Dakar - 2013 | Stage 11, Day 12 - [LaRioja-Fiambala]

As the rally heads toward its conclusive day, the competition is getting tougher. Today, with just under 500kms of total itinerary and 220 km of special stage the sense of accomplishment and nervousness gets into the viens of the top runners. From here on, any mistakes will certainly break their chances of winning or even keeping their respective positions. Bikes, Quads, Cars & Trucks are the similar order in which it is going to happen.

A transport of 256 km will take the competition to their proving grounds for another 220 km, to end the day with another 6 km to the day's retiring camp at Fiambala. A total of 482 km waits for Bikes & Quads.

After an eventful day yesterday of David Casteu's retirement the KTM riders almost rule the top 6 positions. American Kurt Caselli won the stage today, while Husqvarna rider Portuguese Paulo Goncalves finished second fastest and overall leader Cyril Despres finished 6m down the day's winner.

On Quads, Honda rider Australian Paul Smith won the stage, and Gaston Gonzalez finished second, while overall rally leader Marcos Patronelli finished third.

As with bikes/quads, Cars & Trucks will tread 256 km of road section for 219 km of special, a different of the Bikes/Quads to ensure their safety in the heat of competition. Similar 6 km to end the day at the service park in Fiambala.

X-Raid, Mini All4 Racing driver Stephane Peterhansel was the first to start the day's action, followed by other few cars and the stage was geting beyond drivable. Heavy rains had made the dry riverbeds, which were crossed as part of the stage, virtually un-motorable.

After Checkpoint 2, the organisers decided to 'pull-the-plug' for the stage and cancelled completely for the trucks and few cars that were to start the stage and directed to the EoD service park/ferme.