The 430km second stage of the Dakar Rally from Sea Camp to Alula provided one of the toughest challenges in recent memory, showcasing the harsh realities of the race’s demanding terrain.
This stage, renowned for its stunning landscapes, turned into a battlefield of endurance and resilience, particularly for Sebastien Loeb and his BRX Prodrive Hunter team.
From the outset, the stage proved to be a formidable test. Hard rock on the route caused numerous tire failures, and Loeb, who had been in a promising second place just ten seconds behind the leader, fell to 26th in the provisional standings due to a prolonged halt in the desert.
The unforgiving conditions highlighted the sheer difficulty of this year’s Dakar Rally. Defending champion Nasser Al Attiyah seized the opportunity to win the stage, closing in on the lead with Carlos Sainz, who now holds only a 2-minute 12-second advantage.
Meanwhile, Loeb’s teammates faced their own set of trials. Guerlain Chicherit and Alex Winocq, starting the day in fourth place, suffered from multiple punctures early in the stage. Their misfortune forced them into emergency repairs, dropping them from their strong position.
Orly Terranova and Alex Haro, who began the stage in fifth place, also experienced a challenging day, battling through a series of punctures that left them 19th in the provisional standings. Lithuanian Vaidotas Zala and Paulo Fiuza also struggled, with their Prodrive Hunter encountering difficulties that set them back in the field.
The stage from Sea Camp to Alula was a visual feast, featuring rugged rock formations and sweeping views of ancient Nabataean temples.
However, the beauty of the terrain belied the harsh conditions that drivers faced, starkly contrasting the previous day’s successful performance where the BRX team’s vehicles had finished in the top six.
Looking ahead, the BRX team is set to channel their experiences from this challenging stage into a renewed push for success as the rally moves on to the 447km stage from Alula to Hail.
Loeb, a nine-time World Rally Champion with a track record of remarkable recoveries, is expected to leverage his experience to claw back lost time and chase top positions.
As the Dakar Rally continues, Loeb’s resilience and the BRX team’s determination will be key factors in their quest for victory and the World Rally Raid Championship points they seek.