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Bahrain Raid Xtreme (BRX) driver Nani Roma has maintained his position as fifth overall ahead of today’s final round of Dakar Rally 2021.
Yesterday’s stage 11, from Al Ula bound for Yanbu, proved challenging for competitors, with many kilometres to cover and difficult navigation. The second half of the stage – with a series of dunes, canyons and dry rivers – caused many drivers to lose the track and sacrifice time.
Roma, a two-time Dakar Rally winner, and co-driver Alex Winocq completed one of the rally’s most difficult stages in 18th place, with a time of 05:01:52, +27:28 behind the leader. This maintains Roma’s position as fifth overall for the sixth consecutive stage, +3:15:54 behind the overall leader.
Commenting on arrival at the bivouac in Yanbu, Roma said: “It was not an easy day. We made a few mistakes in navigation, but this is the Dakar Rally. When you make a mistake, the important thing is to remain calm and not to get nervous as that can lead to more errors. It was not our day today, but I think everyone lost time at the end with the navigation. This is part of the game – the Dakar is part speed and part navigation and we must find the compromise with both. Tomorrow we will go out like we have done every day, concentrating on navigation and maintaining focus.”
Today’s stage 12 will bring the 2021 edition to a close. Drivers must navigate a final 447km stage from Yanbu and crossing the finish line on the shore of the Red Sea in Jeddah, with 227km road and 202km special stage.
French veteran Stephane Peterhansel is poised to claim a record-extending 14th Dakar triumph today after ending the penultimate day with a 15-minute lead over Qatar’s Nasser Al Attiyah.
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