RALLY DAKAR 2018

Sainz and Peterhansel could be penalized for lack of aid to quads
After all that has happened in the Dakar so far, there is one more case, which happened yesterday, and that could have complicated consequences for the Dakar leader, Carlos Sainz and the current third-placed Stéphane Peterhansel.A quads rider, Dutchman Kees Koolen (one of the creators of 'Booking.com'), complained that one of the Peugeot drivers - without specifying which one, as he may not have realized which car it was - hit him on the track , and that another Peugeot, as well as Yassed Al-Rahji (who has already dropped out after Saturday's stage) did not give him the obligatory help, as required by the regulation.The Peugeot drivers involved are Stéphane Peterhansel and Carlos Sainz. Today there is an afternoon meeting, 3 pm in Portugal, where the case will be analyzed and a decision taken. It is not known what can happen, since those involved will be heard, analyzed the evidence, heard witnesses and at the end will know the decision. Of course, there may be penalties for those involved, not only in time, in a penalty that can go to the exclusion of the event.It is known that a formal complaint was made to the Stewards, claiming that a Peugeot rider hit him on the Quad during the seventh stage and none of his teammates or other Mini driver stopped to rescue him: "The organization and its Commissioners told Peugeot that the pilots involved in these cases are Sainz and Peterhansel, and the Mini from Yazeed Al Rajhi. The Commissioners spoke with Peugeot and the pilots are called to make declarations. " After analyzing the case, the sanctions will be known, if they are justified.

José Luis Abreu, direto de Portugal