The 14th edition of the Rally Dakar 2017 (results). And again this year, for the ninth consecutive time, the event was held in South America. This is due to the continuous threats addressed to the organizers by a group of African terrorists which led to the cancellation of the 2008 edition, and the relocation of the following ones to the American continent.
The winners Dakar 2017
Departure from Assunciòn on January 2nd. Twelve stages between Paraguay, Bolivia and Argentina, with Buenos Aires closing the competition. In the heavy vehicles category, the victory was won Nikolaev, Yakovlev e Rybakov with their Kamaz. The Russian crew finished with a result / time of 27 hours and 58 minutes. Behind them three other Russians always with Kamaz. It is about Captains, Akhmadeev e Leonov which concluded with a delay of about 18 minutes. Disappointment instead for Gerard deRooy and its Iveco. Starting as the favorite, the Dutch driver finished third 41 minutes late.
In quads another result for Russia, which finds itself on the top step of the podium. It is about Sergey Karyakin who closed with a result / time of 39 hours and 18 minutes. The great recovery of the favorite was useless Ignatius Casale, detached by an hour and 14 minutes. Thirteenth is the Frenchwoman of Italian origins Camellia Liparoti about 12 hours late.
For motorcycles triumph of Sam sunderland and his KTM. With 32 hours and 6 minutes, the Englishman was behind the other KTM driver by 32 minutes Matthias walkner. Third Gerard farres always with KTM, but with the Himoinsa Team.
As for cars, Peugeot literally dominated. The first three places speak only French with the victory of Stephane Peterhansel, Followed by Sébastien Loeb e Cyril Depress. Peterhansel finished in 28 hours and 49 minutes, 5 hours behind nine-time rally champion Loeb.
Dakar 2017: the Italians in the race
They certainly may not have triumphed, but our compatriots did stand out anyway. In cars Gianluca Rates and his Ford finished in 42nd position 40 hours behind Peterhansel. Perhaps not a placement to be framed, but Tassi's achievement still deserves praise. This is because in 2003, following a bad accident, the Italian driver lost the use of his lower limbs. It must not have been easy to face, and close, the most dangerous competition in the world. The brothers, on the other hand, are in thirty-first place By Lorenzo and their Toyota they gave themselves one last joy before their well-deserved retirement. Aldo and Dario are in fact close to 60, and the Dakar is certainly not a trip out of town.
Among the cars also an all-Italian vehicle. We are talking about the Panda, or rather the PanDakar. Driven by Julius Verzeletti e Antonio Cabini, the all-Italian team finished in third from last position with a bad result. This was due to some mechanical problems that slowed down the crew in the first phase of the event. Not bad, however, for what is the first production car to finish the race. Penultimate me instead Shingle e The pit aboard the Ford.
In motorcycles Simone Agazzi on his Honda he finished in thirty-seventh place. Agazzi preceded another Italian by one position Alexander Rouso. They close Lucchese (51 °) Troy (58 °) and Peak (85 °).
In the last two Italian positions in the trucks with Calabria, Calubini e Fortuna that precede Del Mare
, Giovannitti e Cini.