Photo by: A.S.O.
Tough day for Gordon but still anyone's race
Arica, Chile (January 11, 2012) - Stage 10 was the last stage in Chile for the competitors, and it would prove to be a harsh one to Robby Gordon in the last 30km. Gordon started off the line in first, but he lost time early to the MINIs of Nani Roma and Stephane Peterhansel. After checkpoint 1, he was only 3 minutes back and had fought his way back by checkpoint 3, when he was only 30 seconds behind Peterhansel on the road. He was in third place, only 2 minutes behind. Gordon was poised to attack with the overall leader in his sight.
Unfortunate events would occur hindering his chances of repeating his stage win. Gordon would limp his SPEED Energy/Toyo Tires HUMMER across the finish line fourth after a big crash during the stage. For him only lose by 13 minutes is quite remarkable.
"About 30km from the finish, I was right on Peterhansel's tail and we were hitting the sentinel telling him we were there. After multiple times he wouldn't move over. We both missed a way point, and I tried my hardest to get around him. When I got in his dust, we had a big crash. Should have rolled the thing, but it blew the rear wheel off the truck as well as hurt the A-arm and transmission. Being down nearly 20 minutes is a lot, but we won't let that stop us. We'll work through the night to get the car ready for tomorrow. Anything can happen...they can have a bad day too." Gordon commented after moving to third in the overall standings.
With only four stages remaining in this year's edition of the Dakar Rally, it looks to be a three-man race with Peterhansel, Roma and Gordon fighting for the overall victory. It is still anyone's race.
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