2017 Dakar Rally - day 2: Stage victory and overall lead for Sebastien Loeb

The 2017 Dakar Rally continues with 805 km long Stage 2 from Resistencia to San Miguel de Tucuman. The fastest man on the 275-km-long timed section was Sebastien Loeb in the #309 Peugeot 3008 DKR. He needed 2 hours 6.55 minutes for such a distance, minute and 23 seconds less than second-placed Nasser Al-Attiyah (#300 Toyota Hilux Evo).

Loeb’s teammate Carlos Sainz (#304 Peugeot) was third fastest driver, 2.19 minutes slower than Loeb and just a second faster than Giniel de Villiers (#302 Toyota). The fifth fastest driver today was Nani Roma (#305 Toyota), who crossed the finish line 3 minutes 22 seconds behind Loeb.

Nasser Al-Attiyah lies in the second place after two days

The overall standings after two stages is the same as on the Stage 2. Loeb takes the overall lead, he had 28-second advantage over Al-Attiyah.

The last year’s winner and Dakar legend Stephane Peterhansel is off the pace in his #300 Peugeot. He was 6 minutes 47 seconds slower than Loeb today. After two days, he is in the seventh place, 7.26 minutes behind Loeb. Another driver who had a disappointing day was Xevi Pons. After he sensationally finished second on the Stage 1, Pons rolled out his Ford Ranger today and then lost one of the rear wheels in another accident.

Among bikers, the last year’s winner Australian Toby Price (KTM) took the stage win and jumped into the overall lead. The fastest quad driver after two days is Argentinean Pablo Copetti (Yamaha).

Check the full results after stage 2

The Stage 3, scheduled for Wednesday, January 4, features 364 kilometers of timed section and total distance of 780 kilometers between San Miguel de Tucuman and San Salvador de Jujuy.

Photos: Red Bull,