Carlos Sainz has taken command of Dakar 2014 after posting the quickest time on the rally’s fourth special stage today. The Spaniard finished the 657-kilometer stage in 7 hours, 30 minutes and 32 seconds, he was followed by Stephane Peterhansel, who despite his efforts, remains fifth overall.
Qatar’s Nasser Al-Attiyah was third quickest, thus maintaining third position overall, with a 7 minute gap to the leader; he is sandwiched by yesterday’s leader Nani Roma and Orlando Terranova who are second and fourth overall respectively.
Joan Barreda Bort finished day 4 sixth quickest. However, he remains in the motorcycle class lead followed by Marc Coma and Francisco Lopez Contardo; the latter clocked the second fastest time to move up to third position in the overall standings as Cyril Despres dropped back to sixth overall after finishing 16th today.
Gerard de Rooy extended his lead in the trucks category by winning today’s stage, crossing the finish line 1 minute and a half quicker than Russia’s Andrey Karginov who’s third overall and trails his opponent by 40 minutes. Marcel Van Vliet remains second overall despite being just sixth quickest.