The sands of south america have proved to be more difficult than planned and equally as hard to navigate.
The cancellation of Stage 11 due to heavy fog thoughout the course, came just as the rally was going through the Andes Mountains, an area thought to have some of the most dramatic scenery of the entire event. The loss of Stage 11 also comes at a critical point with rally leader Marc Coma holding a significant lead over second-place Frenchman David Frétigné, with third-place rider Cyril Despres only six minutes behind him. All riders are aware the top spots are still wide open as a rally never goes as planned.
Dakar participants will be spending today traveling to the Flambala bivouac in liaison where Stage 12 is on schedule to begin the following day.
Looking forward to the next stage:
In Stage 12 riders must tackle more sand as they enter Argentina and close in on the finish line. Competitors will be put to the test in this set of technical challenges as they attack the "white dunes".
The planned Stage 11 route prior to its cancellation.
1. COMA (ESP) KTM 43:52:30
2. FRETIGNE (FRA) YAMAHA 45:17:20
3. DESPRES (FRA) KTM 45:23:41
4. VILADOMS (ESP) KTM 45:49:10
5. RODRIGUES (PRT) KTM 45:58:08
6. CASTEU (FRA) KTM 46:00:15
7. ULLEVALSETER (NOR) KTM 46:04:12
8. LOPEZ (CHL) KTM 46:14:53
9. VERHOEVEN (NLD) KTM 46:18:04
10. KNUIMAN (NLD) KTM 46:56:55
