Sainz gets Dakar lead back after satellite probe

AFP
Carlos Sainz reaches the end of  Stage Two of the Dakar 2013 rally in Pisco, Peru, on January 6, 2013

NAZCA, Peru (AFP) –

Carlos Sainz reaches the end of Stage Two of the Dakar 2013 rally in Pisco, Peru on Monday. 2010 winner Sainz was reinstated as overall leader at the expense of defending champion Stephane Peterhansel of France after organisers admitted that a satellite problem had hindered the Spaniard during the second stage.

2010 winner Carlos Sainz was reinstated as leader of the Dakar Rally at the expense of defending champion Stephane Peterhansel of France after organisers admitted that a satellite problem had hindered the Spaniard during the second stage.

Peterhansel, a 10-time champion on the world’s toughest auto endurance race, was initially credited with taking his Mini to victory on the second stage, a 242km timed run in and around Pisco, in 2hr 35min 38sec.

Sainz endured a nightmare session, getting lost as he tackled a tricky dune at the 75km mark, and finished outside of the top 10 after losing more than 21 minutes.

But the reason behind Sainz losing that time was not his on-board GPS but the satellites used by the race organisers, the latter said.

Sainz was handed the second stage victory and now has a 5min 05sec lead over Peterhansel in the overall standings ahead of Monday’s 343km third stage from Pisco to Nazca.

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