Cyril Despres (BIKES):

Orlando Terranova (AUTOS): “We were very lucky to win. The logical candidate to the victory was Nani (Roma), but he had a problem with his gearbox and we enjoyed it. Paulo (co-driver) was very happy because this was his first international race. It is a good start of season. Winning is a nice feeling.”

Sergio Lafuente (QUADS 4X2): “This is a double joy to win both the stage and the competition. Yesterday I was a little sad because the quad has not worked well but now we smile again. I liked this last stage because there was many closed curves. The quad was very responsive, it vibrated a bit yesterday because the mechanic went to try it and he had a little accident. His nickname is Ken Block. I am new on this sport, it is only my second year, I am very happy.”

Daniel Mazzucco (QUADS 4×4): “I expected a harder race, but It was still very nice. Everything went well, from the six pilots who accompanied me, all arrived. Today’s special was a sort of rally, it was fun. The competition had a good level, with good drivers and good teams. The best remember I have of this Desafio Litoral is the mud, it was very fun. I want to dedicate my victory to Fucheta Andrés, a friend who has a serious problem, this triumph is for him.”

Omar Yoma (UTV): “I am very happy to have won. The race offered everything that I expected, so I really enjoyed. It was very hard but fortunately we were able to get a good result. Desafio Litoral brought me a lot of experience; we went through beautiful places, in the middle of the jungle, but also over sandy tracks.”

Statements of the Dakar Challenge’s winners

Jeremías Israel (BIKES): “This is a very nice surprise to have won this award. Reach the end of this competition was not easy; that’s why I want to thank all my team and my sponsors. The yesterday’s first 100 kilometers of stage was very hard, I drove very fast, trying to catch up Paco (Mauricio Gómez), but when I arrived at the CP1, my rear wheel was completely destroyed. As I have not much experience, I was worried and I thought I could not finish. This is why I drove slower and I lost the fourth position. I arrived today at the middle of a dust cloud and I said, “relax, I’m close to the end, I will finish.”I’m very happy.”

Francisco Bartucci (QUADS): “The stage was very fast. Honestly, I knew I was in good condition to win the race, but I did not have chance over the two stages where I broke, and I lost a lot of time. But when all goes well, I am confident in the fight for victory. Winning the Dakar Challenge makes me happy, we must now do some adjustments to get a more reliable quad, and make better times.”

Roberto Recalde (Autos): “We are very excited. Our objective was to win the Dakar Challenge, and we succeeded. Our car was solid. My co-driver and I had no experience in rally cross and navigation system, but we still manage to keep up with the paste of the more experience drivers”

After six days of tough competition, with a variety of roads and highly variable weather conditions, Desafío Litoral, second round of the Argentinean Rally Cross Country Championship, closed their first edition with a very good balance and allowing three competitors reach their first participation in the Dakar.

This afternoon, all competitors were awarded in the prize ceremony that took place with the presence of a great number of public and attended by the Minister of National Tourism, Enrique Meyer, the Governor of the Province Chaco, Jorge Capitanich, the Improtur Executive Secretary, Leonardo Boto and the Mayor of the City of Bella Vista, Nancy Sand.

The story of the day

With a short but demanding stage, competitors started running the last kilometers of the race with full attention in a road that contained some difficulties and surprises. This was a stage in which no one could rely or lose concentration.

Today were no surprises in Motorcycles and Frenchman Cyril Despres ended Desafío Litoral winning the last special of the race and the overall qualification. He was followed during this last day by the Argentinean Mauricio Gómez, who had another great performance to end the day 51 seconds behind Despres.

The French driver of KTM was followed in the overall qualification by his teammate Jacub Przygonski and Mauricio Gómez. Moreover, Pablo Rodriguez finished in fourth place and the three-time champion of Argentina, Javier Pizzolito, in fifth place.

In Cars, today was Roma who won the stage of the day, but this was not enough to recover the difference between him and Orlando Terranova, who was the overall winner in the category of four wheels with 26m 39s over Roma. The Chilean Boris Garafulic completed the podium, Omar Gándara finished in fourth place and Roberto Recalde in fifth.

Moreover, Quads 4×2 were one more time dominated by the Uruguayan Sergio Lafuente, who wins his fifth stage of the race and was the overall winner of the race over Gastón González and Sebastián Foche. Fourth was Francisco Bartucci and fifth Germán Wolenberg.

Meanwhile, the winner of the day in Quads 4×4 was Claudio Cavigliasso, but Daniel Mazzuco was the overall qualification winner followed by Ezio Blangino and Cavigliasso. The first five positions were completed by Pablo Ríos and Pablo Bustamante,

Finally, the Depetris brothers won in UTV the last stage of the competition, with Juan Pablo in first position and Juan Alberto in second place. Meanwhile, Omar Yoma was the overall qualification winner followed by Alberto and Pablo Depetris. Hugo Zucchini and Carlos González were fourth and fifth.

Three new names are written for the 2013 Dakar 

The start of the next edition of the Dakar that will be at Lima has three new names after today Dakar Challenge definition on the first Desafío Litoral edition. Roberto Recalde (Paraguay), Jeremías Israel (Chili) and Francisco Bartucci (Argentina) won a direct ticket for the Dakar 2013.

Recalde, on the Cars category, is the first Paraguayan confirmed for next Dakar and he is now waiting for the start in Lima next 5th July. Roberto Recalde completes a solid job during the whole race and ends his participation at the Desafío Litoral with a fifth place in the overall which allows him to win the Dakar Challenge over Fernando Bradach and another Paraguayan driver, Milciades Fretes Rubiani. This way, Recalde takes his ticket directly to his first Dakar.

Meanwhile, the other entry was divided, as planned, between the best amateur rider on Bikes and the best amateur rider on a combined Quad classification. This way, at the bikes category, the Chilean Jeremías Israel was the winner over Juan Cruz Ortiz and Jorge Aguilar, and thanks to that he obtain a half entry for next Dakar 2013.

In the other hand, Argentinean Francisco Bartucci was, thanks to his solid job during this sixs days of race, the best of all the amateurs Quad riders and, after beat Alexis Hernández and Daniel Domaszewski, he erns the other half entry to start next Dakar from Lima in January.

This way, the first edition of a Dakar Challenge in South America is closed and, thanks to this, Dakar 2013 gets three new names from South America on its list for the start in Lima to Santiago de Chile, next January.

The last day of the Desafío Litoral, the shortest in terms of kilometers, will not be something simple but absolutely the opposite. The route is quite different from what was previously seen and it is almost unprecedented in Chaco.

The section of the competition on a sandy surface goes through a complex path full of palm trees, estuaries, and bridges over rivers which flow into the Paraná.

The first part is very attractive for a fast driving over fast and hairpin bends and then other bends that are slow and have great changes in the radius.

Ahead the road there is a scrub of palm trees that plow through a winding road that changes the course and the height so that the competitors make the last effort to make it.

Finally, there is a twisty area over a loose road which will add suspense to the end and will add the cherry on top of this competition that will expose the topography of the Litoral to the most.

Nani Roma (2° AUTOS): 

Orlando Terranova (1^° AUTOS): Today’s stage was too fast. It would be nice that all the stage was the same than the last part, but the area is like that, and we’re lucky to be here. Today we have managed our lead, without making mistakes. This stage was very bored, very fast; there were 25 straight line kilometers. Today was the hardest were the dust, the quads do shift and their sentinel does not work, or they do not listen, it’s very dangerous.”

Tadeuz Blazusiak (19° BIKES): “Today’s stage was easier than the yesterday one because we drove almost all the time sitting. The shoulder makes me a little sore but it does not bother me. The stage was very fast from start to the finish. I stayed close to Cyril (Despres) Until CP1, but at 40 kilometers from the finish, I saw him on the roadside, and I stopped to change his tire. He is leading the race, and I am far, so I continued with its broken wheel. I have not been able to do much, my top speed approaching 80 km / h, but I’m glad I came.”

Mauricio Gómez (3°BIKES – best argentinean): “I’m very happy. That’s incredible. When I got to the last sector, and I saw the KTM bikes was very close, I could not believe it. The races are like that, we all had problems one day with tires. I took advantage of the stop of Cyril (Despres) because of his flat tire. This was a very fast step with high speeds curves, fully. I continue to pursue my dream, it’s amazing.”

Jacub Przyigonski (2° BIKES): “Today’s stage was very fast, I had problems with my gearbox, I was able to drive only until the fourth gear. I’m sick and I had some problems with my bike but I got to the end of the running day, I am second overall, and I’m happy.”

Cyril Despres (1° BIKES): “It was a little complicated stage, especially for the problem that I had with my rear tire that was cut about 60 kilometers from the end so I had to stop and wait for my teammate to change it. I didn’t waste too much time but I’m a little angry because i stopped in the middle of the stage.”

Javier Pizzolito (5° BIKES): “This stage was similar to yesterday. I had problems one more time with the GPS. It didn’t start and then was loosen so I had to stop five or six times. However I’m fine, I need to finish because it’s my return to competition and the kick start for my second semester. My physical is well; I have no limitation, only out of rhythm”.

Pablo Rodríguez (4° BIKES): “It was a fast stage. First we were riding very fast trying to reach the leaders. Then I had problems with my rear tire so I decided to slow the speed to reach to the final. I’m very happy to arrive on second place.”

The penultimate stage of the competition had a lot of top stories in different categories. On one hand, today there wasn’t a KTM in the first place of the day because Mauricio Gomez  was the winner , while Nani Roma won Auto, Francisco Bartucci in Quads 4×2, Claudio Cavigliasso in Quads 4×2 and Juan Pablo Depetris in UTV.

The story of the day

Before starting the fifth stage, the category of Bikes had important news to discuss, since in the final hours of last night “Chaleco” Lopez made ​​official his retirement after the engine problems he had during the fourth stage and also was confirmed a penalty of 11 minutes to Mauricio Gomez for speeding during the fifth special.

But despite this penalty, Mauricio “Paco” Gómez confirmed his great moment in the race by winning the stage and becoming the first Argentinean to reach this result in the category of two wheels. In second place and completing an outstanding 1-2 for Argentines finished Pablo Rodríguez, who reached his best finish in a stage in the competition

Meanwhile, today was not a good day for the KTM team riders. Cyril Despres suffered a broken rear tire of his bike 60 kilometers by the end, just when he was winning the special. The Frenchman had to wait the arrival of his teammate, Tadeuz Blazusuiak, who gave him his own rear wheel to finish the stage. Meanwhile, Jacub Przygonski suffered disadvantages in the gearbox of his bike and lost some time. Despite of all this, Despres still leading the overall qualification with a 3m 44s advantage over his teammate Jacub Przyigonski, while the third is Gomez after his victory of today.

In Cars, the Spanish Nani Roma could recover from the problems experienced yesterday and win the stage for more than three minutes over Terranova, who after all continues leading the overall qualification with an advantage of 28m 28s over Roma. Further back appears Boris Garafulic, Omar Gandara and Paraguayan Roberto Recalde, who leads the Dakar Challenge in the category.

The category of Quads 4×2 was witnessed of a fascinating definition of this fifth stage, with three drivers locked in just 22 seconds. Bartucci Francisco won the day with 8 seconds of advantage over Gaston Gonzalez and Daniel Domaszewski finished third 22 seconds behind the winner. However, Sergio Lafuente, fourth on the stage, stills leading the overall qualification. Meanwhile, the other category of Cuads, the 4×4, is still dominated by Daniel Mazzucco, although today the winner of the fifth special was his teammate, Claudio Cavigliasso.

Finally, Juan Pablo Depetris repeated partial victory in UTV, the category where the Yoma Omar continues leading with more than 40 minutes ahead of his followers.

Details Stage 6

The last day of the Desafío Litoral, the shortest in terms of kilometers, will not be something simple but absolutely the opposite. The route is quite different from what was previously seen and it is almost unprecedented in Chaco.

The section of the competition on a sandy surface goes through a complex path full of palm trees, estuaries, and bridges over rivers which flow into the Paraná.

The first part is very attractive for a fast driving over fast and hairpin bends and then other bends that are slow and have great changes in the radius.

Ahead the road there is a scrub of palm trees that plow through a winding road that changes the course and the height so that the competitors make the last effort to make it.

Finally, there is a twisty area over a loose road which will add suspense to the end and will add the cherry on top of this competition that will expose the topography of the Litoral to the most.

Start time: 9:00
Race distance: 85,52 kilometers
Link Distance: 87,84 kilometers
Arrival time: 9:51
Finish Podium and Prize Ceremony: 14:30

It will be one long section that will have different surfaces. There are firm and fast ones, also sandy and twisty, and there are changes of path which results in an intense use of the road book necessary.

At the beginning is twisty, with many options but only one is correct so the speed of the section will provide the shrewdness to drive from very early. After the fast section, there are jumps on a narrow path surrounded by estuaries which will mean precision so as to not to make mistakes that will mean losing too much time.

When the first sandy section comes, the road book becomes essential so as to no go into the wrong path and make it to the second fast section, find the right crossroads and go back to another sandy section.

The long and final part combines fast sections in narrow roads with twisty and loose ones which will be the key as the competition moves forward. This day, surely, no one will experience the same thing all along this stage, each competitor will cover for it in a different way and there is where they will find differences in the overall classification of the day.

Nani Roma (2nd CARS):

Cyril Despres (1st BIKES): “It was a very quick stage. On the first part, I met a lot of animals, mainly birds; this is why I drove very carefully, because a collision with a bird at 150 km / h can make you fall, or worse. Today the track area was dry, and the first part was very pleasant, with sand and many curves. The second part was much harder and faster.

Orlando Terranova (1st CARS): “The race has changed, from the mud and the jungle, we moved to much sandier, faster and damaged tracks. The first section was much more fun than the second one, which was very fast. Nani had a problem with his gearbox at kilometer 80 or 90 of the first section. Until then, we had fun and we were recovering time, one minute. After, we could relax a little bit. It was very hot, but physically, this was not a very demanding stage. I’m happy.”

Chaleco López (was 2^nd in Bikes before retirement): “It was a bad day, I am very angry because I felt great with the bike, I drove fast, and I was leading the stage. In this sport, the bike and the driver must be well. Today the bike failed and I could not do anything. I must keep the positive things: I won a stage, I finished third on another, and I had the lead on the last on. What can I say more, I felt good to fight for the victory.”

Sergio Lafuente (1st Quads 4X2): “This stage was quite similar to the Dakar ones. The quad was very heavy in the sand, and I came back to reality when the bikes leaders surpassed me. We trained and we’re here to win, the competition is not over yet and we will maintain this speed. I preferred the second stage, which was much slower; it was a sandy stage with few curves. Tomorrow we will accelerate, and try to not break something.”

Daniel Mazzucco (1st Quads 4×4): “I take the stages one by one, quietly, because we approach the end, and I want to pass the finish line. I preferred the Misiones‘s stages, where I had much more fun. This one was much straighter.”

Ezio Blangino (2nd Quads 4×4):” I’m surprised because of my victory. I knew I was close to the race leader because I did my best. Everything went well, but I was not expecting to win the stage. Today, I rode very well, unlike the last few days. The first part was fast, then we passed on a sandy area, very heavy and the last section was beautiful, with many quick curves. We came to try to win, that’s why tomorrow I will do my best.”

Tadeuz Blasuziak (22nd Bikes): “I enjoyed a lot. This stage is very different to the last days ones, I really liked. It included impressive curves, which can be traded at very high speeds. I am getting used to take the speed, and a bit more control under braking. When we were on the road, I thought I could not finish the race, but the adrenaline got me excited and I felt less pain. I’m happy. »

Jacub Przygonski (2nd Bikes): “Today, thanks to the good weather, I didn’t have problems driving. The course was straighter, with fewer holes. Last night I was sick and I took antibiotics, it is not easy to compete in these conditions. I’m satisfied of my second place overall, but it remains two stages, we’ll see what happens.”

Boris Garafulic (3rd Cars): « Nous avons parcouru la première partie avec trois pneus de rechange, et suivant les conseils de Nani (Roma), nous avons effectué la seconde avec deux. Tout a alors complètement changé, cela n’a vraiment rien à voir. Nous avons utilisé trois pneus de rechange durant les premiers jours, et c’est incroyable comment cela te change le fonctionnement d’une voiture. Demain nous allons rouler à notre rythme, concentrés, et en essayant de s’amuser, sans faire de bêtises et risquer d’abîmer la voiture. »

Boris Garafulic (3rd Cars): “We ran the first section with three spare tires, and, following the advice of Nani (Roma), we conducted the second one with two spare tires. Everything has changed completely, that is incredible how the car operation can change, just changing tires. We used three spare tires during the first days, and it’s incredible how the car operation can change. Tomorrow we will ride at our own speed, concentrated, and trying to have fun, without making mistakes and risking damage the car.”

Mauricio Gómez (3rd Bikes): “I am lucky to arrive at third place. Chaleco (Lopez) was stopped on the roadside. I’m happy because I still run well. The stage was fast with a sandy area. The bike has dropped slightly in performance but it still working well. I’ll take the next two steps in the same way, quiet, with a good speed.”

Pablo Rodríguez (6th Bikes): “It‘s going well, the stage was very fast, with a lot of dust. There were a lot of quads before me and I had wast a lot of time. Fortunately, I arrived on the sandy part, which I love, and on which I feel good. I did not know Israel, he is a very nice guy and we drove together. He is on course to win the Dakar Challenge.”

The winners of the day were Cyril Despres in Bikes, Orlando Terranova in Cars, Sergio Lafuente in Quads 4×2, Ezio Blangino in Quads 4×4 and Juan Depetris in UTV.

We highlight the contribution made by the Government of the Province of Corrientes through their Ministries of Health, Safety, Government and the Provincial Police, who deployed their forces to allow an organized development in all provincial highways and roads along where the race took place.

The story of the day
Today’s stage, in addition to extensive and demanding, was highlighted by the speed of the leaders of the way, Cyril Despres on his KTM 450 finished the day with an average speed of 123 kilometers per hour, while Orlando Terranova on his BMW ran the 427 kilometers with an average of 130 kilometers per hour.

This fourth stage was also full of news at the top of the Car’s and Bike’s overall qualifications because of the problems of Francisco López and Nani Roma.

The retirement of Francisco “Chaleco” López was the news of the day in the category of two wheels. The Chilean had problems in his bike on the second part of the stage, just when he was winning.

Cyril Despres was able to consolidate his leader position after winning the fourth stage. Now, The Frenchman had an advantage of 5m 44s over his teammate, Jacub Przygoński. Meanwhile, the Argentinean Mauricio Gómez had a great performance and now is the new third

In Cars, Orlando Terranova recovered the top of the overall qualification after winning the fourth stage with a great job with his BMW. Nani Roma lost the first position after suffering problems with the gearbox of his Mini All4 Racing.

With the fourth stage already done, now is Terranova the new leader in the Cars category, 31m 39s in advantage of Roma, while in third position remains Boris Garafulic, more than one hour behind the leader.

At the Quads 4×2 category, Sergio Lafuente, the rider that today opened the stage after won on second day, won again a stage, third consecutive, and extends differences over his immediate followers, Gastón González and Sebastián Foche. This riders are now 10m 26s and 33m 19s respectively behind the Uruguayan leader.

In other hand, today Quads 4×4 category was won by the rider from Córdoba province, Ezio Blangino, and with this results is the new second of the race, just behind  Daniel Mazzucco, who remains as a leader. In this category, Pablo Rodríguez is the new third in the overall.

Finally, on the UTV, Juan Pablo Depetris won today the fourth stage, but this result doesn’t change anything on the overall, as Omar Yoma remains on the leading position, following by Juan Depetris and third today winner, Juan Pablo Depetris.

Stage 5 in details:

One day away from the end of the competition, the fifth stage will be – for sure – the fastest of all, but not the simplest. Some of the sections are very demanding in terms of driving so it will be necessary not to be over-confident.

It will be one long section that will have different surfaces. There are firm and fast ones, also sandy and twisty, and there are changes of path which results in an intense use of the road book necessary.

At the beginning is twisty, with many options but only one is correct so the speed of the section will provide the shrewdness to drive from very early. After the fast section, there are jumps on a narrow path surrounded by estuaries which will mean precision so as to not to make mistakes that will mean losing too much time.

When the first sandy section comes, the road book becomes essential so as to no go into the wrong path and make it to the second fast section, find the right crossroads and go back to another sandy section.

The long and final part combines fast sections in narrow roads with twisty and loose ones which will be the key as the competition moves forward. This day, surely, no one will experience the same thing all along this stage, each competitor will cover for it in a different way and there is where they will find differences in the overall classification of the day.

Departure Time: 9:00
Race distance: 292,88 kilómetros
Link distance: 160,92 kilómetros
Arrival time: 11:54

Nani Roma

Orly Terranova (2° AUTOS): “This morning we wanted to start, but unfortunately it was impossible. The team leader has arrived today and everyone is working for tomorrow’s stage which will be the longest of the competition. Tomorrow, the field will change and, with good weather, we should have fun and do a good race.”

Cyril Despres (1° BIKES): I’m pretty happy because this is the first time I participate in a rally since the Dakar. Yesterday, like many drivers, I had many falls. This morning I had contractures and my whole body ached, but I’m happy I am not injured. Today is rest day because we did not run the step, but it does break the rhythm a bit. It’s the organization’s call and we have to accept it. Tomorrow, I’ll do my best.

Tadeuz Blazusiak (BIKES): Yesterday I fell, it was not so hard but unlucky. My left shoulder hurts but I know it is not broken, due to my experience. This rest day is important, because I won’t have to force my shoulder. Tomorrow I’m certain it will be a difficult day, I will see how the field is, to learn and enjoy. I will try to treat the pain so as to be able to go as fast as I can.

Jacub Przygonski (3° BIKES): Yesterday, under such conditions, it was a very hard day. I think it was a good idea to suspend the race because the roads were waterlogged, and it was impossible to ride in total safety. We are in the middle of the race, so I think the next three stages will be very important.

Chaleco López (2° BIKES): I think this rest day is good for all, not just for the physical, because we did not run much, but because we did not get much sleep, and we accumulate many hours without sleep. Tomorrow we will race on a different ground on which I can go faster. I know that (Jacub)Przygonski and (Cyril) Despres are very  quick but tomorow I will ride over a field that I like better.

The stage is divided into two sections; the first one is more demanding in terms of driving and navigation. The sandy surface dominates practically the whole stage, starting in a narrow and fast section to get to a long section with footprints that call for a careful driving.

After a water splash, the stage has a short fast section to enter the area with footprints that then are lost. This leads to a cross country area where drivers have to dodge many lakes of different sizes, all of them closer to a big estuary which marks the course of the competition.

The end of the first section has a sandy section, which is not deep, but it calls for attention so as to keep the course of action. Pace changes are the key to this section, plus road conditions which continually change.

The second section is a little bit faster, but by the middle part competitors will have to drive over an old footprint along an embankment where any mistake they make has a price to be paid.

However, the end of the stage is very fast and it goes all along an important estuary which characterizes the area and the province of Corrientes.