For once the weather wasn’t the toughest part of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. Today it was the stage itself that raised the stakes.
At 280km Stage 4 was the longest, but it was also the most varied with several technically challenging sections.
First out of the blocks and first home were the bikes. Here, event favourite Sam Sunderland (GBR) was opening the stage.
While the world champion put on an impressive display, it was the Chilean rider Jose Cornejo (CHL) that posted the fastest time. But Sunderland is playing the long game. An 18 second leading margin keeps him at the top of the overall scores, leaving Cornejo to open the stage tomorrow. Sunderland starts sixth with the advantage of chasing tracks rather than making them.
The day had been hard for others across all classes. In the cars, Jakub Przygonski(POL) was due to open the stage but suffered a technical problem minutes before his start. Despite the team’s best efforts to get him on his way, Przygonski was forced to retire from the stage. His shot at overall victory was over, a crushing blow.
Dutch driver Bernard Ten Brinke (NED) was also keen to take the crown, perhaps too keen as he rolled his Toyota while forcing a blistering pace. He then suffered another accident forcing him and his co-driver Tom Colsoul (BEL) to be airlifted. Neither were understood to have suffered serious injuries.
For overall race leaders Stéphane (FRA) and Andrea Peterhansel (GER), two of their three closest competitors were now out of the running. So too was Martin Prokop(CZE) who’s Ford Raptor broke down again, delivering more bad news on top of an already frustrating week. Their main competitor now is Khalid Al Qassimi (ARE) and co-driver Xavier Panseri (FRA) who are just over 18mins behind.
For the Peterhansels, a steady performance has paid dividends as they stretch ahead of their remaining contenders, but if today taught anyone anything, it was to take nothing for granted.
Leading positions after ANDOC Stage 4 (provisional)
Cars
1. Stephane Peterhansel / Andrea Peterhansel (FRA / DEU) / MINI JCWorks Rally 15:13:16.0
2. Khalid Al Qassimi / Xavier Panseri (ARE / FRA) / Peugeot 3008 DKR 15:31:51.0
3. Aron Domzala / Maciej Marton (POL / POL) / Toyota Hilux Overdrive 15:59:28.0
4. Vladimir Vasilyev / Konstantin Zhiltsov (RUS / RUS) / BMW X3 16:09:15.0
5. Reinaldo Varela / Gustavo Gugelmin (BRA / BRA) / CAN AM Maverick X3 16:46:59.0
6. Casey Currie / Laurent Lichtleuchter (USA / FRA) / CAN AM Maverick X3 16:47:42.0
7. Martin Prokop / Viktor Chytka (CZE / CZE) / Ford Raptor RS Cross Country 17:16:45.0
8. Cyril Despres / Daniel Oliveras (FRA / ESP) / Mini John Cooper Works Buggy 19:25:04.0
Bikes
1. Sam Sunderland (GBR) / KTM 450 Rally Factory / 1 15:06:43.0
2. Jose Cornejo (CHL) / Honda CRF 450 Rally / 1 15:07:01.0
3. Luciano Benavides (ARG) / KTM 450 Rally Factory / 1 15:11:37.0
4. Kevin Benavides (ARG) / Honda CRF 450 Rally / 1 15:27:59.0
5. Andrew Short (USA) / HUSQVARNA FR 450 / 1 15:42:31.0
6. Mark Ackerman (ZAF) / HUSQVARNA F 450 RR / 1 16:05:53.0
7. Ryan Blair (GBR) / HUSQVARNA F 450 RR / 1 16:19:20.0
8. Mohammed Meshari Jaffar (KWT) / KTM 450 Rally Replica / 1 16:23:26.0
9. Mohammed Al Balooshi (ARE) / KTM 450 Rally Replica / 1 16:32:23.0
10. Fahad Al Musallam (KWT) / Yamaha Raptor 700 / 2 18:27:02.0