Dakar 2021: A lot of damage and loss of time for Van Loon on the first stage

Erik van Loon and Sébastien Delaunay have a strong start on the first stage. With intervals in the top ten, they seem on the way to a good result, until the moment they end up in the dust of a motorcyclist. In the dust, they hit two large stones at high speed and caused a lot of damage to the Toyota Hilux. After they get help from the T5 truck, they were able to continue. The finish has been reached, but the loss of time is enormous.

“This is very frustrating,” says Van Loon. “The Dakar lasts 12 days, we started well and did nothing crazy. Because of the dust, we hit two stones and practically the entire right front side is broken. Fortunately, we manage to get the car running again, with the help of the men in the T5 truck. It wouldn't have happened without Dave, Bob and Rob, so thank you guys! Now it will be hard work in the bivouac to get everything right for tomorrow. The chance of a good result is now a long way off, but if this is the first day then a lot can still happen. We will do our best to drive good daily results. ”

The second stage goes from Bisha to Wadi Ad-Dawasir. The stage is 457 kilometers long with a lot of sand and the first dunes of this Dakar Rally.