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WATCH | Alonso finishes 13th in maiden Dakar Rally

Fernando Alonso completed his first Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia, finishing 13th overall in the highly-competitive T1 class in a South African-built Toyota Gazoo Racing Hilux. 

It took Alonso and navigator Marc Coma, 47 hours 42 minutes to complete the 12 grueling stages. 

The two-time Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso finished nearly five hours behind compatriot Carlos Sainz, in the X-Raid Mini, his third Dakar win. 2019 champion Nasser Al-Attiyah finished second in the Toyota.  

Alonso came second in one stage but his first participation in the Dakar was a bruising affair as the 38-year-old Spaniard suffered a double rollover in the 10th stage after hitting a dune at an awkward angle, AFP reports.

The former McLaren driver took part in an extensive rally raid program over the past seven months, with the goal to get Dakar-ready. 

"Amazing, this is the toughest rally in the world and to be here after 12 stages is not easy. But we have an amazing team, so thanks (team principal) Glynn (Hall) and thanks to Toyota. See you soon," Alonso said at the closing podium ceremony in Haradh. 

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Image: AFP / Franck Fife 

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