First Dakar victory for Loeb, but Sunderland out injured

FRANCE’S Sebastien Loeb claimed his first win of the 2018 Dakar Rally in yesterday’s fourth stage as Peugeot swept the podium in San Juan de Marcona in Peru’s Ica Region.

Britain’s Sam Sunderland was forced to end his defence of the motorbike title through injury.

Loeb finished one minute, 35 seconds ahead of teammate Carlos Sainz and over three minutes in front of defending champion Stephane Peterhansel.

But Peterhansel remains the overall leader with a near sevenminute advantage over fellow Peugeot driver and compatriot Loeb.

“I’m not going to gain time by losing stages,” a delighted Loeb said.

“It was a very good day, especially in a very difficult stage, with the dunes and the navigation needed. “We’re not complaining.” Cyril Despres (Peugeot) and Nasser al-Attiyah (Toyota) lost their places in the top three to Loeb and Sainz, who is third and about 13 minutes behind Peterhansel, after a terrible day in the dry and hot Peruvian desert.

Despres had a rear wheel break at 180km, while al-Attiyah was forced to stop several times and, unable to race at a normal pace, lost more than 30 minutes.

Reigning motorbike champion Sunderland dropped out of this year’s race with a back injury and was taken to Lima for medical checks, allowing Adrien van Beveren to take the overall lead after winning yesterday’s fourth stage.

Sunderland, riding for KTM and leading the overall rankings coming into yesterday’s stage, withdrew after injuring his back while entering a jump.

“Forced to abandon this year’s event @Sundersam is receiving medical examinations in Lima, Peru, following a crash today on stage four of the @dakar . . . get well soon Sam,” KTM wrote on Twitter.

Frenchman Van Beveren finished five minutes ahead of teammate Xavier de Soultrait – and seven minutes in front of the Austrian KTM rider Matthias Walkner.

The Yamaha rider takes the lead in the overall standings.