Dakar 2018: CS Santosh And Stage 10 Updates

After an unexpected break due to the cancellation of stage 9, the competitors tackled the first full stage in Argentina. The Stage 10, Salta - Belen was a 797km test, out of which 373km were allocated for the timed section. It was a very tough stage with navigational challenges.

Hero MotoSports Team Rally rider CS Santosh started the stage well but suffered a nasty crash in the second half of the stage which knocked him out for some time. But, with the intervention of the team, the Indian rider managed to finish the stage in 44th place. He is now placed in 39th position in the overall standings.

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Santosh's teammate Oriol Mena was impressive in stage 10 as he attacked from the beginning. The Spanish rider finished the stage in a commendable fourth position, just over 20 minutes adrift of the stage winner. With this result, Mena is now placed in the 14th spot in the overall standings.

Sherco TVS rider Juan Pedrero Garcia too had a very good stage and posted the tenth quickest time in adverse conditions. He also improved his overall ranking and finished the day in 17th position. Being the lone rider for his team, Garcia is now focusing on finishing the rally on a high note.

In the bikes category, KTM rider Matthias Walkner topped the tenth stage and also took the rally lead as Yamaha rider Adrien van Beveren crashed just three kilometres away from the finish. Honda riders Joan Barreda Bort and Kevin Benavides are in second and third respectively in the general rankings.

In the quad category, Argentina rider Nicolas Cavigliasso topped the timesheet in the tenth stage. The overall rally lead is held by Ignacio Casale by a comfortable margin ahead of Jeremias Gonzalez Ferioli. Cavigliasso is in third spot in the general rankings.

In the cars category, stage 10 victory went to Peugeot driver Stephane Peterhansel, the third stage victory of 2018 Dakar Rally. Toyota driver Giniel de Villiers was the second fastest man in the tenth stage. Carlos Sainz now holds over 50 minute lead ahead of Peterhansel with only four stages remaining. Qatari driver Nasser Al-Attiyah is in the third spot in the overall leaderboard.

In the trucks category, Ton van Genugten registered his second stage victory of the 2018 Dakar. His teammate Federico Villagra finished just 33 seconds behind to finish the stage in the second position. Kamaz driver Eduard Nikolaev is the overall rally leader ahead of local hero Villagra.

2018 Dakar Stage 10 Results

Motorcycles

1. Matthias Walkner (AUT) KTM
2. Pablo Quintanilla (CHL) Husqvarna
3. Gerard Farres Guell (ESP) KTM

Quads

1. Nicolas Cavigliasso (ARG) Yamaha
2. Jeremias Gonzalez FERIOLI (ARG) Yamaha
3. Ignacio Casale (CHL) Yamaha

Cars

1. Stephane Peterhansel (FRA) Peugeot
2. Giniel De Villiers (ZAF) Toyota
3. Carlos Sainz (ESP) Peugeot

Trucks

1. Ton Van Genugten (NLD) Iveco
2. Federico Villagra (ARG) Iveco
3. Siarhei Viazovich (BLR) Maz

DriveSpark Thinks!

The stage 10 of the 2018 Dakar Rally was a tough one for the crews as the day progressed. Many riders crashed, and some riders lost their way in treacherous conditions. The stage 11 is going to be the second marathon test for the bikes category as the riders will tackle a timed section of 280km.