Peterhansel eyes 13th Dakar title

9-time world rally champion Loeb returns

ASUNCION, Dec 30, (AFP): Stephane Peterhansel targets a 13th Dakar title next month, describing the gruelling 2017 rally as the most intense he has faced and fearing the physical effects of racing at South America’s punishing high altitudes.

The 51-year-old Frenchman clinched his sixth win on four wheels in this year’s event to add to six motorcycle triumphs since his debut back in 1988 when the famed race was still held in Africa.

But when the 39th running of the Dakar starts in Paraguay on Monday, many in the field will be happy just to negotiate the six days spent at 3,000 metres or more above sea level.

“We all fear a little the time spent at altitude. I fear for the teams, the staff, mechanics,” said Peterhansel, who won the 2016 event in a Peugeot after wins in 2004, 2005 and 2007 with Mitsubishi and 2012 and 2013 victories behind the wheel of a Mini.

“Last year there were cases when mechanics didn’t feel well. This is going to be the most intense Dakar we have done in South America.”

The 9,000km race will start in Paraguay, cross into Argentina, negotiate the Andes in Bolivia before returning to Argentina and a finish at Buenos Aires on January 14.

The only scheduled rest day on January

This undated photo shows Swiss cyclist Ferdinand ‘Ferdi’ Kubler being carried after winning a cycling race. Swiss rider Ferdinand ‘Ferdi’ Kubler, 97 passed away on Dec 30.

(AFP) jockey Sheikh Yousef Al-Sabah who took part in two showjumping events, coming in the second and third places. His compatriot Ghanima Al-Othman also came in fourth in position in her respective competition.

The tournament - which witnessed the participation of jockeys from 11 GCC, Arab, and European countries - is part of the Arab qualification rounds for an international tournament to be held in the US next year. (KUNA)