 percent of the stage on our bumper. He also said ‘the pace is just right, it feels really good’. »
It got exciting at the end. « The last four kilometers we had a race with about four or five guys and we got them nicely, » says Tom. « That was fun. »
Two dunes too steep
Not all dunes could be conquered. « We had two that we couldn’t even get over and two that we drove around, » Tom explains. « So yeah, I’m sure a lot of people had trouble with those. » The dunes were impressive. « There was really quite a contrast. Also some really nasty ones and a lot of spectators, I noticed that too. There were really a lot of spectators in the dunes. »
Tim found it ultimately a successful day. « At the beginning we couldn’t quite find the rhythm, then we dug everything up again and yeah, I actually thought it was really cool. It was a beautiful but difficult stage. There was a really good pace. It was actually just enjoying it. »
Found the pace with rest day in sight
Tom is happy with how the stage went. « I think these are the stages where we belong. The people around us all had about the same speed, so that looked good. Really good even. » Tim agrees: « We’ve got it nailed. Tomorrow a nice rest day just when we were picking up the pace a bit, but well. We’re definitely there. »
After six tough stages, the well-deserved rest day has finally arrived. Tim and Tom can catch their breath in Riyadh while the team thoroughly works on the Century CR7 T1+. The mechanics get the chance to check all systems and prepare the car for the second week. For the brothers, it means recovering: despite all the setbacks, they’re steadily climbing through the rankings and have found their rhythm. The second week of the Dakar can begin.