Dakar 2020: Van Loon becomes twelfth without problems

During the longest stage of Dakar 2020, Erik van Loon and Sébastien Delaunay are driving between the tenth and thirteenth time. In a close fight between Roma, Prokop, and Zala, they become twelfth at twenty minutes behind Carlos Sainz, who won the stage. They haven't faced any issue, besides an exploded tire, and will prepare for another long stage.

Van Loon is happy at the finish: "We have started thirteenth and we finished twelfth. There were some fast drivers behind us. In the last kilometers, we were close to some other cars and we were equal to them." However, the day is overshadowed by the death of motorcyclist Paolo Goncalves. "I wish his family and friends strength in this difficult time. My first rally, in which I was navigating, was also his first. So we have seen each other a lot. He was always kind, Dakar will miss him."

The rally will start and finish tomorrow in Wadi Al-Dawasir and has a special stage of 477 kilometers, which beautiful landscapes and long tracks. The first car will start at 8:25 (6:25 NL time) and will be at the finish around 15:00 (13:00 NL time).

Source: Press release of Van Loon Racing