ABU DHABI // Marc Coma regained the lead in the bikes category after teammate Sam Sunderland fell from contention with a mechanical failure, while Russia’s Vladimir Vasilyev moved his Mini within sight of his first victory in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge on Wednesday.
Partnered by Konstantin Zhilstov, Vasilyev recorded the second-fastest time on the 239-kilometre Stage 4 to open a lead of 35 minutes, 36 seconds over Poland’s Adam Malysz and Rafal Marton in a Toyota Hilux.
Another Polish crew, Marek Dabrowski and Jacek Czachor, were second at the start of yesterday’s stage but saw their hopes of at least a podium finish shattered when they rolled their Toyota Hilux. The car landed on its wheels but they were well down the field at the finish.
Dabrowski’s misfortune saw Dutchman Eric van Loon climb to third in his Mini, with the UAE’s Yahya Alhelei rising to fourth place in his new Nissan pickup, despite having to reduce his speed because of overheating.
Sunderland, the Dubai-based Englishman, was increasing his overnight lead when his KTM was halted by a broken swingarm, to put him out for the day. Mechanics were assessing the damage to decide if Sunderland could start Thursday’s final stage.
His departure saw KTM teammate and seven-time Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge winner Coma end the stage leading by 0:1.11 over Portugal’s reigning FIM world champion, Paulo Goncalves, and 0:4.38 over Joan Barreda Bort. The UAE’s Mohammed Al Balooshi produced another impressive performance to climb to sixth.
ADDC LEADERBOARD
Cars
V Vasilyev – 14h35m38secs
A Malysz – 15:11.14
M Zapletal – 15:41.14
Y Al Helei – 15:45.07
S Schott – 15:59.40
Motorcycles
M Coma – 14h12m10secs
P Goncalves – 14:13.21
J Barreda Bort – 14:17.59
J Vladoms – 14:45.01
M Stanovnik – 15:40.34
sports@thenational.ae
Follow us on twitter at @SprtNationalUAE