Dakar 2019: Al-Attiyah leads in Cars, Brabec leads Moto class after Stage 4
The 2019 edition of the Dakar Rally is getting tougher with each stage, and several competitors got caught out during Stage 3 of the rally. The fourth stage of the rally, which was also the first half of the marathon stage, saw Nasser Al-Attiyah top the timing sheets in the car category. Over the 406km long special stage (split by the 55km neutralisation) Al-Attiyah, in the Toyota Hilux, set a time of 3hr 38min 49sec.
Even though it was Mr Dakar himself, X-Raid Mini's Stephane Peterhansel, who initially led the stage, Al-Attiyah moved into the lead at the second waypoint, after which he was unbeatable all through. Finishing third in the stage was Orlen X-Raid's Jakub Przygonski.
The victory in Stage 4 means that Al-Attiyah is also in the overall lead of the Car category of the event. Second place in the overall rankings, nine minutes adrift of the Qatari driver, is Peterhansel. Third overall is Mini 4x4 driver Nani Roma.
It was a tough day for PH Sport Peugeot's Sebastien Loeb. The Frenchman, who is nine-time WRC champion spent most of the day third, but ended the stage fifth. This puts him sixth overall after four stages in the 2019 Dakar, fifty minutes adrift of Al-Attiyah.
In the Moto category, Honda Racing Corporation's Ricky Brabec set the fastest time in Stage 4. This ensured him the overall lead of the Dakar, wresting top spot away from Husqvarna's Pablo Quintanilla. Brabec led the stage at every single waypoint, and scored what is only his second stage win in the Dakar.
Reigning champion Matthias Walkner ended the fourth stage second, followed by his KTM teammate Toby Price. Price also occupies third overall behind Brabec and Quintanilla in the Moto class after four stages of the 2019 Dakar.
In the Quad category, Nicolas Cavigliasso took victory in the fourth stage, extending his overall lead in the category. While in the SxS class, it was Sergey Karyakin who took victory in Stage 4, moving into the overall lead as well.
The battle between the Kamaz drivers continued in the Truck category. Andrey Karginov ended up taking the Stage win in the truck class, but the overall lead in the category continued to remain with his teammate Eduard Nikolaev.
Sherco TVS rider Lorenzo Santolino continued to perform strongly, managing to end Stage 4 in 10th, putting him 13th overall. Michael Metge ended the stage 17th, putting him 26th overall, while his brother Adrien Metge ended the fourth stage 21st, but is ranked 16th overall. Indian rider Aravind KP ended the fourth stage 78th, putting him 64th overall after four stages of rallying.