Congratulations no 307!
Finally it did happen today, Guerlain Chicherit and Tina Thörner in the BMW X-raid team, did take their first stage win in the 2010 Dakar rally!
Stage 11, that one stage they will not forget! And neither will the French fans, Chicherit did keep his promise as of last week to give them a top three position. Vive La France! Vive Chicherit! Good teamwork there, bien sure!
Do you remember the track record of their performance up till now? No? Okey, here´s a reminder:
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | |
| Stage | 84 | 2 | 5 | 12 | 6 | 9 | 5 | 8 | 4 | 5 | 1 | - | - | - |
| Overall | 84 | 28 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | - | - | - |
Stage 1 - The race begins, Chichi and Tina ends up 84th due to major technical errors, engine goes dead just as the rally is to start! Merde! Winner of the first stage is Roma.
Stage 2 - Starting from way back, they do make an extraordinary journey in the result list this day. And Chicherit has proven himself. Reaching the finish as car no 2, in 2nd position. Formidable! Nasser Al Attiyah wins, Tinas was the co-driver of Nasser in the 2009 Dakar rally.
Stage 3 - Engine running hot, heavy sand, other cars overtaking them on the stage, finishing 5th. Peterhansel wins today.
Stage 4 - Crossing the Andés, getting a flat tire, but out of battery, using ordinary tools to change, losing a lot of time. Finishing 12th, and twelve minutes behind winning Robby Gordon in his huge Hummer.
Stage 5 - Mark Miller finishes the stage first, Tina and Chichi loses time due to flat tire, helping Peterhansel who has some sort of a leak, and the engine goes dead again. Position is 6th of the day.
Stage 6 - Some navigation problems today, Tina rips off her helmet cable, and gives Chichi hand signals for 30 kilometers. Finishing 9th on the stage, winner of the day is team mate Peterhansel, again,
Stage 7 - Two punctures and problems with the engine turning off, again, finishing 5fh behind stage winner Al Attiyah.
Stage 8 - Team mate Peterhansel wins. Three flat tires, but not the only ones with trouble on the stretch.Chicherit and Tina finishes 8th.
Stage 9 - Entire stage is like a massive playground of sand, reasuring Peterhansel won´t get stuck, Eurosport camera mounted in car, Al Attiyah wins, Chichi and Tina ends up 4th, Tina eats dinner together with Norweigan Pål Anders Ullevålseter in the evening.
Stage 10 - No breaks! A day ending up with Chicherit breaking with his left leg. Finishing 5th, only 2 minutes behind winning Sainz. Rock concert in the evening.
Stage 11 - Finally - delivery on time, starting out in the lead of the stage, being overtaken by Peterhansel, regains control on the stage - and finally - securing a number one position, winner of the stage: Chicherit/Thörner!
So what are their chances on advancing? Sainz in the lead, with a difference of 2h23m40s, and three stages to go...
| 1 | 303 | SAINZ (ESP) CRUZ (ESP) | VOLKSWAGEN | 39:16:55 | 00:00:00 | |
| 2 | 306 | AL-ATTIYAH (QAT) GOTTSCHALK (DEU) | VOLKSWAGEN | 39:21:23 | 00:04:28 | |
| 3 | 305 | MILLER (USA) PITCHFORD (ZAF) | VOLKSWAGEN | 39:40:45 | 00:23:50 | |
| 4 | 301 | PETERHANSEL (FRA) COTTRET (FRA) | BMW | 41:26:48 | 02:09:53 | |
| 5 | 307 | CHICHERIT (FRA) THOERNER (CHE) | BMW | 41:40:35 | 02:23:40 |
Related:
Interview with Chicherit regarding Tina as a co-driver (1.57min)
Going to be a great 3 day run. Should be very interesting!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your efforts in putting this together. Your stuff is wonderful here and VERY much appreciated! God Bless and thanks!
Thank you so much! Kindest regards,
ReplyDeleteMarie