05 Jan 2020

Day1 results: Alonso survives first #Dakar2020 stage dominated by Minis

Al Wajh, Saudi Arabia, Jan 5, 2020 - Dakar Rally debutant Fernando Alonso avoided any first stage pitfalls as the 2020 edition of motorsport's gruelling 7500 kilometre marathon began in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.

Alonso, trying to make history as the first Formula One champion to win the event, completed the drive from Jeddah to Al Wajh in his Toyota in 11th place.

The 38-year-old Spaniard, with five-time Dakar bike champion Marc Coma navigating, was over quarter of an hour behind surprise stage winner Vaidotas Zala.

Toyota Gazoo Racing ???? driver Fernando Alonso chats to @sean_parkersa about the punctures he suffered on the first stage of his Dakar debut. Alonso and co-driver Marc Coma finished 11th quickest. #dakarrally #dakar2020 @ToyotaSA pic.twitter.com/jEZXX0EazX
— Wheels24 (@Wheels24) January 5, 2020

The Lithuanian led home a 1-2-3 for Mini, 2mins 14sec clear of teammates Stephane Peterhansel, the 13-time Dakar champion, and Carlos Sainz.

Last year's winner Nasser Al-Attiyah led the way for over 200km but he had to settle for fourth place after late mechanical problems with his Toyota.

#Dakar2020 Stage 1 ??:@Sean_ParkerSA pic.twitter.com/Xbez0SSMb0
— Wheels24 (@Wheels24) January 5, 2020

Defending motorbike champion Toby Price won Sunday's first bike stage.

The 32-year-old Australian KTM rider completed the 752km route over two minutes clear of American Ricky Brabec on a Honda with Austrian Matthias Walkner on another KTM in third.

Dakar 2020 results after stage 1

Cars:

1. Vaidotas Zala-Saulius Jurgelenas (LTU-LTU/Mini) 3h19:04,
2. Stephane Peterhansel-Paulo Fiuza (FRA-POR/Mini) at 2mins 14secs,
3. Carlos Sainz-Lucas Cruz (ESP-ESP/Mini) 2:50,
4. Nasser Al-Attiyah-Matthieu Baumel (QAT-FRA/Toyota) 5:33,
5. Bernhard Ten Brinke-Tom Colsoul (NED-BEL/Toyota) 6:30,
6. Mathieu Serradori-Fabian Lurquin (FRA-BEL/Century) 6:55,
7. Orlando Terranova-Bernardo Graue (ARG-ARG/Mini) 7:15,
8. Yazeed Al Rajhi-Konstantin Zhiltsov (KSA-RUS/Toyota) 11:46,
9. Vladimir Vasilyev-Vitaliy Yevtyekhov (RUS-UKR/Mini) 13:25,
10. Erik Van Loon-Sebastien Delaunay (NED-FRA/Toyota) 13:58

Motorcycles:

1. Toby Price (AUS/KTM) 3h21:33 (penalty: 2:00),
2. Ricky Brabec (USA/Honda) at 5secs,
3. Matthias Walkner (AUT/KTM) 40,
4. Kevin Benavides (ARG/Honda) 2:31,
5. Sam Sunderland (GBR/Ktm) 3:15,
6. Pablo Quintanilla (CHI/Husqvarna) 3:36,
7. Joan Barreda Bort (ESP/Honda) 5:51,
8. Luciano Benavides (ARG/Ktm) 6:56,
9. Andrew Short (USA/Husqvarna) 7:03,
10. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA/Yamaha) 7:52

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred

Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.

Join News24 today

description

username

Show Comments ()