Two punctures, stuck throttle nullify Loeb's Dakar lead
Peugeot's Sebastien Loeb has lamented a problem-strewn Friday run that cost him the lead in the 2016 Dakar Rally.
The Frenchman held a lead of almost eight minutes over teammate Stephane Peterhansel at the beginning of the day, having already topped three stages in his first Dakar.
However, technical issues on Stage 6 proved costly as Loeb ended up passed by Peterhansel and now sits 27 seconds adrift.
"I had a first puncture, then I had to do the almost 80 kilometres with the accelerator blocked at full power, so I had to control it with a switch," Loeb said after the stage. "It was really complicated to drive like that.
"Finally, I got another puncture and we had to change a second wheel. So, yeah, it was a complicated day - hopefully it will be better over the next days.
"We lost first place, but, ok, there is still a long way to go. The problem will be solved and it will be better."
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