Dakar Video Summary: Stage 12

Pending validation by the race stewards, Spaniard Carlos Sainz (VW) was victorious for a second time on a special in the 32nd Dakar, making it the 17th stage triumph of his career on the event. More importantly, with a time of de 3.30:29, “El Matador" beat his main rival for outright victory, his Qatari team-mate Nasser Al-Attiyah (VW), by 52" and his American team-mate Mark Miller (VW) by 4’22.

As a result, in the general standings, only 2 stages from the finish in Buenos Aires, Carlos Sainz has a little more breathing space out in front with a lead that now stands at 5’20 over Al-Attiyah. The position is more comfortable for American Mark Miller (VW), who is 3rd at 28’12 behind the race leader and who continues to ensure (for the moment!) a 1-2-3 for the Wolfsburg-based constructor.

In the Open category, unsurprisingly American Robby Gordon (Hummer) claimed his 11th triumph out of 12 specials, with the 7th best time of the day. Finally, in the Production category, Japan’s Jun Mitsuhashi won his 8th special on the 32nd edition, by beating Frenchmen Frederic Chavigny (Nissan) and Jean-Pierre Strugo (Nissan) by 7’54 and 9’08 respectively. In the general standings for the category after this 12th special, Japanese driver Mitsuhashi now boasts a lead of 6.31:23 over Spaniard Xavier Foj (Toyota) and 14.02;20 over France’s Chavigny (Nissan).