Dakar: Robby Gordon shines in Stage 9

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Today's stage took the drivers and riders from Antofagasta to Iquique. It was a two-part stage kept the competitors busy and will continue the climb to the North of the continent, between oceans and mountains. The stage was 556 km long.

American Robby Gordon has given another victory to the Hummer team with a total time of 6h25m21s today. He beat Frenchman and Dakar leader Stephane Peterhansel (MINI) by 1m38s.

In the overall standings, Peterhansel is still in a lead by 5m58s over Gordon.

Behind Gordon and Peterhansel, Spaniard Nani Roma (MINI) has taken third place. Roma finished 8m37s behind the today's stage winner.

The fourth placed driver, Krzysztof Holowczic (MINI), arrived home 10m39s behind the American. In the overall standings, the two men are in reverse order: the Polish driver is third, 16m49s behind the leader and the Spaniard is fourth, 19m26s behind the leader.

Due to an insurmountable problem with his alternator drive belt, on the face of it, Nasser Al-Attiyah decided to throw in the towel after 174 km of the first section of the day's special.

Stage 9 classification:

1. Robby Gordon (Hummer)
2. Stephane Peterhansel (MINI) at 1m38s
3. Nani Roma (MINI) at 8m37s

Overall positions:

1. Stephane Peterhansel (MINI)
2. Robby Gordon (Hummer) at 5m58
3. Krzysztof Holowczyc (MINI) at 16m49s