Second stage and leadership, Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz (Audi RS Q e-tron), are the leaders of the Dakar Rallye after today’s second day of the Arabian test between the towns of Henakiyah and Al Duwadimi, with a timed section of 463 kilometers. The Audi drivers finished the day in eighth position, just over 17 minutes behind stage winner Stéphane Peterhansel.

Carlos Sainz: “Today was a very intense and complicated stage, especially in terms of navigation. We started second, but when we overtook De Mevius and had to open the track we lost time. We hope to make up for it tomorrow by starting from further back.“.

Tomorrow’s stage
Stage 3: Al Duwadimi and Al Salamiya Link > 295 km – Special > 438 km
The Dakar gets off to a strong start with a marathon stage before the halfway point of the first week. The first part is contested along a very varied special stage, where the rocky sections give way to sandy horizons, and later to dune areas. Alternating between fast, slow and hilly sections, you can never find your cruising pace. And of course, there is an important limitation to take into account: the vehicles will only have two hours of assistance at the end of the special stage before heading to the marathon bivouac and a closed park.