Dakar / Peugeot 2008 DKRs take a one-two!
Following bad weather on the previous day, the second leg of the rally was shortened by 123 kilometres, leaving 387 kilometres of competitive action.
The Peugeot 2008 DKR claimed its first-ever Dakar stage win and also its first one-two, thanks to Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena, who were 2m23s quicker than team mates Stéphane Peterhansel and Jean-Paul Cottret. This also happens to be the margin between first and second in the overall classification.
Cyril Despres and David Castera, who were just five seconds off Peterhansel for much of the stage, put in a good performance to finish seventh, just four minutes off the stage winner.
During a heavy braking area 112 kilometres into the stage, the engine of the car crewed by Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz stalled and refused to immediately fire up again. The Spaniard finally got going after losing more than 13m20s. He soon regained a rapid pace to end the stage just over 11 minutes behind the leader.
Bruno Famin, Peugeot Sport director
Today has been good. It demonstrates what we came here looking for. Our cars have shown themselves to be competitive. Thats satisfying but we have to stay humble and concentrated, as we have also shown some vulnerability with the problem on Carloss car. But that side of things is also what we came here to find out. There will undoubtedly be other various problems and challenges that we will encounter on the way. But for now, its our first Dakar stage win, and not only that but a one-two as well. Our four crews are all in the fight, and that is good to see.
Sébastien Loeb (PEUGEOT 2008 DKR n°314)
It was a tricky stage and Im glad to have come out of it unscathed. Im a bit surprised to have set fastest time though. We had a bit of a moment in a mudhole where quite a few people got stuck. The 2008DKR is on the pace even on these twisty roads. Tomorrow we will be first on the road and that will be another story, but Daniel and myself are here to learn.
Carlos Sainz (PEUGEOT 2008 DKR n°303)
Its been a difficult day. We were going well at the start of the stage but then the car suddenly stopped. We tried to start it up again several times and checked everything. I think we lost around 13 or 14 minutes. We got going one minute behind Nani Roma in the end. Then we pushed hard and overtook several other competitors. Its a pity that we lost time, but Im encouraged to see that our car is competitive on a stage that did not really suit two-wheel drive cars.
Stéphane Peterhansel (PEUGEOT 2008 DKR n°301), 2nd on the stage
I actually thought we werent that quick and we were sliding a lot. I felt a little frustrated in the car so Im quite surprised that we were second-fastest. Cyril isnt far away either, so thats a positive sign for our new car. As for Sebs performance, thats no surprise. Today was the type of terrain that hes been driving on for years.
Cyril Despres ((PEUGEOT 2008 DKR n°321), 7th on the stage
We drove a very good stage. The 2008 DKR has made a lot of progress. The pleasure we took in driving the car today, without taking any risks, is a real satisfaction. I actually didnt attack too much. I wanted to know if I had improved as a driver and the conclusion is very positive.
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Leg 2 stage classification (Villa Carlos Paz-Termas Rio Hondo)
1. Sébastien Loeb (FRA)/Daniel Elena (MC), PEUGEOT 2008 DKR 3h45m46s
2. Stéphane Peterhansel (FRA)/Jean-Paul Cottret (FRA), PEUGEOT 2008 DKR, +2m23s
3. Giniel De Villiers (ZAF)/Dirk Von Zitzewitz (DEU), Toyota Hilux, + 3m01s
4. Mikko Hirvonen (FIN)/Michel Perin (FRA), Mini All 4 Racing, + 3m05s
5. Leeroy Poulter (ZAF)/ Robert Howie (ZAF), Toyota Hilux, +3m20s
7. Cyril Despres (FRA)/David Castera (FRA), PEUGEOT 2008 DKR, + 4m00s (+1mn pénalité)
14. Carlos Sainz (ESP)/Lucas Cruz (ESP), PEUGEOT 2008 DKR, + 11m03s
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