Dakar 2012 - Scandinavian standings stage 11

Today the rally finally moved in to Peru and new territory...a historical mark in the Dakar rally history. A stage that lead many astray and in to a river bed. To some it was too late before they started correcting their error, getting their engines flooded, and others stuck in the mud.

Top duel first: Cyril Despres increased his lead in the 2012 Dakar again, but also he did a navigational mistake and chose the wrong direction early on the stage, and in good company of Barreda and Coma. Managed to sort it out in time and is now in the lead by 2.22. Anything can happen on the last three stages, Marc Coma certainly not giving the win away without putting up a fight.

The Vikings aka the Scandinavian contestants continued to advance in to Peru and in the overall standings. Without a doubt all of them determined to reach the finish and all of them advancing in the overall. But Norwegian Pål Anders Ullevåseter, still holding a 7th position and 27 minutes ahead of him the 6th position. Unless a withdrawal or a major error occur in the top a miracle is needed to advance much further.

And that Captain Berglund must have had some difficulties on the stage, still advancing in the overall, as he was 79th at some point and finishing 65th.

Danish Jes Munk finished 43rd on the stage, saying he was being very careful crossing the rivers as he saw other riders with dismounted bikes on the river side. His one and only goal is to reach the finish.

Ronnie Bodinger reports that he had a good ride, bike working well only problem was getting caught in the fesh-fesh and his rib reminding him of it´s existence.79th on the stage.


Provisional standings stage 11: Arica-Arequipa
Special Stage 534km
Connection: 171km
Total: 705km

OVERALL
1 (2) Cyril Despres (FRA) 09.07.39
7 (6) Pål Anders Ullevålseter (NOR) +02.04.06
38 (29) Thomas Berglund (SWE) +10.21.22
56 (86) Jes Munk (DEN) +13:17:22
80 (107) Ronnie Bodinger (SWE) +21:55:19