The heavy rain that affected Stage 5 of the 2017 Dakar Rally didn’t prevent Loeb/Elena from posting today’s fastest time. This evening’s leaderboard is topped by three PEUGEOT 3008DKRs, with Peterhansel/Cottret at the top of the pile in first place.
Poor weather led the organisers to chop 155km off today’s 447km competitive section which provided the drivers and navigators alike with more hard work. Most of the crews reported getting lost at some point.
Running fifth in order, Loeb/Elena collected today’s best time after visiting all the waypoints in front. The Franco/Monegasque crew is the first to claim two stage victories on this year’s event and their performance has seen them leapfrog from fourth to second place.
Peterhansel/Cottret were third fastest and are now in front, 1m9s clear of their team-mates, while navigational difficulties cost the overnight leaders Despres/Castera around 10 minutes.
TYPE OF TERRAIN: high altitudes and WRC-style tracks to begin with.
CONDITIONS: Rain early on, then drier.
WEATHER: Early rain, with temperatures ranging from 5°C to 21°C.
AVERAGE SPEED: 87kph
TOP SPEED: 183.4kph
CLASSIFICATION – LEG 5:
1. LOEB Sébastien (FRA) / ELENA Daniel (MON), PEUGEOT 3008DKR, 2h24m3s
2. ROMA Nani (ESP) / HARO Bravo (ESP), Toyota Hi-Lux, +44s
3. PETERHANSEL Stéphane (FRA) / COTTRET J-P. (FRA), PEUGEOT 3008DKR, +1m31s
4. DESPRES Cyril (FRA) / David CASTERA (FRA), PEUGEOT 3008DKR, +10m33s
5. DUMAS Romain (FRA) / GUEHENNEC Alain (FRA), PEUGEOT 3008DKR, +11m55s
PROVISIONAL STANDINGS AFTER LEG 5
1. PETERHANSEL Stéphane (FRA) / COTTRET J-P. (FRA), PEUGEOT 3008DKR, 14h2m58s
2. LOEB Sébastien (FRA) / ELENA Daniel (MON), PEUGEOT 3008DKR, +1m9s
3. DESPRES Cyril (FR) / David CASTERA (FRA), PEUGEOT 3008DKR, +4m54s
4. ROMA Nani (ESP) / HARO Bravo (ESP), Toyota Hi-Lux, +5m35s
5. HIRVONEN Mikko (FIN) / PERIN Michel (FRA), Mini, +42m21s